Biden Silent on Reid Stepping Down

Red State ^ | Jan 29th, 2006 | Nick Danger

[george76]

Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE) failed today to address rumors that Nevada Senator Harry Reid will step down next month as Senate Minority Leader.

Reid has been stung by revelations that his political action committee (PAC) accepted more than $60,000 in contributions from Indian tribes linked to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Appearing on CNN's Late Edition, Biden avoided discussing either the Reid situation or any upcoming changes in Senate Democratic leadership.

Reid is no stranger to scandal, having been the subject of a 1979 Justice Department probe into allegations that Reid — then Nevada Gaming Commission chairman — had received bribes through mob lawyer Oscar Goodman and Tropicana attorney Jay H. Brown.

The probe officially cleared Reid, but he subsequently received numerous contributions from gambling industry figures, including Brown.

Some Democrats are worried that Reid's continued presence in the Senate leadership undermines Democratic hopes of scoring significant gains this November.

"Reid is going around the country talking about a 'Republican scandal' — about Republicans accepting one- and two-thousand dollar contributions from Jack Abramoff, when his own PAC took in $60,000," ...

Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean, appearing on Fox News Sunday, made no announcements concerning Reid's status, but did comment on the growing controversy.

Moderator Chris Wallace asked Dean, "if we find that there were some Democrats who wrote letters on behalf of some of the Indian tribes that Abramoff represented, then what do you say, sir?"

Without mentioning Reid by name, Dean replied, "That's a big problem. And those Democrats are in trouble. And they should be in trouble."

[Jeff Chandler]

Reid is no stranger to scandal, having been the subject of a 1979 Justice Department probe into allegations that Reid — then Nevada Gaming Commission chairman — had received bribes through mob lawyer Oscar Goodman and Tropicana attorney Jay H. Brown.

Was he found with a dead prostitute?

[nuconvert]

Sounds like they're no longer wild about Harry.

[mainepatsfan]

So who would replace him?

[Gabz]

This appears to be about the only subject hairplugs is silent about...........

[Emmett McCarthy]

Well, only because all the others turned him down.

[george76]

If Reid were to step down, the Republican Governor would replace him with an R.

[HEY4QDEMS]

I guess Howard Dean will now acuse Reid of being a Republican plant.

[SolidSupplySide]

"That's a big problem. And those Democrats are in trouble. And they should be in trouble."

That's a flip-flop for Dean. A couple of weeks ago he claimed that the Abramoff scandal did not touch Democrats. Can't these guys ever get one story and stick to it?

[HEY4QDEMS]

If Reid were to step down, the Republican Governor would replace him with an R.

No, he is only going to step down as minority leader, not relinquish his senate seat.

[Howlin]

How did I miss this? When was this reported?

[Inspectorette]

mob lawyer Oscar Goodman

Is this the same Oscar Goodman who's mayor of Vegas?

BTW - you were great as Cochise in "Broken Arrow" ;-)

[Paleo Conservative]

A live boy?

[jmaroneps37]

Welllllllllllllllllllllllllllll now.
Ole harrie boy folding his hand? But I thought he said he was clean.

[mainepatsfan]

Yeah but I think he might step down as minority leader not resign his seat.

[Jeff Chandler]

Right-over-the-head GodfatherII reference.

[Patriot814]

Durbin or Schumer. Byron Dorgan has expressed interest in the position, but i would expect him to be indicted before Harry Reid.

[blam]

""Reid is going around the country talking about a 'Republican scandal' — about Republicans accepting one- and two-thousand dollar contributions from Jack Abramoff, when his own PAC took in $60,000," ..."

Culture of corruption for sure.

[george76]

We can hope that he gives everything up.