Harry Reid from Nevada to replace Daschle

[carolinalady]

no link--per MSNBC
Edited: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=5&u=/ap/20041116/ap_on_go_co/senate_democrats

WASHINGTON - Sen. Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record) of Nevada won election as Senate Democratic leader on Tuesday, taking over a party with fewer seats than at any time since the Great Depression more than 70 years ago.



Reid succeeds Sen. Tom Daschle, who was defeated for re-election on Nov. 2 in South Dakota.


The 64-year-old Nevadan, who has long served as Daschle's second-in-command, was elevated to leader in a closed-door meeting of Democrats who will serve in the Senate in the Congress that convenes in January.


Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois was unopposed to replace Reid as the party's whip, the Democrat's second-ranking Senate leader

[RubyDuby in GA]

1. Shit.

Could they have picked a worse choice???


Figures....

[Archae]

2. Yes, they could have picked Hillary or Ted (Hic!).

Give Reid a chance, he has to do better than Dash-hole.

[still_one]

7. He is another right wing republican

you give him a chance, I won't

[0007]

16. You absolutely don't know what your talking about!!

[TankLV]

66. No, YOU are the one who doesn't know what he is talking about.

Anti-gay.
Anti-abortion.
Mormon.
Wants to "compromise"
Thinks bunkerboy is an "honerable man"

I'm from Vegas, his goddamn district. He has to keep one eye on his idiotic mormon voters - you know, the anti-gay, anti-abortion, pushy missionary types.

Couldn't be a worse choice.

Wonder if they'll at least give him a can of lube with his appointment!

[RubyDuby in GA]

18. I'll give you that he'd be better than ol' Tommy boy

but then again, my 5 year old nephew could do better.

To me, he's no better than a Republican, and some Republicans are a lot better than him in my eyes. The worst offense though is being against a woman's right to choose what she does with her own body. I don't care what you believe, it's my body and I'll do with it what I damn well please.

I don't want to give him a chance, but apparently I have no choice. I guess we all better get used to that.

[shrub chipper]

39. Did all the Democrats

turn it down?

[fknobbit]

4. Another hapless Dem from a re puke state

Same old shit!

[wtmusic]

6. Please explain

Harry Reid just got reelected by a huge margin and has broad bipartisan support. He is committed and "true blue".

There were many worse choices.

[still_one]

9. really

he is against a woman's right to choose


Voted YES on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004)
Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (Mar 2003)
Voted YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on disallowing overseas military abortions. (May 1999)
by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
Expand embryonic stem cell research. (Jun 2004)


Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)

Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
Voted NO on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)
Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
by the ACLU, indicating a mixed civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
Harry Reid on Corporations


Voted YES on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy. (Jul 2001)
by the US COC, indicating a mixed business voting record. (Dec 2003)
Harry Reid on Crime


Voted YES on $1.15 billion per year to continue the COPS program. (May 1999)
Voted YES on limiting death penalty appeals. (Apr 1996)
Voted NO on limiting product liability punitive damage awards. (Mar 1996)
Voted YES on restricting class-action lawsuits. (Dec 1995)
Voted YES on repealing federal speed limits. (Jun 1995)
Voted NO on mandatory prison terms for crimes involving firearms. (May 1994)
Voted YES on rejecting racial statistics in death penalty appeals. (May 1994)
by CURE, indicating mixed votes on rehabilitation. (Dec 2000)
More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes. (Apr 2001)
Harry Reid on Drugs


Voted NO on increasing penalties for drug offenses. (Nov 1999)
Voted NO on spending international development funds on drug control. (Jul 1996)
Harry Reid on Education


Voted YES on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
Voted YES on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
Voted YES on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
Voted NO on Educational Savings Accounts. (Mar 2000)
Voted NO on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules. (Mar 1999)
Voted NO on education savings accounts. (Jun 1998)
Voted NO on school vouchers in DC. (Sep 1997)
Voted NO on $75M for abstinence education. (Jul 1996)
Voted NO on requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer. (Jul 1994)
Voted YES on national education standards. (Feb 1994)
More foreign languages courses and exchange students. (Feb 2001)
by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes. (Dec 2003)
Harry Reid on Energy & Oil


