Harry Reid: "Republicans need to stop putting Wall Street CEOs ahead of everyone else"

[sabra]

http://www.talkradionews.com/quicknews/2010/12/3/reid-responds-to-jobless-data-blasts-gop-for-inaction-on-une.html

Reid Responds To Jobless Data, Blasts GOP For Inaction On Unemployment Aid

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) issued the following statement Friday following the release of new unemployment data:

“We could take a major step toward fixing our economy today if Republicans stopped holding the Senate hostage to more tax giveaways for millionaires and CEOs who ship American jobs overseas. If Republicans shared our urgency about creating jobs, we could immediately cut taxes for the middle class and preserve unemployment insurance for the Nevadans and Americans who are still looking for work. These measures would create or save hundreds of thousands of jobs and pump money into our economy. But Republicans refuse to work with us. Instead, they are holding Washington in a state of gridlock until they get more bonus tax breaks for the same Wall Street CEOs who got us into this economic mess.”

“Job number one is putting Nevadans and all Americans back to work. Today’s news shows that there is still much work to be done. Republicans need to stop putting Wall Street CEOs ahead of everyone else, roll up their sleeves and join us in fixing our economy.”

[yurbud]

1. Harry Reid needs to start acting like he cares about what he just said and put GOP balls in a vice

figure out how to do end runs around their delaying tactics, secret holds, and filibusters (like changing the rules at the start of the next session so they are no longer allowed).

[marmar]

3. Exactly.....it's not like he's powerless in this situation.

Actions and words, Senator.

[yurbud]

13. the Senate is the chamber that should have been punished for Obama & Reid's capitulation

[cilla4progress]

8. true dat

[Catherina]

2. Just Republicans Harry? Really? n/t

[hobbit709]

4. +1000

[gratuitous]

5. Got any plans to back up the tough talk, Mr. Majority Leader?

Because I've heard a lot of prattle over the last two years, and seen precious few results. You going to work on that backlog of 400 or so bills the House has passed on to the Senate? Get any more judicial nominations to the floor for a vote? Saying the right thing is nice. Doing the right thing is better.

[Hannah Bell]

15. at least he's finally talking tough. don't disparage the effect of talking tough.

that moves public opinion.

there's been little competing storyline to the right's for quite some time.

[gratuitous]

16. I don't disagree on the value of moving public opinion

But it seems like weak tea at this time.

[Hannah Bell]

17. i agree it's late in the game, & maybe just a blip. but if the entire party started talking

like that in a high-visibility way, things could change.

[gratuitous]

19. It's gotta start sometime, somewhere

Which brings me back to my original point, and I hope there's some follow through.

[Hannah Bell]

20. agreed. wasn't disputing that. but talking it up does coalesce public opinion

& put pressure on -- which makes follow-through easier.

this is one of the biggest failures of this admin, in my opinion. not mobilizing public opinion in support of their supposed policies & pov.

as another poster said, their public stance seems to give creedence to right-wing pov/policies instead.

[laughingliberal]

6. K & R nt

[Better Believe It]

7. It's just liberal sounding political rhetoric without substance designed to pacify us.

[jaxx]

9. I'm not sure he worded that just for the 15%.

More like it is worded to get the obstructionists whining.

[Autumn]

10. He needs to whisper that in several Democrats ears

that might help.

[rocktivity]

11. Rocktivity: "Harry Reid" needs to stop putting Republicans ahead of everything else

The Dems still control the senate, and you still lead the Dems. So act like it! If you really believe what you're saying, you'll stop the $250K+ tax cuts, even if it means letting them sunset.

:headbang:
rocktivity

[hfojvt]

12. KNR - exactly what needs to be said, again and again

It would have more credibility though if Democrats were not expected to wimp out in the name of compromise after Republicans hold their breath for two seconds.

Note to Harry, you should have some leverage here because the tax cuts expire on the 1st and then they need your and the President's help to re-instate them.

So don't be afraid to let them expire and to blame the Republicans when they do.

[hfojvt]

14. and dammit I seem to have killed the thread

[Edweird]

18. What is that saying about about "the log in your own eye"...