Schumer in the spotlight: Reid taps him for bigger Dem role

From Tom Brune in Washington:

US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says in a "Dear Colleagues" letter that in a bid to "strengthen our strategic operations," he is moving to merge the Democratic Policy Commitee and Senate Democratic Communications "into a joint operation."

US Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) would chair the new office.

"...We must better integrate our legislative- and message-crafting functions into a central, coordinated nucleus managing policy, press and politics," Reid wrote.

Reid told those returning from the campaign trail "I know you are... bringing with you fresh reminders of how much work we have left to help our economy regain its strength."