DISQUS

KerrynowCampau · 1 year ago

Make them filibuster, Harry!!! Call them on their bluff.

How GD hard is that!

Make them work for it!!!

whomod · 1 year ago

THANK YOU!

It seems with this bunch in charge, the mere threat or even possibility of a GOP filibuster is enough to make the Reid run with his tail tucked between his legs.

Butch1 · 1 year ago

Amen! Reid: "Joe the Boxer." Not willing to fight the Republicans to win.

lucky hussein · 1 year ago

thank you Nate. Let's hope Reid retires very soon. Dems need spartans, not fools.

tlsintx · 1 year ago

i've always defended Reid but if Nate says no, you can bank on it.
it does seem Reid has played CYA more than anything...

timncguy · 1 year ago

The only good idea Reid came up with so far is the method to keep the senate in session during breaks to stop Bush from making recess appointments. Other than that, he's been a disappointment.

Ben Dover · 1 year ago

Our expectations of Mr. Reid should be tempered by the fact that he is a full fledged member of the Mormon Cult.

Nothing that is good for the nation ever comes from cultists.

pdxprobert · 1 year ago

Harry Reid's a republican who ran as a democrat... theres lots of Dino's out there... the dem gate keepers always say Dem's are like cats, they just cant be herded.. well, the republicans have no problem herding many of the blue dog dems over to their side... we see that all the time... The reason there's no unity in the Dems is because many are Dino's... why is that so hard to understand... theres no difference in how the dem majority congress works than how the big 3 automakers leadership works.. the big 3 CEO's have a one hand washes the other relationship with big oil.. .why else would they continue to make cars that gobble up gasoline like its not a finite source? why is it so hard to not see a one hand washes the other between the dem and republican leadership...

whomod · 1 year ago

Yep. It's time that Democrats stood for something besides being milquetoast pushovers. 2 years as the majority party in Congress and we have very little to show for it. And all the while these chumps act as if the fact that we're short a 60 seat super majority somehow renders us completely powerless against the Republican minority.

So when we were in the Republicans position, just how powerless were the Republicans, eh Harry? Nancy?

Enough with the excuses, give us some leaders who aren't cowards, deal makers and excuse mavens.

Jersey · 1 year ago

I agree with the Mormon thing, and finally someone with some gravitas has said how terrible Ried has been. Maybe the sentiment will catch on.

gwpriester · 1 year ago

Totally agree.

johnbpt · 1 year ago

Can somebody please explain how this ass clown became the leading Dem in the Senate? I mean please, there are probably half a dozen Senate REPUBLICANS who would make a better Democratic Majority Leader.

woodroad34 · 1 year ago

He's a boxer, doncha know.

Antinous · 1 year ago

It's time for him to go,he's spineless, the Republicans have jerked him around like a puppy on a leash. And while they're at it, get rid of Nancy "I've got a smile a mile wide" Pelosi, she is just as ineffective.

woodroad34 · 1 year ago

I saw her on some interview the other day and that face lift is starting to make her look like a deer in the headlights.

sherifffruitfly · 1 year ago

And water is wet.

woodroad34 · 1 year ago

And the pope is catholic, dammit.

JSC · 1 year ago

Reid has proven himself to be incompetent and ineffective. Democrats should be lining up to throw their shoes and give their farewell kiss to the dog.

smkngman3 · 1 year ago

I think that Iraqi reporter has shown US the way to demonstrate our displeasure. I've got a very ripe pair ready to mail! One smelly sneaker to Reid, one to Pelosi!

Rainlion · 1 year ago

"If Reid can't get them to pay a greater public price, then the Democrats ought to find somebody else who can"

The whispered thought that should (and hopefully will soon) become a roaring groundswell that demands action. We know what the GOP plan is going to be... we need someone who can effectively divert and thwart it. Harry ain't that kind a guy.

jurassicpork · 1 year ago

Andrew Jackson would've shot him dead and everyone else in Congress. Personally, I think he would've started with Bush. When I look at all the Bozos in Congress today, the only one who would stand even a cursory comparison to Old Hickory would be Russ Feingold.

burro · 1 year ago

Reid is as big a liability as Lieberman. He flies just far enough under the radar to keep people wondering if he doesn't have something useful up his sleeve but there is never anything. He's sort of got a cloak of invisibility but whenever there's an opportunity for him to step out from behind it, nothing happens.

