Prime Chuck
Schumer, at ferry, set to steer Dems’ ship in D.C.
WASHINGTON — Chuck Schumer, poised to become the most powerful Democrat in Congress, stood Thursday on a platform by the Staten Island ferry terminal brandishing a model boat for four reporters and several passers-by.
In line to become the Senate’s Democratic leader in 2017, the New York senator has bigger fish to fry. Colleagues consider his support for a Senate bill that could block a nuclear framework deal with Iran critical. The White House is working to soften his view.
After his ferry terminal appearance, Schumer received a personal briefing from Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman, a lead negotiator of the framework, the first of what he said will be many briefings. He refuses to discuss his position on the Senate measure.
Schumer, 64, oversees Senate Democrats’ messaging and policy, deciding what measures they push on the Senate floor. He stays involved in recruiting candidates to run in 2016, when Democrats hope to recapture the senate, which would make him majority leader.
But during the recent twoweek recess, the senator worked to advertise his commitment to the most small-bore local issues.
On Thursday, Schumer urged one of two new ferries for which he helped win funding be named for former Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro.
“As someone who helped procure the money for them, I think I’ll have a little say,” Schumer said.
Employing a small piece of theater to sell the event, Schumer, kept his suggestion secret until he pulled a model ferry with “James Molinaro” on it from a red shopping bag taped with a sheet of paper bearing a black question mark.
He’s a politician unwillingly to take local press for granted — and eager to remind voters of his work on issues they care about.
Schumer’s differences with the White House on Iran also have local roots — reflecting the skepticism about the Iran deal among Jewish voters in New York. Schumer, who says he’ll keep visiting all 62 New York counties each year, eschews town-hallstyle events where he could take questions on national issues. He hits
each event with a plan for winning local media coverage.
He raised a shopping bag for cameras Monday at the opening of a new grocery store in Rochester, then celebrated Jet-Blue's new service to Albany at an event there. He hit Orange, Dutchess and Ulster counties Tuesday, talking up whitewater kayak permit approval, malt barley insurance and a change in FEMA policy affecting a sinkhole in Kingston.
“I will never forget New York,” Schumer said Thursday while greeting passing commuters, including several who posed for pictures with the senator and a group of high school lacrosse players who looked unsure who he was.
“I learn what’s going on in New York and it helps me do my job better in Washington,” Schumer said. “I’m gonna try my very best to do both and I think I will. God blessed me with a lot of energy.”