Harry Reid — who has (a) done more than any other individual to ensure that Bush’s demands for telecom immunity and warrantless eavesdropping powers will be met in full and (b) allowed the Republicans all year to block virtually every bill without having to bother to actually filibuster — went to the Senate floor yesterday and, with the scripted assistance of Mitch McConnell and Pat Leahy, warned Chris Dodd, Russ Feingold and others that they would be selfishly wreaking havoc on the schedules of their fellow Senators (making them work over the weekend, ruining their planned “retreat,” and even preventing them from going to Davos!) if they bothered everyone with their annoying, pointless little filibuster.
To do so, Reid announced that, unlike for the multiple filibusters from Republican colleagues, he would actually force Dodd and company to engage in a real filibuster. This is what Reid said:
[I]f people think they are going to talk this to death, we are going to be in here all night. This is not something we are going to have a silent filibuster on. If someone wants to filibuster this bill, they are going to do it in the openness of the Senate.
That is what Democrats have been urging Reid to do to the filibustering Republicans all year — in order to dramatize their obstructionism — but he has refused to make them actually filibuster anything, generously agreeing instead that every bill requires 60 votes. Instead, he reserves such punishment only for the members of his own caucus trying to take a stand for the rule of law and the Constitution, those who are trying finally to bring some accountability to this administration. Read on…
Unbelievable. So much for doing the people’s work. I’ll echo John last night and say this is an opportunity for the Democratic candidates to show some leadership, since Reid is obviously not going to. Clinton, Obama, Edwards? Where are you? This is a no-brainer to stand up for the American people.
As angry as I am at this news (and trust me, it’s a good thing John doesn’t like swearing in posts, because I’ve got some words for Harry that would make a sailor blush), and as much as I encourage you to contact Harry Reid, I would also ask that you take a deep breath before doing so. Tempting as it is to hurl some choice invectives and smack down Reid (metaphorically, of course) for forgetting that he is the leader of the opposition party, I’m fairly sure nasty emails will get us absolutely nowhere. Think about how you’d react to a ranting and raving letter. So I ask you to make your feelings known but do it respectfully and in a manner in which you’d like to be addressed.
No Trackbacks To “Harry Reid: Democratic Leader?“
Reid is just another Republican, pretending to be a Democrat.
He doesn’t read the bills that he votes on. Why would he read an email?
Opposition? What opposition?
Senator Reid, pleaser resign…. now. You don’t seem serious about upholding the Constitution. Leave now.
This is why I don’t understand why a Republican running as a Democrat is better than a Republican running as a Republican. Isn’t the Republican running as a Republican at least a bit more honest?
Im going to end up voting for Ron Paul if this shit continues. Hillary and Obama better support this,
Harry,
The American public (and me especially) demand justice. You need to do the right thing (not the political thing). We have to move our system away from monied interests. We have to get back to some of the traditions I have come to expect from my country. Saying “we may torture, but at least we don’t cut people’s heads off” is not what I’m expecting.
We have to stand for some principles if we wish to gain the respect of the public, even if they may not agree, I think they’ll come to agree if they see justice being done. Justice, by the way, means not just preventing the innocent from being convicted, it also means not letting the guilty go free. Right now, that is what you are doing. You are showing to the country that there really isn’t much difference in principle between the Rs and the Ds. Say it isn’t so!
Turns out Harry isn’t a spineless weasel afterall.
Just a weasel.
harry reid is a worthless tool. He never should have got the position and I hope he’s screwing all the dems who voted for him. Bunch of morons.
This is another chance for Dodd.
Let’s do another “tell Harry, and other Americans, what Democrat really stands for”. Post up some nice stuff for Dodd to work through, and send him a coupla bucks while we are at it, if that’s his thing.
I think talk all night is exactly what we need to happen.
Damn, how many of us would want for that chance. I was just thinking about the last 7+ years… man, so much to unload, and put into the context of this discussion. Reid’s actions, and the actions of so many others are just not defensible. Knowing this, to just get up there and keep talking until they fully and completely grok that would be well worth it.
Hope somebody does this. It absolutely needs to be done.
