Reid to Bush: I'm an obstructionist? Suck it!

[Teaser]

Sooner or later, a lot of DUers are going to have to admit that they were wrong about Reid. He may be more conservative than most of us, but he is a fighter.

Democratic sources said Bush told Reid at the dinner that he knew nothing about the RNC mailing and distribution of the material.

White House press secretary Scott McClellan called the dinner a "good visit," but he refused to say whether Bush would call on the RNC to back off.

"The president's focus is on reaching out to all members who want to work together to advance our shared priorities," McClellan said.

"The president wants to work closely -- that includes working closely with Senator Reid."

Reid, however, was unpersuaded, saying that it was his understanding that the RNC is "controlled by George Bush."

"I want the boys at the White House, the girls at the White House, the men and women at the White House, everyone to understand, I haven't lost one wink of sleep over the attack yesterday," Reid said.

"They're not going to frighten me. You know, they call me an obstructionist -- they're destructionists."

link

formatting thanks to DKos

[Gyre]

1. I want him to call the chimp

a fucking shrub that he's gonna piss on!

Gyre

[FreedomAngel82]

3. Now that would be hilarious

Gotta love Reid. :loveya:

[Sperk]

2. "They're destructionists." HA!...good one.

I must admit...I "misunderestimated" Senator Reid.

[elsiesummers]

25. That is a good one.

I underestimated him too.

I don't mind Reid's age - he seems sort of avuncular and homespun - sort of makes it easier for him to bite and not just bark.

I really liked Daschle too though I know many here didn't - I think he was more of a fighter than he was give credit for - the Republicans were very hard on Daschle and I think he did very well by Dems considering they were in the minority.

[Atman]

4. I wish we had Reid's fire in a younger package

We need the youth vote. The repubs are lying through their teeth to this very important demographic, and they generally buy into it because (sorry, youngun's reading this) they simply aren't as politically savvy, nor as jaded and cynical as those of us who've lived through more presidential shenanigans.

Reid, I admit, is turning out to be a better fighter than I thought he'd be. But he's still an old man in the eyes of the youth culture who are quite frankly, just as likely to be swayed by W's cute daughters than any real issue.

[IronLionZion]

22. youth is the only segment Kerry won n/t

[zann725]

31. In WHAT vote count? Kerry won many 'segments'...PERIOD.

n/t

[lateo]

35. He didn't win though...

So that kind of throws some cold water on Kerry...he was a universally shitty candidate.

Period.

[WildEyedLiberal]

41. It must be nice to think in such black and white terms

:eyes:

[lateo]

42. It isn't black and white...

It is just cold, hard reality. Kerry sucked as a candidate and to top it all off he just fucking GAVE UP at the end.

Now he wants to run again in 2008?

[bunkerbuster1]

44. Even if you think Kerry sucked elephant's privates...

We should elevate our warriors and empower them even when they fall short of an objective. As much as I'm enjoying Reid's feistiness, dammit, I think Kerry should've been seriously considered for the Senate minority leadership, if only so that he could've graciously turned it down. We need to be an opposition party that gets BEHIND its public leaders, not tearing the crap out of them.

I didn't like everything he did on the campaign trail; obviously the monday morning QB in me wishes he'd torn off the Shit-Floaters' heads and crapped down their neck the day that advance copies of "Unfit for Duty" were being quoted, instead of meekly calling for Chimpy to disavow those evil ratfuckers.

Kerry stumbled in August but ran a decent campaign, he stayed strong and steady all the way to the end. I wish he'd been a little more aggressive when Chimpy gave him openings in the debates, and had been a little less worried about appearing "Presidential" when our Preznit had rendered the term meaningless... but that's very, very easy for an anonymous online schmuck like me to say.

You get out there, win a school board and/or city council race or two and THEN tell us about how Kerry sucked as a candidate, 'k bro?

[lateo]

45. Been there done that..."bro"

I've served in the Army and on my local township board and after those experiences I would prefer the Army. I agree that we need to get behind our public leaders but when our public leaders fall down on the job and just QUIT without a fight we also need to DUMP them.

[bunkerbuster1]

46. When did Kerry quit without a fight, in your eyes?

[lateo]

47. The day after he "lost"...

He just threw in the towel and basically disappeared from the fight.

[bunkerbuster1]

48. I think it's more like he pulled a Nixon.

Nixon "conceded" in 1960 but he and his lawyers weighed their options for challenging the results.

I should preface what I'm going to say by mentioning that I, too, was shocked when he made his public statement as quickly as he did. I thought he'd at least let Chimpy sweat awhile.

