Harry Reid: Rushing to make Judgement

[Radical Activist]

I'm surprised so many on this board are ready to throw Reid out with yesterday's trash even before he starts his job as Leader. I'm not sure where that attitude is coming from, but I can make some guesses.

How do you think we should judge Reid? Does he deserve a chance to do something before Democratic cannibals tare him apart?

[msgadget]

1. You're always a reasonable person

but didn't you blanch when he called Frist the finest person he ever met? I'm still going to give him a chance before throwing up my hands in disgust but I wasn't that impressed with the Russert interview.

[Radical Activist]

3. hehe not always

but I can be reasonable sometimes. Thanks.

I think its ok to disagree without being disagreeable. I also think Reid understands that with 45 Senators there is only so much you can do. He can badmouth Scalia all day long, but that doesn't mean it will result in anyone else being made Chief Justice. Paul Wellstone could rise from the dead to become Democratic Senate Leader and we would probably still end up with Bush's choice for Chief Justice.

Overall, I like his interviews so far. I've liked Reid for a long time and I think he'll do a better job than Daschle. Daschle was perfect in 94 because he was such a strong contrast to the combative and evil nature of New Gingrich's leadership in the House. But Daschle gave in to Bush too much and I think Reid is a better person for the moment. I think he knows how to appeal to people outside of DC.

[blondeatlast]

9. It takes a tremendous amount of both guts and finesse to be a Mormon

and a Democrat.

It's a very "social" religion and there is enormous peer pressure from day 1.

Reid's going to surprise a lot of people with his effectiveness.

I'[m pretty far left, so he doesn't represent my views well, but he'll be tougher on the opponents than people expect.

[Radical Activist]

11. That's a good point.

I think he'll show a lot of resolve, hopefully more than Daschle.

I'm more liberal than Reid as well, but I think he'll represent the feeling of the caucus on certain issues where he is more moderate, like on abortion. I would rather have my home state Senator, Dick Durbin, be leader but I hopeful about Reid.

[ClassWarrior]

2. He also said he could live with Big Tony Scalia for Chief SCOTUS...

Yuck!!! Can YOU live with Big Tony in the big chair?

Up until yesterday, Reid seemed okay. But after watching him dance around in his pink tutu on Little Russ' show, fergit it!!

By the way, nice job on designing a skewed poll.

NGU.

[Radical Activist]

4. Who is Bush going to appoint Chief Justice that you would like?

I can't think of anyone. Would you rather Reid fight a big battle over the Chief Justice, or over who the next appointee to the court will be? I think whoever gets appointed to the court next is a lot more important than who the CJ will be.

Skewed polls are fun. Thanks.

[ClassWarrior]

6. I'd like to see Reid and the rest of the pink tutus...

...fight a big battle over ANYTHING!!! Scalia... The next appointee... The flavor of pop in the frickin' Senate breakroom... ANYTHING!!! And therein lies the problem. Some of these guys - I repeat, SOME of these guys - just flap in the breeze. I don't worry about Durbin. He fights. I do worry about Reid.

NGU.

[pmbryant]

7. What do you base this accusation on?

Reid switched Jeffords to our side in 2001, robbing the GOP of their majority.

Reid led the filibusters of Bush's extreme judicial nominees last year.

And now Reid is continuing to fight, pushing the truth that the GOP is out to destroy Social Security.

On what do you base this "pink tutu" name calling?

--Peter

[Radical Activist]

8. It sounded like he was doing that on Social Security privatization

I saw him on the MTP interview and thought he did well.

[medeak]

5. he was great on Al Franken today

even got in a few well deserved jabs.

Reid is quiet and milktoast but believe me.. he's detail oriented and will surprise all.. He is most powerful from behind the scenes.

Refreshing from most politicians with enormous egos glamming for the press.

[lojasmo]

10. perhaps I'll judge him on the positions he's taken in the past

Pro gun and anti choice to name two of the baddies. Look at his record, it's pretty abominable.

[Radical Activist]

12. Are you really worried that

he will push those views on the Democratic caucus in the Senate? I kind of doubt it.

[lojasmo]

21. Look at his goddamned record. N/T

[w4rma]

13. He's pro-gun? That's exactly what Democrats need now.

And he's already said he's personally anti-abortion but supports pro-choice legislation. (Talk folks out of abortions instead of putting girls in prison, or letting them kill themselves with a coathanger, when they do it anyway.)

[Radical Activist]

15. That would make him pro-choice

I don't know where Reid is on the issue but even a former head of NOW said that being pro-choice doesn't mean being pro-abortion.

[w4rma]

17. You are paying attention, then. Most aren't. (nt)

[lojasmo]

22. Here's his record on the issue, bub.

www.issues2000.org/Social/Harry_Reid_Abortion.htm

I'm anti abortion AND pro choice. I certainly wouldn't have voted with him on these issues.

[lojasmo]

20. But he doesn't support pro choice legislation check the record.

So you think a DINO is exactly what the democrats need now. I am absolutely opposed to your vision for the direction for the party.

[SteveG]

14. I don't agree with all his positions but

he can be very tough. He fights battles that he has a reasonable chance of winning, and he should be effective in keeping the Senate Democratic Caucus intact. I think some people worry too much about Scalia - yeah he's an ass, but he is already on the Court and he is so ideological and abrasive that he may make a terrible administrator (which is the main role of the CJ) - which could be a very good thing for us. What Reid has to do is to prevent the next Scalia clone from getting on the Court and tipping the balance completely. I also think that Reid may be able to frame the debate better than Dashle could. I am a C-Span addict while at work, and I listened to him on the floor on many occasions - he is smart and tough, and his arguments against the right wing proposals are ones that can win support from the few moderate republicans who are left without alienating the Democrats.

[fujiyama]

16. I'm goin with the majority here

I haven't seen much news at all post November 2 so I can't judge Reid by a few comment he's made on MTP or wherever.

My only real thing to judge him on is his performance a while back on the senate floor. I think it was dealing with judicial appointments where it turned into an all night thing.

Anyways, I was impressed. He was fighting that night.

But as for his performance as majority leader, we'll wait and see.

[autorank]

18. Yesterday on Russert Reid said:

Privatizing social security is a scam to pay off 'fat cats on Wall Street.'

Scalia is a smart guy but any elevation of him would have to take into consideration "ethical problems", i.e., taking trips with people who have cases before him.

Bush is "a liar" ... spudhead Russert tried one of his ambushes quoting Reid calling Bush a liar. Spud asked Reid if he still felt that way and he said yes "he's a liar." Didn't flinch, didn't even look at spudhead.

He said he'd represent the DEM position on abortion despite his personal views.

This guy is about as weak as Casey Stengel was dumb. Stop the carping and support Reid. He'll knock some heads.

Corporate America controls the media and we get manufactured news.
Corporate America now controls the voting machines and we get manufactured elections.

[JI7]

19. i always liked Harry Reid