More energy efficiency, no drilling in ANWR. (May 2001)
Voted YES on Bush Administration Energy Policy. (Jul 2003)
Voted YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010. (Jun 2003)
Voted YES on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill. (Mar 2003)
Voted NO on drilling ANWR on national security grounds. (Apr 2002)
Voted NO on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months. (Mar 2002)
Voted NO on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling. (Apr 2000)
Voted YES on ending discussion of CAFE fuel efficiency standards. (Sep 1999)
Voted YES on defunding renewable and solar energy. (Jun 1999)
Voted NO on approving a nuclear waste repository. (Apr 1997)
Voted YES on do not require ethanol in gasoline. (Aug 1994)
Keep efficient air conditioner rule to conserve energy. (Mar 2004)
Harry Reid on Environment


Voted YES on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. (Jan 2001)
Voted NO on more funding for forest roads and fish habitat. (Sep 1999)
Voted NO on transportation demo projects. (Mar 1998)
Voted YES on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests. (Sep 1997)
Voted YES on continuing desert protection in California. (Oct 1994)
Voted YES on requiring EPA risk assessments. (May 1994)
Reduce liability for hazardous waste cleanup. (May 2001)
by the LCV, indicating pro-environment votes. (Dec 2003)
EPA must do better on mercury clean-up. (Apr 2004)
Harry Reid on Families & Children


Voted NO on restricting violent videos to minors. (May 1999)
by the Christian Coalition: an anti-family voting record. (Dec 2003)
Harry Reid on Foreign Policy


Voted YES on enlarging NATO to include Eastern Europe. (May 2002)
Voted YES on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons. (Sep 2000)
Voted NO on cap foreign aid at only $12.7 billion. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on limiting the President's power to impose economic sanctions. (Jul 1998)
Voted YES on limiting NATO expansion to only Poland, Hungary & Czech. (Apr 1998)
Voted YES on $17.9 billion to IMF. (Mar 1998)
Voted YES on Strengthening of the trade embargo against Cuba. (Mar 1996)
Voted YES on ending Vietnam embargo. (Jan 1994)
Harry Reid on Free Trade


Voted NO on establishing a free trade agreement between US & Singapore. (Jul 2003)
Voted NO on establishing a free trade agreement between the US and Chile. (Jul 2003)
Voted NO on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
Voted YES on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
Voted NO on permanent normal trade relations with China. (Sep 2000)
Voted NO on expanding trade to the third world. (May 2000)
Voted NO on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority. (Nov 1997)
Voted YES on imposing trade sanctions on Japan for closed market. (May 1995)
by CATO, indicating a pro-fair trade voting record. (Dec 2002)
Harry Reid on Government Reform


Voted YES on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads. (Mar 2002)
Voted YES on banning campaign donations from unions and corporations. (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on continuing funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. (Aug 1999)
Voted YES on favoring 1997 McCain-Feingold overhaul of campaign finance. (Oct 1997)
Voted NO on Approving the presidential line-item veto. (Mar 1996)
Voted NO on banning more types of Congressional gifts. (Jul 1995)
Harry Reid on Gun Control


Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)
Voted YES on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
Voted NO on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
Voted NO on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
Voted YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998)
Harry Reid on Health Care


Voted YES on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Jun 2003)
Voted YES on allowing importation of Rx drugs from Canada. (Jul 2002)
Voted YES on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001)
Voted NO on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on including prescription drugs under Medicare. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on limiting self-employment health deduction. (Jul 1999)
Voted YES on increasing tobacco restrictions. (Jun 1998)
Voted NO on Medicare means-testing. (Jun 1997)
Voted YES on medical savings acounts. (Apr 1996)
Invest funds to alleviate the nursing shortage. (Apr 2001)
Let states make bulk Rx purchases, and other innovations. (May 2003)
by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record. (Dec 2003)
Harry Reid on Homeland Security