Time to start publicly shopping for a new majority leader, and also a Democratic primary opponent for Reid. He won’t be so sanguine about his stinky base then, will he?
I heard today that cheney was going to speak about the FISA bill. It was mentioned on c-span so I am assuming that he spoke publicly. I’m guessing he also spoke privately to Reid earlier this week. What could he threaten Reid with to make Reid take this position?
I can’t write to Reid right now and make it pleasant, my mind doesn’t work that way when I’m way pissed. There’s gotta be a cooling off time first. :evil:
The congressional dems have decided it’s best to play centerfield and cheat to right field.
They can’t be concerned about left field, where all the action is.
Fuck em.
And let’s get our blue candidates to lead the charge to get Harry out of leadership.
My note to Senator Reid:
Dear Senator Reid,
With all due respect, What the heck are you thinking?
Why will you allow items through the Senate without forcing the Republicans to filibuster for them and yet you will force members of your own party to actually filibuster? What sense does that make?
You are supposed to be the leader of the “opposition party” not the “go-along-to-get-along party.”
I implore you; I beg you… remember “We The People” are your employers, and as such, I demand you, Sir, at least pretend to act like the Senate Leader of the Democratic Party. Stop opposing your own caucus!
harry, you are a joke. you and nancy should take a long walk off a short cliff.
pissed off patricia @ 11:
Only the people listening in on Reid and his family’s phone calls can answer that question Pop.
pissed off patricia @ 11:
blast that son-of-a-bitch for not doing his goddamn job.
I agree with #4 Weaseldog. This baloney about vote for Obama or Hillary (DINO’s) are better than having a Republican get in. Balloney. Look what Reid and Pelosi have done for the progressives in this party. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Screw them. If they think I’m going to go out and vote for any of these enablers in November, they are crazy. The only one I would even think about making an effort to go out and vote for is JOHN EDWARDS. Go to Hell Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi. You guys disgust me. AT least The Republicans show there true colors up front. The Democrats are a bunch of gutless sneaks. That’s worse.
A lot of people incorrectly blame Pelosi for the current, pathetic Democratic Congress. While she has been far too lenient with the Republicans at times for the sake of ‘keeping the peace’ and running a ‘bipartisan’ House, it’s Reid who has time and again illustrated his staggering incompetence. He is desperately seeking the unmitigated approval of the Republican Party, for reasons unbeknownst to the general public. He will end up with few friends on either side of the isle when all is said and done, a forgotten figure who, when brought up, only makes people want to spit.
For what it’s worth, I wrote:
Dear Senator Reid;
My family and I will appreciate your representing the voice of the majority of Americans as you oppose warrantless eavesdropping and immunity for telecommunications companies that may have broken the law.
Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Some Democrats are better than others. Judge which kind Obama and Clinton are by their action or inaction on this matter.
And then Vote Edwards in the primaries!
Weaseldog @ 15:
My first thought was blackmail. Not the kind we usually think of, but a political kind. Maybe Harry went along with something just because he was asked to even though he knew he shouldn’t, and now cheney threatens to expose Harry if Harry gives him any trouble.
I don’t know if that qualifies for a conspiracy theory but if it does, I’m sorry. :(
pissed off patricia @ 21:
Or maybe Harry is really a Republican at heart, and ran as a Democrat because he knew it would get him elected?
So what is up, Pelosi won’t give up the records that would help the investigators in the Foley affair, and now this crap, again, with Dean?
Perhaps Harry was referring to the fellow senators who are running for the white house when he said a filibuster would disrupt others schedules. I hope not.
Weaseldog @ 22:
Or maybe someone has him by the short hairs. Who the fu*k knows but he owes us an explanation.
My e-mail:
As an American citizen and loyal Democrat I am hoping you will not give this corrupt administration yet another pass and let them get away with immunity for themselves and the corporations who allowed themselves to be illegally strong-armed into spying on American citizens in total contradiction to the Constitution of the United States.
Please go to bat for we the people, not Bush, Cheney and their corporate cronies.
Chris Dodd is a shining star and an example of a real legislator for the people for taking this on.