I know a lot of folks here at DU consider his early official "we don't have the votes in Ohio" acknowledgement to have been something akin to treason, but I don't. I think he would have needed lead-pipe-cinch evidence of both sufficient disenfranchisement (there WAS disenfranchisement, and it was despicable, but it doesn't appear to have been sufficient to have made up the vote deficit had those precincts been able to process all the voters) and BBV tampering.

He didn't have it. He knew full well what would have happened had he gone forward and fought on that front; not only would he have lost, but it could've KILLED our chances to effect legislative change in 2005.

As it is, the SS piratization is crashing and burning. Chimpy's poll numbers are shit. I get very frustrated with the Dems and voice my distrust of their leadership all the time, but bottom line, I can understand why Kerry did what he did and respect that it was his decision to make.

I realize you, like very many patriotic DUers feel otherwise; but I just wanted to get that off my chest since (believe it or not) I haven't done so in here, yet.

[IronLionZion]

37. read this link

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/US/P/00/epolls.0.html
scroll down to vote by age

[liberalmuse]

5. I love Reid!

And had the privilege of voting for him in '98. Probably one of the best votes I've ever cast. He is more conservative than I would like him to be, but the guy's the real deal. I have much respect for the man.

[liberalpragmatist]

12. Good vote - he nearly lost that year, right?

I remember reading a couple years ago that he came within a couple hundred votes of losing to John Ensign, now the other Nevada senator.

I'm glad we kept him. I'm really impressed with him. Good thing too he won reelection easily last year. Do you think he'll be safe from now on? I hope he isn't Daschle'd, although Nevada's a lot less conservative than South Dakota.

[housewolf]

6. I grow more & more impressed with him each week...

I had an open opinion about him from the beginning but it's turned into a quite favorable opinion. He's organized, supportive of his senators, clear on his objective and - most of all - fearless.

I like him a lot! More power to him.

[cascadiance]

7. Bush is a "rejectionist" that wants "capitulationists" around him...

One can't win playing his defined roles. Reid should be proud to be an "obstructionist"! I'm beginning to grow to like him more and more. Hope that Nevadans feel the same way later. I was wanting someone from a state that could feel more freedom to "be himself" and not be afraid to stand up at times like Daschle had to be in South Dakota or get outed like he did.

[peacetalksforall]

8. I was always looking for Dems to tell the Republicans to back off

on the Clintons, but few did, including Reid - but I greatly admire his fight against dumping nuclear waste in Nevada (though I don't know where it stands today).

[w13rd0]

9. He's growing on me...

...I like his fight.

[autorank]

10. Dude rocks: " they call me an obstructionist -- they're destructionists

"I haven't lost one wink of sleep over the attack yesterday," Reid said.

"They're not going to frighten me..."

He's thrown down the gauntlet and * didn't even notice. How easy it would be, what a coup it would be for * to withdraw the report and look "Presidential" rather than "pResidential?"

These are great, in your face remarks. Nevada is one tough state and this guy is heading to the top of his form.

Wait until they mess with Durbin.

LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE...GIVE EM HELL HARRY!

[moggie12]

11. "destructionist" -- that is excellent -- it's the kind of on-liner we need

Give 'em hell, Harry - we're behind you!! (Sent him a letter today telling him he's great...)

[Vidar]

13. Not a bad quote. I'm pleased.

[BlueInRed]

14. Isn't that a great quote!

I haven't lost one wink of sleep. Yeah, Harry, you tell 'em!

[SoCalifer]

15. Way To Go Reid

Way To Go Reid

A Big Salute out to Sen Reid.. :)


The way I see it. A Badge Of Obstructionism to schemes hatched out of the Bush's regime, is a Badge Of Honor to wear.

[sendero]

16. Excellent..

... there is going to be a time when the term "obstructionist" is considered a mark of integrity and honor.

Obstructing evil is never wrong.

[Gloria]

17. "Destructionists"---Yup, that's a GREAT word!!

Dems have to start impugning the bullshit Bushco puts out....taking them down a peg and dropping this "reverence" about the office. No reverence because Bushco has no reverence for the office or the country.

[dave29]

18. Reid was instrumental in getting Jeffords

to switch parties... he's a smart, salty fellow, and I think he'll be a good combo with Dean, Boxer and Pelosi.

Four voices unafraid to call it as it is, and shake things up.

[Hippo_Tron]

27. You forgot Durbin

Reid's got one hell of a fighter as his Whip.

[More Than A Feeling]

19. If I could ask Harry Reid one question, it would be this:

Senator Reid, why do you kick so much ass?

Seriously, I am starting to understand the near hero worship that some people on this board have for Clark, or Dean, and so on.

