Chuck Schumer is not stupid by any means. He's just "doubling down" on the bet he's already placed.

Schumer is head of DSCC (Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee), and he's busy recruiting potential candidates to run in 2008 and beyond. He won his bets in 2006, and in his view, the situation has not changed enough to alter his approach, so let's keep the same game going heading into 2008, only let's "double down" on the bet. Smart move IMO (even though I don't agree with him).

Now, he wants to get out ahead on this whole September report (that's why he was first in line). If he's your "face" guy for recruiting candidates, well, got to establish his street creds.

Say what you will, Schumer is one very smart pol. Ethical and all the other stuff - I'll leave that alone. Ask yourself - who's he going with for Democratic presidential candidate. That alone right there should tell you how smart this guy is.