Reid soars, Warren shines

At the moment of his greatest political triumph, which will rank among the finest in the history of the United States Senate, Senate Majority Leader Harry ReidHarry ReidSenate Dems pan talk of short-term spending bill Sanders, Warren stir Dem turmoil over cures bill Real budget reform starts from the inside MORE (D-Nev.) reaches out in the tradition of Henry Clay to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnellMitch McConnellSenate Dems pan talk of short-term spending bill Overnight Cybersecurity: Lawmakers to seek voice vote on Rule 41 bill Overnight Defense: House, Senate finalize defense policy bill | Trump closing in on cabinet picks MORE (R-Ky.) and House Speaker John BoehnerJohn Boehner'Ready for Michelle' PACs urge 2020 run News Flash: Trump was never going to lock Clinton up Trump’s new weapon? The bully pulpit MORE (R-Ohio). I join most Americans hoping they reach back in word and deed.

Congratulations are in order for President Obama, Vice President Biden and all members of the House and Senate from both parties who were reelected on Tuesday. This column is about four senators who will have extraordinary roles to play in the coming hours and years, and what they tell us about the state of the union as 2012 comes to a close.

Sen. Patty MurrayPatty MurraySanders, Warren stir Dem turmoil over cures bill Speculation and starting points: accreditation, a new administration and a new Congress The Hill's 12:30 Report MORE (D-Wash.) led the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee with the brilliant insight that the best politics for Democrats is to find the best candidates for America. The list of Democratic candidates for Senate seats that Murray did so much to assemble is among the most able and talented, as a group, of my lifetime and yours. She has earned the megastar status that now arrives for her.

Sen. Marco RubioMarco RubioSpeculation and starting points: accreditation, a new administration and a new Congress Issa declared winner after reelection battle White House urges Trump to keep Obama policies on Cuba MORE (R-Fla.) is destined for great things in the Senate and on the national stage. Rubio embodies the Reaganesque notion of principled and creative conservatism, governmental seriousness and a politics of civility that is the best hope for the future of his party.

And let me be the first to reiterate my support for Hillary Rodham Clinton for president in 2016 with serious consideration given for Sen.-elect Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenOvernight Healthcare: House GOP in driver’s seat for ObamaCare replacement Overnight Finance: Trump to pick Mnuchin for Treasury | Budget chair up for grabs | Fed hike likely Sanders, Warren stir Dem turmoil over cures bill MORE as her running mate to shatter every last ceiling in the history of the greatest nation on earth, set the stage for three successive and successful two-term Democratic presidents and bring to fruition a new era of historic reform in the tradition of Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt and the Kennedy-Johnson presidencies.

Warren will be the shining star of the Senate, the incorruptible leader of the next great wave of progressivism, whose voice will shake the rafters of the Senate with a power, passion and principle that voices of old politics do not even remotely understand today, but will soon.

Warren makes me more proud to be a Democrat than any candidate since this once-young man mourned the murder of Robert Francis Kennedy, who was taken from us generations too soon. I place on the agenda the notion of a Clinton-Warren ticket because in a nation that since Washington has been given the choice of two men on the ticket of all major parties in every election except two, why not consider two women, especially two extraordinarily gifted leaders such as Hillary ClintonHillary Rodham ClintonObama: 'Michelle will never run for office' How Republicans got polling right in 2016 To build consensus as president, Trump should look to exit polls MORE and Elizabeth Warren, who would win the acclaim of many men such as myself?

And now, a few words on Reid, who led Senate Democrats from minority to majority status.

While defeating a ferocious campaign against his reelection in 2010, he steered the Senate Democratic ship through the hurricane winds and tsunami waves of the Republican landslide of 2010 to maintain Democratic control of the Senate. In 2012, like the tallest tree in the Redwood forest, in a political achievement worthy of Statuary Hall, with so many Democrats running for reelection against odds that would confound every casino in the Las Vegas he loves, Reid and Patty have led Senate Democrats to a triumph that will be legendary in the annals of Senate lore.

Today Reid reaches out in the tradition of the man he reveres so much, Henry Clay. It is a time for compromise and a moment to govern.

Tomorrow for Harry Reid, Barack ObamaBarack ObamaBlack Texans express mixed feelings over Donald Trump's victory Flag burning is just another PR stunt for the media to cover Obama may seek legacy for Palestinians: Here’s what he should do MORE, Joe BidenJoe BidenFeinstein urges White House to release full CIA torture report Senators to pay bipartisan homage to Biden Redditor snaps selfie with Joe Biden reading a newspaper with his dog MORE, Patty Murray, Bill ClintonBill ClintonTo build consensus as president, Trump should look to exit polls The Democratic Party failed by ignoring Sanders delegates Who’s to blame for Hillary’s defeat? It’s not Russia MORE, Hillary Clinton, Al GoreAl GoreAl Gore: End the Electoral College Jill 'Quixote' Stein tilting at imaginary vote count windmills Why Is Jill Stein Challenging Election Results? MORE, John KerryJohn KerryAnnoyed Dems dismiss recount as ‘waste of time’ White House urges Trump to keep Obama policies on Cuba Obama, Biden to skip Fidel Castro's funeral MORE, Elizabeth Warren and all who believe in the hope that lives and the dream that never dies, it will be time to think big again.

Thank you, voters, for giving us this chance.

Budowsky was an aide to former Sen. Lloyd Bentsen and Bill Alexander, then chief deputy majority whip of the House. He holds an LL.M. degree in international financial law from the London School of Economics. He can be read on The Hill’s Pundits Blog and reached at brentbbi@webtv.net.