Reid is kickin' some ASS!

[Desert Liberal]

He is making concise, clear points. Is anyone besides CSPAN carrying this?

[Nite Owl]

1. 'Birth Tax'

did you get that one. Good framing for the deficit.

[Desert Liberal]

5. Exactly! He is laying out all these huge sums of money...

...in a way normal Joe Sixpack can understand.
Social Security roulette and moral values too! YEAH BABY!!!

[davidwparker]

19. That's a good one. I'll have to catch the repeat on C-SPAN.

Been listening to Malloy.

[El Supremo]

2. What? He's a damn wimp!

I could care less about his own human interest story. He needs to attack Bush's fascism.

[Dinger]

3. I Don't Think So

I'd like something a little more spirited, but he's not done yet.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

4. like Groundhog day the movie!

same thing over and over again!

[jab105]

6. Not really...but he gets a point for using "moral" and "immoral" to define

Bush's economic plans...that is a key frame that needs to be repeated over and over...

[PennyK]

7. "We are all God's children..."

Whoa!

[Starone]

8. MSNBC is carrying it

Reid was good; Pelosi is starting out strong

[napi21]

9. It's on all the networks too.

I know Reid is not the hard ass kicking personality that a lot of us would like, but he's doing a good job. He can't be called crazy, or evil, or mean spirited. He's just making sense, and I think that's good.

Nancy is on now, and she's doing a good job too.

[FreedomAngel82]

32. I saw a little bit of it

and agree. Mr. Reid does make valid points and he doesn't just spew out like some do I've seen on networks to talk. He's very calm and I like how he does talk about morals and how Bush doesn't do anything with morals like he thinks. Yay Reid! I didn't see much of Pelosi but she was strong about Iraq and I agreed with her.

[meow2u3]

10. Social Security Roulette

Guaranteed benefit cuts of 40%....coming from a senator who represents vegas, of all things!

[Desert Liberal]

13. Yes I thought that was particularly apropo!

[Starone]

15. Great phrase!

[cattleman22]

46. I thought this was one of his weakest points.

I just can not take a person seriously if they think that owning part of a US company is anything like gambling in Las Vegas.

[Emboldened Chimp]

11. This response is weak

I like Reid--he's great on the Senate floor--but this response is meek and mild. The language he's using is too vague and impersonal, and his delivery is soft. His periodic chortling come off as fake and his makeup makes him look like a clown. I'm sorry, but our response is not very good. We need someone dynamic who uses clear, personal language.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

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

[Desert Liberal]

14. Well, yes, but they ARE saying what we want said.

[59millionmorons]

16. Yeah, maybe he should scream

That will make the party look viable. Good grief, some of you people are lame.

[Bark Bark Bark]

20. THANK you.

So many of my bookmarked political sites are turning into last night's "Daily Show." To wit, something like this:

"Global warming is marching on, while BushCo is obsessing about gay marriage...but f*** that! Let's talk about how stupid Kerry looks and how HE failed US! Stupid war hero! We love Dean now! Even though we turned on him like a snake after 'the scream!' We can't win! We just can't win!!"

Karl watches it and smiles.

[KittyWampus]

33. I Agree. Why Lambast The GOP? It's So Much More Fun Hating Democrats

[hector459]

17. If you can stay awake.

I only want Boxer to respond or Kennedy

[IronLionZion]

18. Yes, Reid is good leader

ignore the wankers on this board who are hell bent on trashing Democrats.

[Itsthetruth]

21. Yawn .... Anyone Fall Asleep During Reid's Speech?

I think many people tuned out. He really didn't come across as some great crusader and defender of social security. And he didn't even mention social security until late in his talk! He should have led on that issue. Perhaps he should have said something like:

"President Bush lied when he told you that social security is in a crisis, that it is going bankrupt. If you're a younger worker you will get the full social security benefits promised. In 2018 the social security trust fund will have nearly 6 trillion dollars in assets, over and above money spent for benefits.

The fund is not broke. It doesn't need to be "fixed". The real purpose of Bush's proposal is to destroy the social security program while Wall Street interests enrich themselves by taking your money. George Bush and the Republicans are unwilling to guarantee any rate of return on money you might invest in so-called "private investment accounts". The only thing they can guarantee is that investment brokers will make billions of dollars in fees off your money. It's a fraud. A scam.

