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The Mystery of Harry Reid
Wall Street Journal ^ | December 9, 2009 | James Taranto

Posted on 12/09/2009 3:59:50 AM PST by Tom D.

Some have speculated that Reid is simply "losing it"--but from the years in which we've been observing Reid, we'd say he never had it in the first place. Yesterday's statement on the Senate floor was vintage Reid. He has a propensity for saying things that are splenetic, inappropriate and ignorant, such as his embarrassing series of claims a few years ago that Clarence Thomas was unintelligent.

This, however, raises a question that has long puzzled us about Reid: How did such an unappealing man who says so many foolish things get so far in politics? He has been elected to Congress six times, and the Senate's Democrats chose him as their leader. Maybe he has exceptional backroom skills, or comes across better in person than on television. And of course the polls show he is in trouble with the voters back in Nevada. Still, his success to this point seems something of a miracle--an inspiration to dour, foolish men everywhere.

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
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James Taranto approaches H. L. Mencken in his insight and his ability to articulate that insight in a way that lets you know exactly what he is thinking.
1 posted on 12/09/2009 3:59:51 AM PST by Tom D.
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To: Tom D.
How did such an unappealing man who says so many foolish things get so far in politics?

That really is a mystery. I don't know much about Nevada, but their regular reelection of this creature makes me question the whole state's sanity.

2 posted on 12/09/2009 4:03:21 AM PST by livius
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To: Tom D.

Evil doesn’t need a host to be smart or talented.


3 posted on 12/09/2009 4:04:36 AM PST by two23 (You're paying for that)
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To: Tom D.

Punch-drunk?


4 posted on 12/09/2009 4:05:48 AM PST by monocle
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To: Tom D.

Reid was a Capitol Hill cop and later a Nevada State gambling commissioner.

For reasons beyond my understanding, the citizens of Nevada saw fit to have him represent them in the US Senate.

Where’s Paul Laxalt when you need him?


5 posted on 12/09/2009 4:07:44 AM PST by Senator Goldwater
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To: livius
I would say that Reid is a convenient stalking horse and ablative heat shield for others more intelligent and purposeful, who'd rather not fly their flag openly.

People like Rahm Emanuel, the Klintonx, Durbin the Turban, Barack Obama, DiFi and Babs, and that clutch of inveterately Pink Northeastern senators who like to lay back and let others advance the talking points: Harris Wofford, Charlie Schumer, the late Teddy Kennedy, Chris Dodd, Paul Sarbanes, Barbara Mikulski.

Guys like that.

6 posted on 12/09/2009 4:12:56 AM PST by lentulusgracchus
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To: lentulusgracchus

I agree but with whom did he align himself with lately?

Nazi Nancy Pelosi.

Reid sold himself out a long time and i wouldn’t be surprised to hear one day he sold his soul to the devil.

I think he’s an evil, unprincipled man but what do I know about politics.

Harry, it’s time for another high colonic...............


7 posted on 12/09/2009 4:20:42 AM PST by MissDairyGoodnessVT (Stop Muslims Training on American Soil NOW =^..^=)
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To: lentulusgracchus

I agree but with whom did he align himself with lately?

Nazi Nancy Pelosi.

Reid sold himself out a long time and i wouldn’t be surprised to hear one day he sold his soul to the devil.

I think he’s an evil, unprincipled man but what do I know about politics


8 posted on 12/09/2009 4:22:31 AM PST by MissDairyGoodnessVT (Stop Muslims Training on American Soil NOW =^..^=)
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To: livius

"It's not the people who vote that count. It's the people who count the votes." (Josef Stalin)


9 posted on 12/09/2009 4:23:15 AM PST by MajorThomas (Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.)
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To: Tom D.

The miracle of Harry Reid’s political success is no more surprising than the miracle of Obama’s success.

A man who doesnt know Slime from Shinola elected to the Presidency and allowed, no not allowed, but encouraged by Democrats to turn this into a Socialist country.


10 posted on 12/09/2009 4:24:08 AM PST by Venturer
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To: Tom D.

Sen. Harry Reid: “an inspiration to dour, foolish men everywhere.”

That is a true, clever, and very funny statement.

Semper Fi,


11 posted on 12/09/2009 4:25:15 AM PST by 2nd Bn, 11th Mar (The "P" in democrat stands for patriotism)
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To: Senator Goldwater

Reid must have casino money behind him. Most Nevadans are not on the left.


12 posted on 12/09/2009 4:27:02 AM PST by stephenjohnbanker (Support our troops, and vote out the RINO's!)
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To: Tom D.

Reid, angry ol white man in control.... what do you think sonia? In the dictionary under HYPOCRITE they can’t fit all thier pictures so the wrote “see Congress and the Senate”
Would like to see Reids American History grades in high school, was he the poster boy of government education? This could explain his absence of knowledge on the subject of American History.


13 posted on 12/09/2009 4:28:54 AM PST by ronnie raygun (Leaders who refuse to lead will be lead by the people)
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To: Tom D.
How did such an unappealing man who says so many foolish things get so far in politics?

Because many voters are simply ignorant and uninformed. Many vote for a candidate whose name they recognize despite knowing absolutely nothing about their politics, ideology and voting record.

Hopefully with many more people paying attention, 2010 will be the Waterloo for losers like Reid, Dodd, Frank, Pelosi, Waxman, Waters, Conyers, Rangel, Specter [insert your faorite here]

14 posted on 12/09/2009 4:31:04 AM PST by JrsyJack (a healthy dose of buckshot will probably get you the last word in any argument.)
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To: Tom D.

WHY does such a MANLY Staet like Nevada, keep electing this GIRLY MAN, the Harry Reid??


15 posted on 12/09/2009 4:33:51 AM PST by Ann Archy (Abortion,,,,,,the Human Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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To: lentulusgracchus

Yes, it’s true that he doesn’t operate alone and is but one of many truly ugly people in government. However, there is something particularly odious merely about his whiny, insinuating and insulting tone, and I can’t understand how he can be popular enough in his state to get elected time and again.


16 posted on 12/09/2009 4:34:05 AM PST by livius
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To: MajorThomas

That’s true, there’s probably corruption involved. Another poster suggested casino money backing him, which is also possible, I imagine.


17 posted on 12/09/2009 4:35:42 AM PST by livius
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To: MissDairyGoodnessVT

If he really did sell his soul to the devil then he will win re-election yet again. I am sure ACORN helps.


18 posted on 12/09/2009 4:36:36 AM PST by arthurus ("If you don't believe in shooting abortionists, don't shoot an abortionist." -Ann C.)
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To: MissDairyGoodnessVT
You may be very correct about the unprincipled part; his curriculum vitae and lack of principled force of any kind in any of his statements suggests that sort of man. Like that cardboard cutout who got Obama's vacant Senate seat by appointment.

Prototypes abound, going all the way back to the Federal Period.

Martin Van Buren and Sen. "Dollar Mark" Hanna come to mind, as do various associates of Presidents U.S. Grant, Warren Harding, Lyndon Johnson, and Billy Jeff DIRTXPOTUS.

Barack Obama may make us forget them all. But men like Harry Reid will still abound.

19 posted on 12/09/2009 4:38:57 AM PST by lentulusgracchus
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To: Tom D.

Career politicians the bane of the Republic


20 posted on 12/09/2009 5:04:20 AM PST by uncbob
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