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WASHINGTON -- Maybe Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid should reconsider his New Year's resolution -- the one where he pledged to start talking louder.
On The Daily Show on Monday night, during Reid's inaugural appearance to discuss his new book, host Jon Stewart seemed to find the Reid whisper intriguing.
Reid's first sentences rolled out, as he explained that he wrote his autobiography because Nevadans "don't know who I am. I thought it was important to tell the story about really who I am. In America if I can make it, anyone can."
The crowd broke in with applause, prompting to Stewart to muse, "I think right now they are taken aback by your soft spoken, and I'm going to go with humility."
"They're not quite sure," Stewart continued. "You are someone who's got a reputation for toughness and yet as I look across the table from you, I feel like I could filibuster this man."
The host went easy on the senator whom he has freely and robustly skewered in the past. He seemed almost touched by Reid's Searchlight-to-Washington story.
Reid served up a few one-liners but nothing too truculent at all. He avoided Stewart's attempt to get him to divulge which Democratic senator he wants as president, explaining as party leader in the Senate he has to "take care of whoever comes back. I want to be able to look them in the eye and say I have been neutral."
The one danger spot came when Stewart asked if the business of the government was in this "weird circulating pattern" as the presidential nominating contest drags on.
Reid's reply may not be the talking point party strategists had in mind as election season begins.
"I think we've been in a holding pattern since Democrats took over the majority," Reid said. "This was a shock to Republicans. They tried to maintain the status quo."
"I'm just as disappointed as the American people we haven't had more change," Reid said.
Reid's seemed to be aiming his comments at the Daily Show audience, viewers who find truth in Stewart's wry critiques of politics and are frustrated by Democrats' inability to change course in war in Iraq and other big issues.
But it might not have been the preferred take-away line. Saying you've been standing still on the job is an odd argument for re-election. Or maybe voters will find such honesty refreshing. Time will tell. It was a softly-spoken point, but one that is likely to resonate, for better or worse.
Well, it was nice to hear a candid answer - military people do appreciate candor - but, sadly, it means we are wasting our most valuable commondity - TIME!
I'm hoping and praying that Harry Reid convinces Nancy Pelosi to fight this falls funding request from Bush for more war...I think it is critical that the Democrats take the lead and fully fund the needs of our V.A. FIRST, then, compromise and agree to fund the essential needs of OUR Troops and humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people - but, don't give another damn dime to the corporate contractors or the Iraqi military - that should send a message that the days of the blank checks are over and it's past time for the Iraqi military, Iraqi diplomats and Iraqi politicians to step-up and take charge of their own destiny!
It is a "good fight" worth fighting (and a tale to be told in Harry's sequel)!
The Dems have been the majority for the last few years, and we are still in trouble. I have come to the conclusion the problem we have in Washington politics is the problem that comes with politicians.... They get elected and then halfway through their terms they start campaigning for re-election. I am all for term limits -- 2 terms is the max... That includes you, Harry. You are part of the problem.....
The 2006-vintage Lib-"led" Congress have done nothing on the important issues of our day. A "holding pattern" accurately represents what the Lib-Dems are capable of, instead of real action to benefit the American people.
It's all the fossil Reid and the shrew, Pelosi are capable of.
Z-bear, Boss Reid is the disgusting epitome of the self-serving politician when he states that "Joe Lieberman "supports us on virtually everything except the war". This says more about the Boss' two-faced character than everything in his autobio released to prop up his sagging reputation here at home.
The whole love story about Boss Reid and the McBush supporting Liebermann is here: http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2... Read it and you'll find out that Boss Reid is flat out lieing about his good buddy's voting record. It seems quite clear the Boss is continuously putting personal friendships above party principles and the national welfare.
Although I've been voting the Dem ticket since the '60s, I will vote in '10 with anybody in any party that runs against Boss Reid. It's time we cleaned up our party and that means starting at the top layer of dirt and working down.
I thought Senator Reid's appearance on The Daily Show was refreshing. His book has received favorable critiques. Surprisingly, Senator Reid did not attack the Republicans when Jon Stewart accused the Senate of being in a holding pattern. He briefly explained that neither house holds a majority large enough to override a veto (although I find that a lame excuse -- pass legislation and let the President take the heat for vetoing it). Yet, he admitted and accepted that the Democrats have not been able to push its agenda forward. Given the posturing from most politicians, Senator Reid's remarks were, as I said before, refreshing.
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Time and again these incumbent politicians detract us with Republican vs. Democrat rhetoric. These politicians and the media want you to focus on Welfare, Healthcare, social Security etc. Rather than see the real problem. The monster is Corporate contributions through PAC’s etc.
Incumbent Congressmen and Senators have a bi-partisan fear of extended media coverage of their campaign contributions and cozy corporate connections that involve a revolving door between corporate America and their staff members. They have a gnawing apprehension that a lengthy look at their corporate contributions and connections would make it clear to everyone that they try to please the moneyed interests who pay them the most. These pompous, paid-for incumbents do not really give a damn about everyday; working class citizens who try to obey the laws and play by the rules.
Our party and our incumbent Senators and Congressman will likely do nothing, do to all the Corporate connections and favors in jobs and money.
Please Google search 'Senator Reid and the mob' you will find it very interesting.