Via USAT: ‘Changed forever,’ Kerry returns to his Senate role. For his sake, I hope he isn’t “changed” the way Gore was post-Florida.

In all seriousness, it will be interesting to see the degree to which this is the case: “He returns to the Senate Tuesday and aims to be a force in his party”–because, quite frankly, he really wasn’t a force in the party in the Senate prior to his run at the White House. Indeed, his lack of a substantive Senate record was one of his key weaknesses.

And this will be interesting, and my guess is that he will lose out:

One yardstick of Kerry’s clout will be apparent in February, when the Democratic National Committee chooses a new chairman. At least three current prospects are close to Kerry: Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, former New Hampshire governor Jeanne Shaheen and former Labor secretary Alexis Herman.

And, please, charisma?!?

Some wonder why Kerry did not seek a broader Senate role, such as minority leader. Nevada Sen. Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record), a Kerry ally, is considered certain to be elected by his colleagues today to succeed South Dakota Sen. Tom Daschle, who was defeated.

Independent analyst Ken Bode wrote in The Indianapolis Star that Kerry “never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity.” Kerry might have provided “the charisma, the gravitas, the respect” to marshal Democratic opposition to Bush, Bode wrote, but Reid will not.

Gravitas, yes. Respect, maybe. Charisma? I think not. Further, Kerry was never Mr. Legislation, making a move for Leader an unlikely one. Further, history tends to dictate that the losing candidate rarely becomes the face of the opposition post-election. Kerry will likely return to his previous role as a low key Senator who will now get more invites for tv shows because he ran for president.