I was indeed skeptical of Reid (I wanted Durbin, because Illinois rocks), but he has shown me nothing but good things.

I love his backstory too, and I can't wait for him to be the senate majority leader.

Sign me

A proud Harry Reid supporter
who can't wait for the senator to just start breaking things

[cry baby]

20. I didn't really like his speech after the SOTU, but I really like him...

I hope he is stubborn like a :kick:

[elsiesummers]

26. I think I'm the only person who liked his speech.

I thought he came across very mild mannered and avuncular. He reminded me a bit of Jimmy Carter.

Now this is not the firey sort of rhetoric that I love from John Edwards or Biden or Dean - but Reid's style had a sort of reassuring calm - very trustworthy in feel - like someone who all sorts of Americans would trust and not think of as a slick politician.

Reid's style has its merits and I'm beggining to understand why he has gone as far as he has.

[cry baby]

28. I saw other DU posters that liked it, too. Maybe I was just in a bad

mood after seeing the SOTU and having to listen to *.

[elsiesummers]

29. * can put anyone in a negative frame of mind.

Pelosi dissappointed me but Reid didn't. She was nervous and Reid wasn't.

I didn't see many positive posts here about Reid's rebuttal, but he seems like the sort who grows on people.

[Lugnut]

21. I don't expect to agree with every senator 100%

And I don't agree with Reid 100% either. I am so encouraged by what I'm hearing from Sen. Reid. I hope his fellow Dems step up with him.

[googly]

23. I am betting repugs will target Reid like they did Daschle....

just watch the propaganda machine go into overdrive in Nevada.

[Teaser]

38. Nevada ain't SD.

Nevada is almost blue. It is definitely trending blue.
It is also the far west and values independence more than Daschle's home state does. Reid will stand up under the assault just fine.

[googly]

39. I don't think they will succeed in NV, but they surely will TRY n/t

[Dr Fate]

24. Sweet- thats good stuff!

n/t

[zann725]

30. "...Prez. wants to work closely" TRANSLATED: He gave them ultimatums.

And let me guess, Shrub's discussion with Dayton resulted in Dayton's statement today that he would NOT be running again. That, by the way, was a real surprise...since Dayton has been VERY passionate, and committed to change in his last few speeches in the Senate. His sudden "resignation" is strange indeed.

But knowing now that the Prez. sat down with those he wanted to "work closely with"...it's all very clear.

This is soooo NOT Democratic. And getting worse every minute.

[DistressedAmerican]

32. Totally disagree! Defends himself! What about us?

He gets mad when HE is attacked. That might cost him some votes in the future. Where was he on issues that matter like the Rice and Gonzalez confirmations. I "fighter" would fight for something other than just HIS reputation. That and he's a pro-lifer.

NO, I just do not get why you all suddenly want to turn all hero worship on this spineless, self serving, politician I'll never know. Let him actually DO something that has public impact not just defend his besmirched reputation.

I am sick of dems that do not take a stand unless it is politically convenient. Talk to me once he has led the fight to block something the Repugs are doing! Sorry, I think that you are grasping at straws, a reflection of how bad off the party is right now!

Remember it is the short memory of the voters that allows these guys to do nothing for us and keep getting reelected. Watch his record not his press statements! Results are what matters not speeches! That is the biggest problem with this party right now, dems that think words equal action. They do not.

Am I the only one planning to vote against the appeaser wing of the party next time around?
DA

[Skittles]

33. I was reserving judgement, Teaser

I have to say I'm getting impressed, indeed I am.

[CWebster]

34. I like his feistiness

A real scrapper.

[greymattermom]

36. these sound bites are key

I think we should start saying "senior security" instead of "social security".

[Zhade]

40. What about Reid's feelings on Scalia for CJ?

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/12/05/judges.reid.frist/

But the Nevada Democrat said that he could support Thomas' fellow conservative, Justice Antonin Scalia, if he were nominated.

"I cannot dispute the fact, as I have said, that this is one smart guy," Reid said of Scalia. "And I disagree with many of the results that he arrives at, but his reasons for arriving at those results are very hard to dispute."

Citing a hunting trip Scalia took with Dick Cheney before hearing a case involving the commission the vice president set up to work on an energy bill, Reid said the justice has some ethics problems.

"So we have to get over this," he said.

How could he support a guy who helped place b**sh into office illegally, who claims (his version of) God is the source of all law in this country, and who has no problem with innocent people being executed for crimes they did not commit as long as the process was followed correctly?

If anyone can offer something to put my mind at ease on this issue, I would be in your debt.

[Jack Rabbit]

43. We want Reid to obstruct Bush's Social Security deform package

If he does that, he will deserve a medal.