Voted YES on adopting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on allowing another round of military base closures. (May 1999)
Voted NO on cutting nuclear weapons below START levels. (May 1999)
Voted YES on deploying National Missile Defense ASAP. (Mar 1999)
Voted YES on military pay raise of 4.8%. (Feb 1999)
Voted NO on deploying missile defense as soon as possible. (Sep 1998)
Voted NO on prohibiting same-sex basic training. (Jun 1998)
Voted YES on favoring 36 vetoed military projects. (Oct 1997)
Voted YES on banning chemical weapons. (Apr 1997)
Voted NO on considering deploying NMD, and amending ABM Treaty. (Jun 1996)
Voted YES on 1996 Defense Appropriations. (Sep 1995)
Federalize aviation security. (Nov 2001)
by SANE, indicating a pro-peace voting record. (Dec 2003)
Harry Reid on Immigration


Voted YES on allowing more foreign workers into the U.S. for farm work. (Jul 1998)
Voted YES on visas for skilled workers. (May 1998)
Voted NO on limit welfare for immigrants. (Jun 1997)
Harry Reid on Jobs


Voted NO on repealing Clinton's ergonomic rules on repetitive stress. (Mar 2001)
Voted NO on killing an increase in the minimum wage. (Nov 1999)
Voted NO on allowing workers to choose between overtime & comp-time. (May 1997)
Voted NO on replacing farm price supports. (Feb 1996)
Protect overtime pay protections. (Jun 2003)
by the AFL-CIO, indicating a pro-labor voting record. (Dec 2003)
Harry Reid on Principles & Values


Religious affiliation: Latter-day Saint. (Nov 2000)
Harry Reid on Social Security


Voted NO on Social Security Lockbox & limiting national debt. (Apr 1999)
Voted NO on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees. (May 1998)
Voted NO on allowing personal retirement accounts. (Apr 1998)
Voted NO on deducting Social Security payments on income taxes. (May 1996)
by the ARA, indicating a pro-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)
Harry Reid on Tax Reform


Voted NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years. (May 2003)
Voted NO on cutting taxes by $1.35 trillion over 11 years. (May 2001)
Voted YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001)
Voted YES on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001)
Voted NO on eliminating the 'marriage penalty'. (Jul 2000)
Voted NO on across-the-board spending cut. (Oct 1999)
Voted NO on $792B tax cuts. (Jul 1999)
Voted NO on requiring super-majority for raising taxes. (Apr 1998)
Voted NO on FY99 tax cuts. (Apr 1998)
by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
Harry Reid on War & Peace


Voted YES on $86.5 billion for military operations in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Oct 2003)
Voted YES on authorizing use of military force against Iraq. (Oct 2002)
Voted YES on allowing all necessary forces and other means in Kosovo. (May 1999)
Voted YES on authorizing air strikes in Kosovo. (Mar 1999)
Voted YES on ending the Bosnian arms embargo. (Jul 1995)
Condemns anti-Muslim bigotry in name of anti-terrorism. (Oct 2001)
Move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. (Nov 1995)
Harry Reid on Welfare & Poverty


Voted YES on welfare block grants. (Aug 1996)
Voted YES on eliminating block grants for food stamps. (Jul 1996)
Voted NO on allowing state welfare waivers. (Jul 1996)
Voted YES on welfare overhaul. (Sep 1995)
Tax credits to promite home ownership in distressed areas. (Apr 2003)

[wtmusic]

14. a very impressive list

did you copy and paste from Richard Ziser's website? Got a source?

[still_one]

20. here is the link

http://activote.ontheissues.org/AVA/Senate/Harry_Reid.htm

I messed up, I wanted to be more selective, but accidently marked more than I meant to

[wtmusic]

25. Eh

I should know more before I go spouting my mouth off. So not true blue, after all. True purple.

Is this the best we can do? This certainly doesn't look good for pro-choice.

Thanks for the list.

[MattWinMO]

33. the GOP did the same to Kerry....

Listed a bunch of his votes without even explaining the context of those votes.

Also it's pretty silly to oppose Reid as leader because he's not 100% liberal or pro-choice.