How do we go about compelling Harry to give up the explanation or face removal/censure/something? This turns my stomach, and I find it hard to believe that Reid would support the ‘thugs’ on this one… without being either duped or coerced.
Or maybe Harry is really a Republican at heart, and ran as a Democrat because he knew it would get him elected?
Not in Nevada - when he first ran for the Senate this state was about as red as red could get. Still is, for the most part (the number of letters from Republicans demanding his head on a platter is astounding).
My parents have supported him and voted for him for nearly two decades. So have I. But I’m done - if he won’t stand up for the Constitution, then he doesn’t get my vote.
Too bad we don’t have a good progressive challenger for him - we had to import Jack Carter to run in 2006 against John Ensign, and he got his hat handed to him. Most of the Democratic leaders around here are “centrists”, not progressive firebrands. And the ones who are (State Sen. Minority Leader Dina Titus, State Asemblyman David Bobzien) won’t run for higher office.
Hey, Harry Reid is caught between a rock and a hard place. There’s nothing he can do. The Republicans are just TOO POWERFUL because they still exist. Only when we give the Democratic party unilateral, unchallenged ultimate veto-proof authority will we see real change.
Until then, all he can do is appease the obstructionists. Hey, what would YOU do?
So shut up and keep voting for Democrats. As soon as not one Republican holds so much as a county dog catcher seat, you’ll get your justice.
Oh yes. You will.
Time for Reid to go away.
He’s a total embarrassment.
The Repubs are still in control of the Senate.
goatsage @ 26:
Is it too late to add my name to your letter? I like it.
pop @ 31 - Thanks, it’s already been sent. I have no doubt you can make a similar argument with your own words. Civility counts.
http://reid.senate.gov/contact/email_form.cfm
reid is a LIEberDem, ’nuff said!
When I click on the BillO post to go to the comments, I get error message 404 that the page can not be found. Just an FYI. It could be found about five minutes ago, but not now. Maybe the page ran out for a potty break or something.
goatsage @ 32:
Civility counts and that’s why I’m not in the right mental place right now. I have to find my civility first.
The DoW is up 240 points right now. And the billO post is gone. I feel like I’m in the twilight zone. :roll:
Corporate America controls more than just 100% of the GOP. Their tentacles extend to the Democratic Party as well and Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are just doing what they are told. Nothing to see here folks, move along.
Dear America, We are getting what we voted for. Quit bitchin !
I JUST got off the phone with Senator Reid’s DC office. Here is the HONEST TO GOD answer I got when I asked WHY Senator Reid would force Democrats into the well of the Senate to filibuster when he will simply allow the Republicans to phone it in.
On FISA:
“Because Senator Reid thinks it’s important to show the nation how important this issue is. He wants people to see Democrats filibustering it”
His little minion also told me the Senator supported the NO retroactive immunity. I asked him then why Senator Reid didn’t JUST bring that bill to the Senate floor, I said HE CAN DO THAT CAN’T HE?
My reply:
“Because Senator Reid thinks it’s important to show the nation how important this issue is. He wants people to see Democrats filibustering it”
What an idiot
Sent my letter. Take notice….NV voters, look what happened in CT…Lieberman & Lamont.
Isn’t Harry Reid’s son a powerful player and big-time supporter of Senator Hillary Clinton?
Harry is such a manly man.
Like a Rock Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
The one party thing is a cliche of politics. But Reid makes it a reality in my mind. A pox on both parties.
Mark @ 39:
Thanks for doing that, Mark. It it very revealing.
I think it is time to form a new party. The only requirements to join this new party is to possess a solid spine and not be batcrap crazy.
Reid is a disgrace.
Sorry, I’ve had it with being nice. Here’s my letter:
Harry,
So you’ve told Dodd and Feingold that they will have to filibuster the FISA bill.
Harry, I’ve been told to be nice when contacting you, because “nasty emails will get us nowhere”. Well, nice emails have gotten us nowhere either, because Democrats in this country have a non-entity as their leader in the Senate. So — Go to hell, Harry! We are going there together either way.
Reid is a useless POS in my opinion. What the hell has he accomplished?
He needs to be replaced NOW.
Chris Dodd for Senate Majority Leader after the next election.