A Conversation With Harry Reid
[Guest post by DRJ]
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was interviewed yesterday by his hometown newspaper, the Las Vegas Review Journal, and the conversation covered a wide range of topics. Most of it was predictable although a few of his opinions surprised me. For example, even though Reid clearly stated his dislike for John McCain, he defended Lieberman’s planned appearance at the GOP Convention and noted Lieberman is a reliable Democratic vote on social issues. Reid may not be so concerned about Lieberman if the Democrats increase their majority in the Senate this November.
Regarding Obama’s VP choice, Reid said he didn’t know who Obama would chose but he thought Clinton and Richardson might still be in the running. He was enthusiastic about Biden but not-so-effusive about Bayh or Kaine.
Reid comes across as wordy and gaffe-prone, and the reporter’s comments suggest this may be normal. No wonder Reid likes Biden. They are loquacious soul-mates.
— DRJ
Did they ask him about our loss in Iraq?
Apogee (366e8b) — 8/21/2008 @ 5:18 pm“They are loquacious soul-mates.”
I’m sorry, DRJ, does that translate to “blithering idiots” ?
SPQR (26be8b) — 8/21/2008 @ 6:13 pmSPQR,
Harry Reid is Senate Majority Leader and his job is to work with other Senators and US leaders whether he likes them or not. It’s ridiculous for an adult to gossip like a schoolgirl about his dislike for another Senator, let alone share that with the press.
It isn’t that politics has become too partisan. The problem is that politics has become too juvenile. Grow up, Senator Reid.
DRJ (a5243f) — 8/21/2008 @ 6:31 pmThis is funny: Joe Biden, we are told, “… can address two of Obama’s biggest weaknesses — his lack of experience, especially on world affairs, and his reluctance to go on the attack.”
So Biden will be the experience and the strong arm Obama needs but then Harry Reid tells us, “He [Biden] was driven into some of the positions he’s in because the far left took him on in the primary. … I’ve done a lot to protect Joe Biden.”
Shouldn’t Obama then be looking at Reid as a veep?
Dana (084de8) — 8/21/2008 @ 6:33 pmThe comments on the papers article are interesting. Overwhelmingly negative about dingy harry in a Nevada paper.
Paul (174ea0) — 8/21/2008 @ 6:34 pmHarry Reid, however dull that he is, does do one thing well, and that’s keep the Democrat Party senators in line. Plus, he comes across in the media as a doddering uncle. Who could get mad at him or belief his false claims of wrath?
steve miller (b589d7) — 8/21/2008 @ 6:38 pmJohn Mccain is among the most courteous and respectful Republicans when it comes to working with Democrats. He has a temper, but he usually reserves it for other Republicans who aren’t trying as hard to compromise.
If Reid can’t stand Mccain, Reid can’t stand any Republican. It’s that simple. And it’s why the Republicans still rule congress, more or less, even without much actual voting power. Democrats in congress are not as united as Republicans, and Pelosi and Reid are why.
Now, I also doubt all Republicans senators think so much of Biden. he’s a proven liar, and I doubt he knows much at all about foreign policy.
Juan (4cdfb7) — 8/21/2008 @ 6:40 pmDana #4:
Not absolutely sure, but I think that was an example of Reid misspeaking: I think he was really referring to Lieberman there.
EW1(SG) (4a8ba7) — 8/21/2008 @ 6:42 pmActually, the only reason Reid keeps getting elected is Las Vegas… Pretty much the rest of the state can’t stand him…
Scott Jacobs (d3a6ec) — 8/21/2008 @ 6:45 pmHey Juan~ I did see your note about comment spam, it may be that I hadn’t really noticed because my wife hasn’t allowed me to spend much time unsupervised in the blogosphere lately. 😉
EW1(SG) (4a8ba7) — 8/21/2008 @ 6:45 pm#8, I was mostly being sarcastic – I read the interview at the link in its entirety and thought it Reid was rather disjointed and difficult to follow…. but it did strike me as funny to think of Dingy Harry protecting anyone in light of picturing Biden as O’s watchdog…. I’m obviously a bit too easily amused….
Dana (084de8) — 8/21/2008 @ 7:02 pm#8, I was mostly being sarcastic – I read the interview at the link in its entirety and found Reid rather disjointed and difficult to follow…. but it did strike me as funny to think of Dingy Harry protecting anyone in light of picturing Biden as O’s watchdog…. I’m obviously a bit too easily amused….
Dana (084de8) — 8/21/2008 @ 7:03 pmIn Reid’s last election, he declined to identify himself as a Dem. His billboards on highways featured his grinning countenance 10 or 12 feet high, but had no room for party affiliation. Reid got elected the old fashion way, he fooled the voters.
Ropelight (42c46d) — 8/22/2008 @ 8:24 amDon’t know about this particular reporter, but the LVJR is editorially a very conservative, if not libertarian, paper.
Another Drew (72bbba) — 8/22/2008 @ 8:35 amOpps, LVRJ – not LVJR.
Another Drew (72bbba) — 8/22/2008 @ 8:35 amReid is not all bad. As a good Mormon he voted for DOMA and the partial-birth abortion ban and the Patriot Act; he is pro- Death Penalty and against nearly-unlimited appeals in death penalty cases.
Of course, the list of issues where he is dead wrong is much longer.
Icy Truth (48f459) — 8/22/2008 @ 8:44 amYes, he’s just another corrupt, money grubber, who happens to be on the correct side on a few, high-profile issues.
Another Drew (72bbba) — 8/22/2008 @ 8:55 amGood Old Real-Estate Harry – Searchlight’s own dim-bulb!
Reid noted that Bayh’s father, Birch Bayh, was a senator and saved Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy’s life in a plane crash.”
I wonder if it stung Ted Kennedy’s conscience to have to say to another person, “You saved my life.”
L.N. Smithee (b048eb) — 8/22/2008 @ 9:05 amOnly if the plane crashed into a body of water.
Icy Truth (48f459) — 8/22/2008 @ 9:07 am