The American Spectator

p> MONEY MATTERS br> Sen. Charles Schumer , who in every way but title — he is vice-chair of the Senate Democrat caucus — now ranks in the top tier of leaders in the Senate, isn’t having anything to do with Sen. Joe Lieberman . This is particularly so as the Connecticut Democrat looks to push his Congressional ethics reform legislation in the coming months. /p>

Schumer, who agreed to retain the chairmanship of the Democrat Senatorial Campaign Committee for another two-year stint, does not want any hardcore ethics legislation passed on his watch. That’s what he has told Senate majority leader Harry Reid, according to Democrat leadership aides.

Last year, Lieberman co-sponsored legislation with Sen. Susan Collins that would have established an independent Office of Public Integrity. While the Senate ethics committee would have oversight, the office would have had the flexibility to investigate ethics complaints and vet filings and lobbyist activities in the Senate. A similar bill was introduced in the House.

Schumer was able to leverage his New York ties to the financial markets and big business to competitively raise money with the Republicans. According to a leadership source, he’s not sure he’d be able to do that again under tightened lobbying guidelines.

p> WHO’S IN CHARGE? br> The Bush Administration’s favorite Democrat, Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson