As for leadership, it was said earlier that if Reid left office Schumer would get the job. That was before E. Warren and others of her ilk were in power/vocal. Schumer has close ties with Wall St. and the Democrats are increasingly weary of being closely tied w/ them; it is possible, for sure, that Schumer wouldn't be the Leader, though he desperately wants it.
Schumer is well-respected, although I am biased coming from NY. That being said, he has been given a ton of credit for the Democrats' rebirth in many states starting after Bush won a 2nd term and the GOP picked up several seats in the '04 cycle.