We will fight to defend and protect the social security fund from those who want to destroy it. We call upon you to participate in and help build a powerful movement to defend social security. We need your help and participation. Don't let President Bush and his Walls Street friends destroy social security."

[IronLionZion]

22. YOU, run for office and say that

Don't worry, we'll support you.

[nancyharris]

25. It is incorrect to say:

<"In 2018 the social security trust fund will have nearly 6 trillion dollars in assets, over and above money spent for benefits.">

In 2018 the trust fund will have 6 trillion dollars in IOUs not assets. There are no "funds" in the SS trust fund.

Democrats need to put forward a real plan not bury their heads in the sand. That is a loosing tactic.

[Itsthetruth]

29. Treasury Notes, Not IOU's.

The fund will have nearly 6 trillion dollars invested in treasury securities in 2018, not IOU's. That is the safest investment you will find. The government has never defaulted on such securities, not even during the great depression of the 1930's.



Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Trust Funds, 1957-2003

Year End Assets After All Benefits Were Paid

1957 23,042 23 billion, 42 million dollars
1958 23,243
1959 21,966
1960 22,613
1961 22,162
1962 20,705
1963 20,715
1964 21,172
1965 19,841
1966 22,308
1967 26,250
1968 28,729
1969 34,182
1970 38,068
1971 40,434
1972 42,775
1973 44,414
1974 45,886
1975 44,342
1976 41,133
1977 35,861
1978 31,746
1979 30,291
1980 26,453
1981 24,539
1982 24,778
1983 24,867
1984 31,075
1985 42,163
1986 46,861
1987 68,807
1988 109,762
1989 162,968
1990 225,277
1991 280,747
1992 331,473
1993 378,285
1994 436,385
1995 496,068
1996 566,950
1997 655,510
1998 762,460
1999 896,133
2000 1,049,445
2001 1,212,533
2002 1,377,965
2003 1,530,764 One trillion, 530 billion, 764 million dollars.

Social Security Trust Fund assets are projected to increase to nearly 6 trillion dollars by 2018.

[nancyharris]

43. Treasury notes

ARE IOUs... The Social Security surplus is spent as part of the general budget each year. In return, the government issues IOUs in the form of bonds to the "trust" fund. When those bonds reach maturity they are paid with general revenue funds - TAXES.

Now you can either spend the tax money on schools, public works, healthcare and the environment or you can spend it on paying off the bonds that were isssued years before to pay for the war in Iraq. Of course the government will pay off the bonds, but that means there will be less money in the general revenue for descresionary spending.

Nice graph - but it shows government DEBT not Assets

Wake UP!

[cindyw]

40. Bet you think old people have nothing of value to share either.

Sometimes you have to sit quietly and listen to the wisdom of soft spoken experienced people. Look what Bush's youthful exuberance has given us.

[stevedeshazer]

23. Reid was terrible, absolutely awful

I'm sorry, I like Harry Reid, but he started out talking about Searchlight, Nevada (his home town) which NO ONE cares about, he's completely inanimate before the camera, the entire set looked contrived, and in the ten seconds I took to evaluate that as soon as he started speaking, I heard the clicking of millions of TVs switching back to anything, ANYTHING else.

I wish it weren't so, but that's how I saw it.

And Nancy Pelosi was even worse.

That was a complete and total embarrassment, as far as I'm concerned.

[bling bling]

26. Yes -- he did not "grab" my attention at all.

I completely agree that people probably gave him a few seconds and then turned the channel. I really believe that only the Dems and political junkies stayed tuned to that.

[autorank]

35. Identification with the speaker...foundation of successful rhetoric.

Rhetoric, being the best available means of persuasion, is not about what you or I find boring or provincial, it's about what the audience in general accepts as evidence in favor of the speakers points. Reid used logic, identification with the audience, and moral points well. The logic is without question because he sounds just like DU on the points he addressed. His comments about Search Light hit on target for both those in/from small communities and those who identify these communities as essentially, quintessentially American symbols. He pulled out the moral arguments with his comment about us all being "God's children" and core Democratic values. While he may bore you, he hit the right points for the audience. Pelosi was very precise and clear.