Reid hasn't used his position to accomplish anything. It's that senatorial privilege b.s. He's in a position and it doesn't matter if he accomplishes anything for the country. We're just supposed to accept his utter ineffectiveness because his turn came up to be leader.

He's no damn good.

okojo · 1 year ago

No Senate Majority leader is going to be like LBJ, if they have 50 votes with one renegade for the majority. Senate Majority leader is a pretty thankless job, and it becomes a glamourized water boy of a position when the same party takes over the White House.

Reid should be replaced if he can't get some health care reformed and a budget passed. No matter who is the majority leader, they have to work with McConnell. Any senator can throw wrenches in the legislative process, but by putting a hold on a nominee or a piece of legislation.

aquarius2 · 1 year ago

Silver hasn't written anything that isn't public knowledge. Most Dems know that Reid is ineffective. So just how do they go about removal, by Senate election or what?

Eric on the Beach · 1 year ago

I am so over both Reid and Pelosi. Both have shown themselves to be worthless. I want both replaced with someone who 1) Won't let the Republicans dictate the debate (last I checked, the Dems have a pretty substantial majority) 2) Won't let the likes of Bayh and other conservative "dems" dictate the debate in our caucus. We are a progressive country, let's start goddamned acting like it!!

SouthernYankee · 1 year ago

Well Nate your a good pollster. But it didn't take to much for the majority of people to see that Reid and Pelosi both should be replaced.

Savage8862 · 1 year ago

I am really over Pelosi and Reid. Both have proven ineffective in rising above the partisan attacks from Bush and his fellow Republicans. They have not been able to push through legislation that will move this country forward because they are unable to overcome the insipid strategies of the Republican party. Pelosi and Reid whine too much. If i were the Republicans, I would prefer to be the permanent opposition party. They seem to be more focused and work together more effectively to block major legislation thus maintaining the stand still in Washington. Why try to regain power when it seems the Republicans in the Senate at least, have all the power against weak Democratic leadership.

onceler · 1 year ago

I don't want Pelosi and Reid to "rise above" partisan fighting - I want them to WIN the damn fights! They don't even try. That's why they both need replacing.

chandler_in_lasvegas · 1 year ago

How come the Democrats can't go Nuclear and change Senate Rule 22? The evil Repubs threatened it time and time again. It should be our first option.

Bush Bites · 1 year ago

Give Harry the Hook.

Bush Bites · 1 year ago

I'm OK with Pelosi, even though I don't think her style does us any favors with the red state rubes.

The House has passed some good things that just got killed when they got to the Senate.

Aaron · 1 year ago

strength through bowing. Reid sucks.
Pelosi blows chunks as well.
Clearly we need term limits for senators. and congress-people. I propose 12 years of each.
We need to amend the constitution cause this countries broke, and reid and pelosi are to polite to fix it.

foxy · 1 year ago

The Emperor has no clothes!

Phalamir · 1 year ago

Let's be honest. Reid is a Mormon. And Mormons are against anything that even hints at liberalism, progressivism, or Constitutionality. He's a member of an anti-American cult and to expect anything from him except treason is to expect a jackel to do anything but harrass and scavenge. And the Democrats are so in love with being the Republican's lapdogs they will never replace him - Reid is Herod sitting back watching Judah be raped by the Romans and basking in glory of being a turncoat. What does he care? To him, the Senate is the Roman Senate, he is a patrician and we are plebeans - or in American terms: he is Massa GOP's mulatto overseer and we're field niggers.

Jay · 1 year ago

Harry Reid has no BALLS! None.

