Democratic Caucus Puts Smackdown on David Broder

[Bob Geiger]

Back in the 1980s when I was in college studying journalism, economics and politics, I really admired the political writing of David Broder -- of course, I also thought Madonna looked drop-dead sexy in that wedding-dress get-up, so what the hell did I know?

It's sad to say, but intellectually speaking, Broder's time has clearly come and gone. And you need look no further than his silly, bizarre attack yesterday on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, in which he said that the gutsy Reid is a problem for the Democratic party and described his short tenure as the Senate's leader as an "amateurish performance."

Given that he has been in George W. Bush's face as much as he could have been since assuming the Majority Leader role in January -- which is exactly what the American people voted for in November -- we bloggers have jumped to Reid's defense.

But today, in an amazing show of support, the entire Senate Democratic caucus signed a letter to the editor of Broder's home, the Washington Post, calling them on their columnist's own amateurish performance, saying that "in contrast to Mr. Broder's insinuations, we believe Mr. Reid is an extraordinary leader who has effectively guided the new Democratic majority through these first few months with skill and aplomb."

Here's more from their letter, which they titled "Sen. Reid's Fine Leadership."

"In the first 100 days alone, we made great strides under his leadership on long-neglected legislation concerning stem cell research, the Sept. 11 commission's recommendations and the minimum wage, to name three. In addition, under Mr. Reid's leadership, we have fulfilled our obligation, left uncompleted by last year's Republican-led Senate, to fund the federal government. He has accomplished all of this in the face of stiff opposition and with a commitment to giving ideas full opportunity for debate.

"Finally, in this age of scripted politicians speaking only to their base or claiming that they 'don't recall' anything, the fact that Mr. Reid speaks his mind should be applauded, not derided. His brand of straight talk is honest, comes from the heart and speaks directly to the people."

Harry Reid has done an outstanding job as Majority Leader, just as he did in the previous Congress in holding together the minority under very trying circumstances while having to take a backseat to Bill Frist and the do-nothing GOP crew. It's wonderful that his colleagues are publicly stepping up and openly supporting him against these ridiculous attacks.

But all of that said, this is also the same David Broder who writes today about how John McCain, a man who figures out who he is on a given day when he goes outside and tests the wind direction, is "straight talking again."

Hey, I wonder if Broder thought Madonna was smokin' hot in that dress as well?

You can read more from Bob at BobGeiger.com.

Update: In just the last two hours I have had enough pictures sent to me -- by both men and women -- to make me reconsider my snarky implication about Madonna in the early 80s and to accept that she may indeed have been really hot. But my primary point stands: David Broder is an enormous tool.

[wyldwolf]

1. you're wrong

Madonna DID look drop-dead sexy in that wedding-dress get-up.

[ccpup]

2. what's even stranger

is Madonna -- twenty years later -- STILL looks drop-dead sexy! Now what were we originally discussing? :evilgrin:

[ashling]

3. I'd like to see Broder try to get away with

sporting a pointy bustiere ....

no, wait a minute, what am I saying! ... nevermind

[ccpup]

6. I'd like to see Broder

marched out of the Washington Post building carrying a cardboard box with all the stuff he USED to have on the desk he USED to have in his office ... before they fired him. :evilgrin:

[Rydz777]

4. Not a Madonna fan but a Harry Reid fan

IMHO Madonna is all glitz and phoniness, but Harry Reid is authentic. Unlike a lot of politicians who can't make a straight statement, Reid seems compelled to say exactly what he thinks. I find that refreshing, altho' Broder and the other scribes at the neocon WaPo may not.

[ccpup]

5. Madonna is glitz and phoniness?

you've obviously never met the woman or seen her -- quietly and without Press -- help friends in need suffering from AIDS live in apartments near the hospitals where their Doctors are and not only pay their medical bills, but make their lives as financially comfortable as possible. Or offer to send those friends struggling with alcoholism, drug abuse or eating disorders to the appropriate centers for help so they can, by their choice, be a better person without unnecessary baggage (as she calls it).

Say what you will about the woman (and people will say what they will without knowing any better), if she were "glitz and phoniness" she would have fallen off the map a long time ago. She works harder than most people with her money would have to and STILL finds time to be a Mother Hen to her wide network of friends.

(in other words, try saying No to the woman and she'll keep poking her nose in your business until you relent and do what she wants you to do for yourself ... which is usually the right thing to begin with. It's just easier to agree right off the bat and not have to deal with the "did you do it, did you do it, did you do it, did you do it, did you do it, ... ??????? emails and phone calls)

It's often a bad idea to cast blanket judgments against someone you only know through what the Media -- and we know how honest they are, right? -- says. Best to say "I don't know her, but I don't really find myself impressed by what I do know." More honest to yourself, but still gets your message across.

[KingDaevid]

7. If given the choice---

---I still prefer Linda Blair. ;-) ...

[ccpup]

8. Linda Blair of

Exorcist :puke: fame? :evilgrin:

[Time for change]

9. It's great to see the Dems support Harry like that and smack down Broder

Broder is a worthless media whore IMO.

[rainy]

10. The real test will be if the paper prints the letter! nt