Sounds kind of like voters who ignored Bush's failures and voted him based on his views on one issue.

[barb162]

62. his record on environmental , etc.,totally sucks . is he a pug?

[SaveElmer]

12. Not exactly

Yes he did get re-elected by a wide margin, but so did Daschle the first time. Also, he is not true blue...he is anti-choice and pro-gun. Fine for Nevada, but not the kind of person we need to lead our party. What is he gonna do when the Supremes overturn Roe and the Senate starts trying to pass anti-abortion legislation ? And that will happen.

And, like Daschle he will be constantly looking over his shoulder to make sure he doesn't piss off his conservative supporters.

Good guy...bad choice!

[w4rma]

52. Reid is awesome. He'll do a fantastic job. (nt)

[Angelique]

35. I agree, he can't say what needs to be said..

because he comes from a closely contested state, and ended up a Red State.. When are we going to learn to pick leaders that have safe seats?

[ElectroPrincess]

37. You know - I think the left is right.

Us progressive to moderate Democrats MUST take the reigns from the impotent DLC. They do NOT have the average American's interest at heart. Instead they are a perverted nurse maid for their corporate contributors.

This must stop!

[earthside]

3. The Decline of the Democrats

Harry Reid is a great parliamentarian ... he is not the innovative, daring, articulate leader the Democrats need at this time in history.

Why not Harkin, or Dodd, or Durbin?

Sadly, this is a sign that the national Democratic leadership just doesn't 'get it' as far as activist, DUer-types are concerned.

Reid will play on the Bushites terms ... he'll just try to occassionally out-smart them.

It's just too bad.

[wtmusic]

10. Everybody's playing on the Bushites terms

Like it or not that's what we've got.

This debate will end up very similar to that of Kucinich vs. Kerry. What I like about Reid is that he is respectable and will appeal to a Republican-centrist base. Republican senators in swing states: you're on notice.

[cmutt]

21. The future of the dems?

Is this what we are confined to? Our minority leader has more-in-common with moderate Republicans than with staunch Democrats. Is this our long-term strategy--to move towards the middle? Our moving towards the middle ALLOWS the right to keep shifting more extremist policies on the public (see social security privatization, Alaskan drilling, national sales tax, etc for details).

We don't need to shift to the so-called middle at all! We need to define ourselves upon our core values -- not theirs! The never-ending media-right rhetoric have made extreme-right polices seem tolerable to a large percent of the public -- and in the process, have labeled even slight left-leaning principles as unpatrotic, absurd, or unsound. Unbiased news agencies that dare do anything other that regurgitate the Repub's speaking points are shouted down as having a liberal bias. We DON'T have a problem with where our principles (and our leadership) stands. We have a communication problem. We need MORE Ed Schult'z, MORE Air America's, and dare I say, we need a leftist news channel! We need to REDEFINE the middle back to where it was before the Limbaughs and the Hannity's hijacked it with their un-ending stream of lies and deception.

[barb162]

59. you are so right! Pat Buchanan is sounding normal to me and I

remember when he sounded to me like a right wing ideologue (which he still is).

[bin.dare]

11. total capitulation

is what we can look forward to. their slogan: "we will do all that we can do to make the republicans a better party for america"

yippee yi yeh !!

whores is too good a word for you, pimps is better.

[Lizzie Borden]

43. I couldn't agree more.

This is not good news for the progressive wing of the party.

[paulk]

50. with the Democratic deficit in the Senate

a parlimentarian might not be such a bad choice - if your only option is to gum up the works, Reid's a good choice.

Durbin as minority whip is a good move - it gives me some hope that the Democrats get it. Reid will be the (moderate) public face - Durbin (liberal) more behind the scenes.

[still_one]

5. THERE IS NO DEMOCRATIC PARTY ONLY REPUBLICANS NOW

[barb162]

58. many dems have caved...it's disgusting. Other than Kennedy,

Barney Frank and a few others, where are the "old" anti-war, pro choice,etc.,dems?

