“Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) has formally launched his campaign to take over as the No. 2 Senate Democrat, vowing to guide an ’emerging generation’ of the party’s leadership,” the Washington Post reports.
“Schatz, 52, is pitching himself for Democratic whip as someone focused on the tedious work on the Senate floor jousting with Republicans to help shape the debate. A regular in the Senate gym’s pickup basketball games, Schatz likened his approach to how some people ‘just love rebounding,’ diving into scrums for loose balls that are not pretty but can determine the outcome.”
Said Schatz: “Not everybody loves the aspect of politics that occurs on the floor. This is where I think I can be most useful.”

