A Surprising Conservative Lament: Why Can't We Have Our Own Harry Reid?
WASHINGTON — The prospect of a Senate without Harry Reid became an instant cause for celebration among Republicans when the former Democratic majority leader of eight years announced his decision not to seek reelection in 2016.
But underneath the deep reservoir of conservative animosity for the Nevada senator's iron-fisted rule over the Senate lays a dark admiration for the former boxer's effectiveness in advancing his party's ideological priorities.
Some prominent conservatives say they want their own Harry Reid.
"Reid's personal charm has let him run circles around Republicans. The former boxer has, even in the minority, been overly effective at obstructing Republican efforts. He has done so with a level of ruthlessness the Republican base begs its own leaders to use," conservative activist and radio host Erick Erickson wrote at FoxNews.com.
He cited as examples Reid's moves to nuke the filibuster for most nominations, to muscle Obamacare through under the budget reconciliation process and to make unsubstantiated claims in 2012 that Mitt Romney didn't pay taxes for a decade, which frustrated the Republican presidential nominee.
more
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/conservatives-harry-reid
= new reply since forum marked as read