Just remember this. Reid is ready to kick some serious ass on Social Security and a host of other issues. He laid out the rationale in a calm, logical style with that "down home" appeal to the mass of people out there we to whom we have to appeal.

Looking at it from the audience appeal point of view, he did extremely well.

[Geek_Girl]

24. I liked his response

It gave me the warm fuzzies. He's trying to appeal to middle America and talk about democratic values. I think he did a good job.

Unfortunately I think many thought that Bush's speech would focus on domestic issues for some reason and not a pretext to invade Iran. So the dems may have missed the boat on that one.

What democrats need to do in the up in coming weeks and months Is flat out confront the administration and make them say whether or not they have any plans on the table for Iran.

[Itsthetruth]

30. Warm Fuzzies. How Nice.

Glad he gave your warm fuzzies. Is that what the American people were hoping for .... warm fuzzies and perhaps a blanky?

[Geek_Girl]

34. Unfortunately Yes

That's what Americans want. They want the Warm fuzzies and a security blanket. They want a daddy president that will tuck them in at night and tell them don't worry I won't let the boogie man hurt you.

[Itsthetruth]

36. I Disagree

No. That's not what most working people want at all. They want a tough, strong president who stands up to and fights the corporate interests that are driving this nation into the ground. Not someone funded by those interests.

Maybe such a candidate will run in 2008. But, they would have to reject any corporate donations.

[ClarkUSA]

27. He was very effective, considering most Americans are not into "red meat"

yelling and screaming nutcases in the Democratic response to the SOTU.

[autorank]

37. He's doing the "set up"...

Oh, that Harry Reid is such a nice guy, simple and plain spoken. Then when Reid has to do some serious ass kicking he will be even more effective. Wow, if that Bush guy is pissing off old Harry, he must be a major asshole. You're right about initial "soft salvo" but just wait until things get going. I've seen him on C-SPAN last session. When the chips are down, he can be a very tough guy and piercing in his argument and attack. I can't wait to watch nice old Harry do the outraged thing.

GO CLARK!!!

[Itsthetruth]

39. Waiting For Things To Get Going

I've been waiting for 4 long years for "things to get going". Must I wait 4 more years?

Perhaps after social security is destroyed we can heat things up and feel all warm and fuzzy.

[autorank]

42. Welcome to DU!!! Wait no longer. First there was one (Boxer); then there

was 13 (against Rice); now there are 45 (with Jeffords). We're ramped up. I agree on the last four years. I think Tommy D is a bright guy but he lacked the killer instinct or an ability to play the big game. Reid essentially endorsed Boxer (he debated in her favor), encouraged the 13 against Rice, and waited for "the moment," the "third rail issue," to do the set up. He'll use Social Security to unify the Democrats and keep kicking *'s ass until Providence opens the skys and we're rid of these Repuke majorities. All we need is fair elections in 2006 (a real challenge).

[Blue Wally]

28. Both Pelosi and Reid

launched salvo after salvo of glittering generalities. Where are our Democratic programs. Screw attacking Bush as a liar. We need to say what we want, when we want it, and how to get there. ABB didn't work in Novemeber, and it won't work now.

[Itsthetruth]

38. So Why Do They Seem So Weak?

Perhaps they don't want what you and I want. That would explain their behavior.

[zmdem]

41. Pelosi and Reid were weak

Reid's log cabin story, spare me. Pelosi's being inspired by the military and invoking God at the end: Lame. Does anyone really think she believes this stuff ? The Democratic party really needs to come to grips with these issues. If they wish to be the pascifist party, OK, but then be honest about it.

The American electorate may be a dim bulb, but even they can see a phony.

[Blue Wally]

47. Maybe Rush is right

He always says that the Democratic Party is afraid to tell Americans where they really stand for fear of being rejected. Pelosi and Reid sure personified this. I know that what pelosi said is not her true position politically.

[pdurod1]

31. Reid connected with me!

[CWebster]

44. Okay, headphones on. nt

[CWebster]

45. Boxer up now. nt