The Proxmire Way
Like Mark Schmitt, I do recall Howard Metzenbaum rather fondly. Of course, my cards are firmly on the table as arguing that if Mark gets his wish for one Senator who will make the kind of difference he seeks, it would be the one throwaway example he includes in his historical example: William Proxmire. Metz's methods involved more teamwork and coordination among the liberal faction of the Senate. Given the lessons of Dashle's defeat, I don't think there's a big demand to take up this role and have it branded with the Democratic brand. The Proxmire model is more singular, as Prox did a lot more on his own ... the Genocide speeches being an example ... the committee hearing rooms being a major force of his as well. Prox also knew how to affect things through publicity, as any victim of the Golden Fleece Awards would tell you. In short, great idea Mark ... but look for one lone ranger to carry out the mission, not an organizational task master such as Metzenbaum was. Once more, I refer the world to Joe Biden's glorious praise of Proxmire upon his retirement: The Senate has room for precisely ONE William Proxmire.