What are we supposed to point to that indicates how effective you would be getting Chuck Schumer to bend to your will?

Nobody bends Chuck Shumer to their will. That's House of Cards level dramatic. Not every senator is Machiavelli. Some are Mr. Smith gone to Washington, some are stooges for moneyed interests, some are zealots with law degrees elected by lunatics, and some are cold-blooded, hard-shelled reptiles standing erect and wearing business attire. The only thing they have in common is that, barring occasional appointments, they won an election to get there.

If politics is _____ people debating _____ly about how the government should use its resources, the progressive point of view is that it should be thoughtful people debating thoughtfully. That might be aspirational given reality, but is it disqualifying to not be a ball-buster?

I will say my first reaction upon hearing about Alison's candidacy was, "That seems like a weak choice for a Senate campaign," but I'm less grim about her chances for success than I was then. If she pulls it off and gets elected, I think she's probably capable of learning to politic in the Senate.