The only reason he said that, is because it makes the whole thing sound more credible, more likely then not, the questions weren't "jiggered", and other republican canidates probably came off badly. Reid is a good politician and knows how to make anything he says sounds credible, while lying through his teeth.
Side note, Dashle has been getting concered about Reid, if 2004 goes badly, Reid will probably either coup Dashle (if Tommy midget somhow wins his own state) or simply take over if Dahsle loses to Thune.