An Impressive First Round for Harry Reid
03/06/05
Admit it. You, too, were among the doubters when Harry Reid was named to replace Tom Daschle as Senate minority leader. Here, you thought, was another gray, uncharismatic moderate from a red state who would put up at best token opposition to this administration and the Republican congressional juggernaut. More Republican bullying, more matador style Democratic faux-obstruction.
But in his first several months in the position, Senator Reid has done a stand up job. One of his first moves was to open a desperately needed Senate Democratic Communications Center (whose internet outreach person has been seen participating over at Daily Kos). Reid has stood firm on social security, and kept (most) of his fellow Senate Democrats in line. He realizes that this is an issue Democrats can and should win on, and that there is no need to (and therefore no place for) compromise. He has made clear that he is more than willing to work with Howard Dean, even if he wasn't his first choice. He was the subject of a Republican hit piece after he assumed his current post, and so he is very much aware of their take no prisoners policy.
And, of course, he has made ripples, nay, waves in Washington by being the first person to say the truth that could no longer be hidden: that Alan Greenspan is not the neutral saint of economic truth, but a Republican hack whose pronouncements are almost always in concord with whatever garbage the administration happens to be pushing.
He may not be a fiery crusader, but he's certainly exceeded expectations so far. Go get 'em Harry.
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Far from it. Reid has shown himself to be a weakling- getting steamrolled on the lawsuit reform and bankruptcy reform bill by the GOP. Nearly half of Dem senators broke on both bills to support Bush. Where was Reid? Who can't even manage his own flock. When he was selected, people were saying he was soft. Now he's proved it. If this is "impressive", I hate to see what comes next.
BCG, you're right that the passage of the lawsuit reform bill showed a typical lack of resolve. (Although the majority of Dem Sens still voted against it.) Still, according to Anthony Sebok at FindLaw, this bill isn't that bad, and the main danger is that it would be used as a wedge to wider and more pernicious tort reform.
The bankruptcy bill hasn't been voted on yet. If you're talking about the amendments the Democrats have been offering in an effort either to kill or sidetrack the bill, only three or four have broken ranks. This is a problem, I agree, but hardly surprising -- our side has always lacked the discipline of the GOP. I still think Reid's efforts in holding the Dems together in a highly unfavorable situation has been admirable so far.
Reid is the MAN!!!!!!
Who knew what we were missing?
BCG, I feel your pain, but everything is relative. Reid is showing strength and courage in places Daschle could only have dreamed of.
I remember writing the DNC and my senator to express my dismay at Sen Reid's appointment as minority leader. I have since recanted my position. I believe the combination of Dean and Reid is a winner. Reid is a fighter, I appreciated him standing with Boxer. The remarks regarding Greenspan were perfect, and overdue.
Reid hasn't been perfect but he has been a hell-of-a-lot better than I anticipated! As has Dean.
Not only should we give our support and communicate with both Reid and Dean, but we should let our Senators' and Representative KNOW that we support their actions!!!
I have been reading George Lakoff's book. What bothers me the most is our party being so damned WEAK. Our representatives (I mean senators, because the representatives have so far shown to be more speakers of the truth!) are too silent. Where is the outrage? Where is the venomnous attack on the despicable actions, attempts and agenda of this vile administration? I am sick of the weaklings. We, the people out here in Americaland and bloggerland and everywhere else (Washington Magazine, the Nation, Mother Jones, etc) are calling for the Democrats to UNITE and close ranks. We need radical, outspoken, outraged and loudly protesting voices against this Unamerican attack on our country that the rad-cons are waging in their war agains the working people. Why are they still acting like spineless nitwits? We want to hear loud denunciation of the evils and perils this administration has done to almost every single American's future! Why are they not decrying the corporatocracy? The evils? the vile rape and pillage of our very structure? Why have they not signed on GEORGE LAKOFF as campaign manager or media consultant for a nationwide, unified effort?
Dems, if you lose this next election, forget ever having a constituency. Hang it up; turn it over to the Greens, the Libertarians, or some other asyetunknown party. Because we, out here in aware-of-what's-going-on land, horrified as we are, are sick to no end of this pandering, this capitulation, this bending to the rad-con's wishes and big business interests at OUR EXPENSE.