Get this man out and put someone in who can kick butt and take names. Hillary, we need you! Now there's a woman who won't take crap from anyone!

Nora · 1 year ago

Just once, just one time, I would like to see Reid make the Republicans actually FILIBUSTER. If they're going to try to stop legislation, make them actually work for it, instead of going with that wimpy rule that if the Republicans make a fuss, then every single bill in the Senate needs to have 60 votes in order to pass. I am so pissed off at him for letting them get away with this time and time again that I'd like to throw more than a shoe at him.

High Crimes & Misdemeanors · 1 year ago

Well as you all know I cant stand that weak ass punk ried. He has capitulated and bent over for the bush crime family so many times it makes you wonder who's side he's on. I have no love for this fool.

Thnx for the Nate Silvers of the world for finally getting on board!

Now what?

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I don't imagine the culture of the Senate changing in the new Congress so long as it's under Reid's direction, and Reid is highly unlikely to be replaced.

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If nothing is going to change, what in the hell kind of change does Obama expect??? If the man who has completely genuflected to the REPUKES for the last 7 years, what the fuck do you think is gonna change once Obama is in office???? Does anyone have an answer???

parsec · 1 year ago

He was a pretty good Fabian leader when the other side had the upper hand. But his side has the power now and he seems unwilling to press with it.

Stuart Kaufman · 1 year ago

As Winston Churchill said of the Labour leader, Ramsay MacDonald, "I remember when I was a child, being taken to the celebrated Barnum's Circus, which contained an exhibition of freaks and monstrosities, but the exhibit on the program which I most desired to see was the one described as "The Boneless Wonder". My parents judged that the spectacle would be too demoralizing and revolting for my youthful eye and I have waited fifty years, to see The Boneless Wonder sitting on the Treasury Bench."

And now he has been reincarnated as the Senate majority leader.

Zee · 1 year ago

It's so fitting Harry Reid was on hand last week to see Manny Pacquiao beat up Oscar De La Hoya, because the Republitards regularly pound and slap around Reid.

TXfemmom · 1 year ago

Harry Reid has been ineffective, and I can't say Pelosi has, either. Both of them should be replaced and someone tough, smart, and willing to slug it out with both the PUBs and the DEMS should be put into those positions.

GrMtGirl3 · 1 year ago

I am certainly in agreement that the partisan bickering has got to cease to enable us to resolve the many problems the country faces .... but constant bowing to the Repubs is not solving that problem. We do need someone willing to work across the aisle so to speak but one that has the confidenc, respecte and power to state "This is as far as we bend, buy it!" Reid does not possess these qualities. I think replacing Pelosi with a stronger more forceful individual would also be an asset for Obama and the multitude of problems waiting for resolve. We need desperately to demonstrate strength to the people and to make believers out of all the GOP that they are no longer the top dogs.

onceler · 1 year ago

what's so frustrating about this is that the Republicans haven't filibustered, they just state their intention to do so (when you know it would end by about 2 AM the first night on any given issue) and Reid folds like a cheap suit instantly. Reid is as weak as they come.

Wolfsinger · 1 year ago

Nate's right on this. But, so are most in blogging universe who for many months have called on Reid a Pelosi to step down for utter lack of leadership.

Both are now infamous for their "off-the-table" policies leaving BushCo's agenda unchecked and enabled. The days of complete capitulation must end.

I'm sorry but you can't complain about a Christian right Republican constitution hating agenda and then offer no resistance, no accountability, no opposition, NO LEADERSHIP. All that does is make Reid and Pelosi accomplices to BushCo crimes against the country. That goes for ALL Democrats who roll over or turn a blind eye to BushCo crimes.

I and many others said this during the campaign but it is just as applicable today...We Don't Need More Democrats In Washington. We Need Better Ones.

Mighty · 1 year ago

I concur with you. Its very frustrating to see the dems become the thing they ran against. If I am not mistaken didn't they pass again the patriot act? Didn't they continue with Bush's spying policies? What have they done to stand up to Bush?

This is the reason there are so many people that don't vote imo.