The Hill News

The Republican and Democratic chairmen of their parties'  Senate campaign committees on Tuesday traded light jabs over the recent Democratic leadership elections.

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (Texas) called "odd" the re-election by Senate Democrats of Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Democratic Conference Vice Chairman Charles Schumer (N.Y.) and Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) was also announced Tuesday as the new head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, a job she held in 2002.

While avoiding direct criticism of the Democratic leaders or Murray, Cornyn noted that Republicans won six Senate seats in the recent election. However, he also said the GOP is on "probation," and acknowledged that GOP gains were not necessarily an endorsement of Republican candidates, but rather a repudiation of Democrats.

"The Democratic leadership looks a whole lot like it did befo! re this election, both in the House and the Senate," Cornyn said. "It strikes me as odd. In no other area of life, in sports or in business, do you have the kind of result they had â€" in the president's words, a 'shellacking' â€" and still expect to see the same team, the same leadership on the field. But I'll let other people draw their conclusions."

In response, Murray defended the result of the Democratic leadership elections.

"Our caucus is very dynamic and comes from very diverse parts of the country and has very diverse opinions," she said. "We elected the leadership because they're looking for people to move forward on an agenda that works for all of them, and that's what part of my job will be too."