Chuck Schumer

John Ensign

U.S. Sen. John Ensign (R-Las Vegas) isn't exactly making an endorsement in the race to succeed him as National Republican Senatorial Committee chair, but he does seem to think U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) would be a good fit.

In a conference call with reporters today, Ensign said Cornyn and U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), who are both said to be gunning for the post, "would be fantastic" in heading up the GOP's Senate campaign arm. But the Nevada Senator reserved particular praise for Cornyn, a first-term Senator who currently serves as the Republican Conference vice chairman.

Ensign explained that having a strong geographical fundraising base would was key for the job and Cornyn, "would bring a lot of people from Texas."

Check back next week to view my Convention Sketchpads from the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis.

DENVER - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Searchlight) today said Democrats aimed to win to at least four U.S. Senate seats but stopped short of saying the party could win a filibuster-proof 60-seat majority.

“We’re going to work with whatever we have,” Reid told PolitickerNV.com when asked of the importance of hitting the 60 mark.

“I’m going to downplay expectations rather than overplay expectations,” he added. “I’d like to win at least four, so we’ll see what happens.”

With Democrats holding 49 seats and the chamber’s two Independents caucusing with the party, Reid will need to claim nine seats this fall to obtain a filibuster-proof majority. The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan Washington tip sheet, currently places three Republican-held seats as tilting in the Democrats’ direction with as many as another seven GOP seats within reach.