[Buddyblazon]

8. I just saw it too....

I tell you what. Our leadership sucks. Pick a guy from a red state...they'll have 'em by the short and curlies from the start.

The Kerry lawyers announce that computer fraud never crossed their minds...are these guys playing the rope a dope? Or are they truly that naive. I spent two years living in old Hollywood. Lived literally 200 feet from the famous Hollywood bus station. Used to watch the 15 year olds get off the bus all wide-eyed...and watch them descend into addiction and body pedaling over a matter of months outside my very window. And thats what these lawyers remind me of...no clue...unprepared...and getting bent over a barrel.

The guys at the top of our party appear to be strategists on the level of...oh say...Custer.

WTF has happened to our party.

Sorry for the bad attitude...but I've just gotten too pessimistic about what the higher ups that represent us are capable of.

[pmbryant]

17. Nevada is not a "red state"

Bush barely won Nevada. Please get your facts straight.

Reid just won re-election by a large margin. He doesn't have to worry about running again until 2010.

Reid is a tough, hard-nose fighter, despite appearances. He was the driving force behind Jeffords' switching parties in 2001 and stealing the GOP's majority out from under their nose.

Those of you who are unhappy with Reid as Minority Leader do not know who he is.

--Peter

[Buddyblazon]

19. Peter....

Surely, I hope your right. (didn't mean to call you Shirley ;) )

I'd say, "I'll give it a chance.", but it doesn't look like I have a choice.

[TankLV]

67. Oh, the problem is - we DO know who he is.

I've met with him on MANY occasions here in Vegas - I'm a member of the local Stonewall Dems club and Paradise Dems club.

When pressed on the issues, he resorts to telling us wonderful stories about growing up in Searchlite.

He'll be the LAST to stick his neck out on controversial issues - will be the FIRST to "go with the wind" as the political winds blow.

Invade Iran? - You ain't seen cheering for bunkerboy even get started yet! He'll be the first one out in front to prove how "patriotic" he is!

He couldn't be a worse choice.

He IS from a RED state - Dems carried ONLY Clark County - Vegas, the entire rest of the state went for bunkerboy.

We might all want to send him some lube to make his job easier.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

13. I like Reid.

He and Daschle lead the filibuster against Estrada. He's a good choice.
(on edit: thanks for fixing the spelling)

[Atlant]

23. You would.

> "I like Reid."

You would.

Atlant

[Zorra]

15. The Democratic Party will soon change its name to the League of Junior

Republicans.

The DLC has finally destroyed the Democratic Party.

[Julius Civitatus]

22. THIS IS A TERRIBLE CHOICE!!!

No way! This isn't happening!

What the fuck is wrong with the Democratic Party? What the fuck is wrong with these people? Just what the fuck? :grr:

Reid is basically a moderate Republican with a strong anti-choice history and a shaky state base. He will need to keep pandering to their troglodyte voting base to keep his seat. They needed to choose a strong Blue State Democrat with a solid base (NY, Mass, or CA), able to say whatever needs to be said without being afraid of scaring his Rethug base.

Why do we keep shooting ourselves on the foot, over and over again? Why do they try to be the "Republican-lite" party?

I'm truly sick and offended by the lack of wisdom and thinking behind this choice. I'm just about to GIVE UP on the Democrats, MY party, the party I have volunteered for and supported since I was old enough to know about politics. They truly are making things worse with this stupid choice, just at a moment when the Republicans are going even more wacko on the rest of us, and when Bush is purging any moderates out of his cabinet.

:cry:

[SoCalDem]

24. When is Harry up for re-election? If it's '06, they are preparing the ads

right now.. What a dumb thing to do:(

The minority leader should be someone BOLD..not another milquetoast who will grovel at *²'s feet:puke:

[Walt Starr]

30. He was just re-elected

Next time he's up for re-election is '06.

They went with protocol rather than intelligence. Reid was the Minority Whip under Daschle, so he gets to be the Minority Leader after Daschle.

