Reply #13: Reid and or his staff seem to have a pattern of this

[karynnj]

They were supposedly the source of the Kerry wasn't supposed to respond on Iraq, Reed was nonsense that was leaked to DKos. In that case, it was stupid as Kerry had the right to speak to the press on his own - he needed noone's permission. As long as he didn't say he was speaking for the Senate Democratic leadership and that he was offering his own opinions, there should have been no problem.

Kerry after all was chosen by the Democrats to be their last nominee - in one of the earliest, clearest set of primaries ever for a non- incumbent. Reid, on the other hand, was elected by Nevada and became leader - almost because he was a non-entity, not because he was picked to be the arbiter of all things Democratic.

The resultant Reed/Kerry press conference was clearly better than a solo Reed one would have been. As it was, it got little attention - Kerry's presence increased not decreased that. Kerry was head and shoulders better in quickly analyzing and commenting on Bush's plan. I realize that Reid agreed more with Reed, but I really think that we need to learn from the Republicans on this as well. They even kept Bob Dole as a spokesman after he lost in a land slide - but he was articulate and had name recognition.

Reid (or staffers) also likely leaked that very early 2005 story that Kerry wanted to more aggressively put forth an agenda than Reid did.