Harry Reid, shopping for reelection insurance (Must read - what a yahoo)

WashPost ^ | 10-27-09 | Dana Milbank

[STARWISE]

What Harry Reid did Monday afternoon gave new meaning to the phrase "public option."

The Senate majority leader, after haggling behind closed doors with members of his Democratic caucus, realized that he couldn't cobble together the 60 votes he needed to pass health-care legislation with a government-run health plan.

So Reid chose another option: He shut down the private talks, booked the Senate TV studio and went public with his own proposal.

"I've concluded," he told the roomful of cameras and reporters, "that the best way to move forward is to include a public option."

For Reid, it was an admission of the formidable power of liberal interest groups. He had been the target of a petition drive and other forms of pressure to bring the public option to the floor, and Monday's move made him an instant hero on the left.

Americans United for Change hailed him for refusing "to buckle in the face of withering pressure from the big insurance companies." MoveOn.org admired his "leadership in standing up to the special interests."

*snip*

Reid looked down at the lectern. He looked up at the ceiling. He chuckled. He put his palms together as if in prayer

*snip*

nstead of answering, Reid, with a Zen expression, looked to the back of the room to solicit a question from somebody else. But Bash piped up again. "Senator Reid, with all due respect, is it possible to answer the question on whether or not you have the votes?"

[STARWISE]

These stinkers .. it's ONLY about politics and appealing to the base.

THROW THEM ALL OUT!

CALL THE THE SENATE

CALL THE THE HOUSE

[DennisR]

Harry Reid - a total embarrassment to the Senate. How did this man ever reach this level of incompetency? Unbelievable.

[Frantzie]

I do not like casino moguls, never been to Vegas etc etc. I do know the casinos are losing their a*s with hope and change.

I would bet a lot of Dems are feeling hope and change in their pocket books and do not like it. The one newspaper in NV hates Hairy Reid. I would bet a lot of Hairy’s dirty laundry is going to come out in 2010. The casino owners and others will make sure of it.

[Savage Beast]

Harry Reid--! I heard that jackass blathering-on on the radio today.

If the people of Nevada don't throw this *&!@#*&%%!! out of office pronto, they will deserve exactly what they're going to get.

[Carry_Okie]

Did somebody say, "Harry Reid's dirty laundry"?

I hope it hampers his chances.

[guitarplayer1953]

actually Reid has been for the public option all the time. But he figured there has to be a martyr somewhere in this bill and he's the one. It's the old pony and dog show. with the real question of who's screwing who here.

[fatnotlazy]

Reid, like most politicians, serve not at the behest of their constituency, but rather, beholden to certain interest groups. In his case, he is beholden to MoveOn.org and other Soros-based groups. He knows he doesn’t have the votes for the public option, but with those groups breathing down his neck, he’s dancing as fast as he can to bring us this so-called “health care.” This is despite the polls which show that a large percentage of the populace is not in favor of this “health care.” It’s not about the voters. It’s about pandering to powerful individuals and groups who own you.

I’m hopeful that those poll numbers are right, and Mr. Reid has to go out and get a real job next year.

[Huskrrrr]

[Semperfiwife]

Steve Wynn for Senate.

[STARWISE]

How did this man incompetent ever reach this level of incompetency power?

There, fixed it... ;)

[STARWISE]

;)

[The Comedian]

[STARWISE]

I wish he would.

[dearolddad]

Harry Reid - a total embarrassment to the Senate. How did this man ever reach this level of incompetency? Unbelievable.

It's called the Peter Principal (As in he's a di*k)

[dalebert]

ya ...call them all

[DennisR]

Thanks! :)

[STARWISE]

;)