[w4rma]

54. You mean 2010. Sen. Reid isn't up for reelection until 2010. (nt)

[Maat]

31. I'm feeling the way you are, Julius.

n/t

[Snellius]

41. Reid will only help lead the wimpy lambs to their slaughter.

There was a news conference today with Reid, Durbin, and Stabinow -- the biggest wimps in the Dem party. Where's Teddy or Hillary or even Corzine or Boxer?

[bspence]

26. Against Abortion and Gun Laws, fucking great

We had a super-wimp with Daschle, now we've got a Republican. Fucking wonderful.

These are the same morons who picked John Kerry as our nominee, and pushed out Howard Dean.

We'll never be the opposition party acting like this.

[kwolf68]

27. Horrific

And the demise of the Dems continues unabated. No wonder Schumer and Corzine want to get the hell out of the Senate.

[Name removed]

46. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[PurityOfEssence]

28. Yes, we're spineless AND stupid

He's pro-life, wimpy and from a purplish-red state. Why don't we just pass out the GOP kneepads and do the Full Monica?

[Fleshdancer]

29. Yeah, because safe and legal abortions were over rated anyway

:grr:

Perfect timing! Bush gets to choose a SC Justice and the bible thumpers are salivating over making abortions criminal and dangerous again!!! Hey, I know...let's choose Reid to lead the Democrats in the Senate!!! That sounds super. Good job guys. What a way to show Democratic leadership! You REALLY have your finger on the pulse of us Dems. Keep up the super duper job! Gold stars stickers for everyone!!

i think i just blew my sarcasm valve.

[kevin881]

32. so much for abortion rights.... -nt

[tokenlib]

34. Reid does have to work with Durbin and Stabenow..

Maybe we shouldn't despair too much. But I am very discouraged by Reid's record.

[Roxy66]

36. Why not Kerry, Biden, Durbin, or Hillary?

[olddad56]

38. What difference does it make. The democratic party is toast anyway.

It really doesn't matter how you rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic.

[ElectroPrincess]

40. Yes, but if enough Americans wake up

Perhaps we can get enough Democrats in the congress during 2006 to impeach the whole lot of these warmongers.

[nevadascandal]

42. Perhaps we should do some reading before getting too whiney...

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Nov-16-Tue-2004/news/25270179.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53859-2004Nov16.html

And if Reid derails Yucca Mountain and the Nuclear Waste ends up in New York or California, you won't see me crying....

[DELUSIONAL]

44. Well I am no longer a democrat

If a rabid anti abortionist anti choice male asshole is Senate Minority leader -- the democratic party has just kicked me out.

So I guess I am an Independent as of 16 November 2004

[w4rma]

53. Reid is awesome. You don't know what you are talking about.

You need to look at his whole record. He exactly the type of Democrat that can unite this country again. With Reid as Senate leader Dems are able to talk to the pro-gun folks and the anti-abortion Christians and they will be more open to listening to our opinions on every other subject. He helps to wipe the biggest two wedge issues right off the table.

He's also got the fire in the belly to fight that Daschle never seemed to have.

[barb162]

56. we shouldn't have a Dem leader who is anti choice; it's a right

women have had for about 40 years. Even some Dems have become closet pugs. Obama is a uniter but he's new to the Senate and he's pro-choice. Reid scares the hell out of me

[barb162]

57. we shouldn't have a Dem leader who is anti choice; it's a right

women have had for about 40 years. Even some Dems have become closet pugs. Obama is a uniter but he's new to the Senate and he's pro-choice. Reid scares the hell out of me

[TankLV]

68. YOU don't know what you're talking about! He is a horrible choice.

I'm from his district in Vegas. Live here since before he was first elected - barely by 200 votes - the first time.

He's a pink tutu.

Has to get votes from a large repuke base, too.

Pass the lube, please.

[Democat]

45. Democrats never learn - do we have to wait for him to lose for another?

Our party is so fucking stupid.

[PeteGammons]

47. All I need to know...

...is that the Rethuglicans are saying he'll be easier to work with.

That screams "bad idea" to me.

[PeteGammons]

51. Someone just sent me this...

"I was listening to NPR and almost had to pull over to the side of the road. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), the new senate minority leader, stated that he hoped President Bush would not nominate Justice Clarence Thomas as the next chief justice. And then he said something that stunned me (and I am paraphrasing here): "But if the president were to nominate Antonin Scalia, that would be another matter. Although I don't always agree with Justice Scalia, I cannot deny his brilliance."

Oh. My. God.

Can anyone confirm this? Did anyone hear that? Can it possibly be true? And if so, why the fuck is this guy the Minority leader?!?!?

[barb162]

60. didn't hear it but I believe it when I hear he is anti-choice, etc. He

sounds like a true pugster. I say dump him. I want the old Democrat oarty back.

[gulfcoastliberal]

65. I heard that garbage!

I couldn't fucking believe Reid's verbal fellating of Scalia. He made him sound like he's smarter than Steven Hawking and EInstein put together.

Way to go on the new minority leader. I'm disgusted beyond words.

[TankLV]

69. Yep - I heard it too, and had the same reaction.

We are truly fucked as a party and country.

He actually thinks bunkerboy is an "honerable man".

[barb162]

63. LOL, how true

[sadiesworld]

48. He appears to be decent on trade, labor & taxes...

but the anti-choice record is worrisome.

[nevadascandal]

49. Pelosi likes Harry....

from

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041116/dctu057_1.html

House Minority Leader Pelosi on Reid:

"Senate Democrats have made an outstanding choice in Harry Reid. He is a gentleman, a statesman, and a man of great integrity. His deep commitment to the core values of our party is matched only by his legislative brilliance. There is no one better qualified to fill the enormous shoes of Tom Daschle, who has served our party and our nation with such distinction.

"Senator Reid and I enjoyed an excellent working relationship when we each served as the Democratic Whips of our respective chambers. His counsel was insightful and indispensable, and his grace under pressure will serve him well as Leader.

"I congratulate Senator Reid on his election and look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role."

[doreme]

55. Rats. Sinking. Ship.

http://www.gp.org/

[KoKo]

61. Disgusting! n/t

[Blue_Tires]

64. i would rather they selected a 'safe' blue state liberal

one of these days, the GOP will run a more conservative candidate, and we'll be out of another leader...

[seemslikeadream]

70. Does anyone think Reid needs to explain this?

They could well afford it. In the final days of the Bush (Senior) administration, the Interior Department made an extraordinary but little noticed change in procedures under the 1872 Mining Law, the gold rush-era act that permitted those whiskered small-time prospectors with their tin pans and mules to stake claims on their tiny plots. The department initiated an expedited procedure for mining companies that allowed Barrick to swiftly lay claim to the largest gold find in America. In the terminology of the law, Barrick could “perfect its patent” on the estimated $10 billion in ore—for which Barrick paid the U.S. Treasury a little under $ 10,000. Eureka!


Barrick, of course, had to put up cash for the initial property rights and the cost of digging out the booty (and the cost of donations, in smaller amounts, to support Nevada’s Democratic senator, Harry Reid). Still, the shift in rules paid off big time: According to experts at the Mineral Policy Center of Washington, DC, Barrick saved—and the U.S. taxpayer lost—a cool billion or so.

Upon taking office, Bill Clinton’s new interior secretary, Bruce Babbitt, called Barrick’s claim the “biggest gold heist since the days of Butch Cassidy.” Nevertheless, because the company followed the fast-track process laid out for them under Bush, this corporate Goldfinger had Babbitt by the legal nuggets. Clinton had no choice but to give them the gold mine while the public got the shaft.

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Barrick says it had no contact whatsoever with the president at the time of the rules change.<1> There was always a place in Barrick’s heart for the older Bush—and a place on its payroll. In 1995, Barrick hired the former president as Honorary Senior Advisor to the Toronto company’s International Advisory Board. Bush joined at the suggestion of former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney, who, like Bush, had been ignominiously booted from office. I was a bit surprised that the president had signed on. When Bush was voted out of the White House, he vowed never to lobby or join a corporate board. The chairman of Barrick openly boasts that granting the title “Senior Advisor” was a sly maneuver to help Bush tiptoe around this promise.

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