Harry Reid is a REAL LIFE Shit Kicker...Let's get ready to RUMBLE

[autorank]

The news has been so bad for so long, we're starting to believe the very sources that are there to make us disbelieve in our leaders and our future as a party.

Enough of this cry-baby crap. Here is some information about Reid that you may find highly encouraging. The guy kicks ass. He just does it from a controlled exsterior, which is fine in our times. Makes us look justifiably irate. Reid set the mark up, now it's time for the take down.

Just look at this and add to it.
--------------------------------------------------
Harry Reid Is Not Boring
Has Scorsese fictionalized your U.S. senator?
By Chris Suellentrop
Posted Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2004, at 5:51 PM PT
http://slate.msn.com/id/2111392/

Like flies to wanton boys are politicians to the press. We kill them for our sport. But rarely has a public figure been subject to a campaign of character assassination as unfair as the one that's targeted Harry Reid

<snip>

… his career is far more interesting than that of the average senator. In politics, Nevada is the next best thing to Louisiana. To take just one example, is there another U.S. senator who has been part of the inspiration for a character in a Martin Scorsese film? …In Casino, Robert DeNiro's character melts down in front of the Nevada Gaming Commission after the commission denies him a license to operate a casino.

<snip>

Sure, Reid can sap these stories of some of some of their innate interest. "Well, it's true that when I served with the Gaming Commission that I had a number of threats on my life," he told me during a brief interview earlier this week. When talking about taping the windows in his house to protect his family from the threat of shattered glass, he used the same tone that he used to discuss the importance of Senate procedure. But no matter what tone you use to discuss the fact that your wife once discovered a bomb wired to one of the family cars, it's not boring.
Besides, on other occasions, Reid can, despite his reputation, give good quote. He has called the move to put a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain the "Screw Nevada Law." On meeting his wife… "The first time I saw her, she was washing her parents' car. She was wearing short shorts."

<snip>

A man named Jack Gordon, who later married LaToya Jackson, tried to give Reid a $12,000 bribe. Reid let the FBI videotape Gordon offering him the bribe, and then, according to a Las Vegas Review-Journal account, he "put his hands around Gordon's neck and said, 'You son of a bitch, you tried to bribe me.'" That's right, Senate Democrats are being led by a man who once tried to strangle LaToya Jackson's future husband-manager. You call that boring?

<snip>

He is the son of an alcoholic gold miner who killed himself. His mother did laundry for, in Reid's words, "houses of ill repute." He once disguised himself as a homeless man and spent the night at a mission in Las Vegas. …He once filibustered the Republicans for nine hours, by himself, by reading from the history book he wrote about his hometown of Searchlight, Nev. …Reid told Joe Klein that he got into a fistfight with his future father-in-law before he eloped with his wife..
---------------------------------

Like I said, LETS GET READY TO RUMMMMMMMMMMBLE!!!

[WI_DEM]

1. I'm getting to warm up to Reid

along with Dean we may be ok. Now Pelosi, I'm still not sure about.

[autorank]

3. She has a great deal of dignity and class. On the other hand,

she is the daughter of one tough Maryland Democrat, Thomas L. J. D'Alesandro, Jr. This guy was very tough so maybe she'll come around and lay the smack down on Tommy Boy.

[FreedomAngel82]

34. When I heard about Reid and Nevada

and him and the mafia is when I was really impressed. A few threats from republicans like they did with Kerry won't mean a thing with him since he's been threatned with bombs and everything. Truly amazing. I remember seeing him on "Meet the Press" in early December and was impressed. He didn't let Tim give him any b.s. He was a straight shooter. I think with him and Dean things will be good to go. I think with Mrs. Pelosi she might have some fear in her (I know I would) so maybe with Mr. Reid she's ready to fight. I know I am. Her, Reid and Dean will surely lead the party and I'm excited. Oh and I also like how Mr. Reid literally fought for his wife. :) That's like one of those old western movies. :D I also think with him around Bush will have a hard time with his SS plans. Reid seems VERY against that. He had a very heartwarming story on SS when he was on the Press. Just go to MSNBC's site and in their search engine look for his interview from December 7th, 2004.

[NVMojo]

44. ...this is also a man who adores his wife and loves his family ....

fiercely ...

[Just Me]

78. That kind of love will force the fighter to the surface.

I know.

I found my "lion" when my son was threatened.

Now, I am a lion.

[Andromeda]

81. Love it....

and the Lion can also be a Pussycat. :)

[aquart]

46. The Republicans make the Mafia look like

little boys in a playground.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

53. I had some hopes for Pelosi

She seemed like a strong, outspoken Democrat that we needed. A bulldog, if you will. She hasn't lived up to my expectations at all.

[Hekate]

68. Don't worry about Pelosi; she's a lot bigger than she looks

Los Angeles Times did a piece on her in their Sunday magazine a couple of years ago. Nancy Pelosi comes from a political family; she learned the family business from the ground up, street by street and precinct by precinct -- methods that are one of the keys to the Democrats taking back this country, which is to say grassroots on the ground combined with the new Internet grassroots first cultivated by Joe Trippi.

Before that article I barely knew her by name, because her district is about 350 miles north of mine. After that...

Every single time I've caught her on C-SPAN I have been impressed. In press conferences she is in command of the facts, rebuts the Republicans without hesitation, and is quick to correct any mistaken ideas the news media may have about her qualifications as a party leader and congresswoman.

"Wish they all could be California girls." Go, Nancy P!

Hekate

[maxudargo]

2. Ok, so

why didn't he tell some of those stories the other night in his response instead of the thing about the kid who wanted to grow up to be like him?

[autorank]

4. Oh, do I have good news for you.

This is the set up. I'm concluding there are few if any ex pitchmen or long con artists on DU. The set up is just that, you lay down a really good impression of what you want the mark to think of you. Harry Reid wants * or any other opponent to think he's a milquetoast, a mild guy, someone who is ineffective when riled. This was the set up for the whole nation, nice Harry with elegant Nancy, oh so reasonable. Now you watch, it's all scripted to sell. Reid will be outraged and the proverbial shit will hit the fan on and on.

[stevedeshazer]

13. So it was rope-a-dope?

I like Harry, but that was pathetic.

If he kicks ass, I'll get on board, but seriously, what makes you think it's going to be any different going forward?

[autorank]

14. Look at the article. He has a M.O. He's done it in the past.

He started in NV politics when the mob was trying to take over everything and he was part of the 'clean government' resistance. They're gone now. It's a set up, as in a rhetorical situation or a staged process to set someone up and then take them down. He needed to be laid back for this to work. It's more subtle than rope-a-dope (I'm a big Ali fan). He won't take pounding as long as Ali took it and end with a flourish. He's fighting back already after the RNC smear. Rope-a-dope is over. Now it's a combination of justification for his ire and parliamentary obstruction.

[stevedeshazer]

16. I hope you're right

I'll be watching Harry wirh great interest, there is a lot at stake.

[FreedomAngel82]

35. You also have to remember

That the republicans hold the house so they have to pick their battles carefully. It'll be interesting to see how he does in the next four years.

[0007]

51. Watch him on the senate floor and you'll understand!

[calimary]

38. I sure hope so. We need somebody who is NOT mild-mannered.

We need someone who'll fight fire with fire. With a flame-thrower, preferably. I'm tired of seeing my team go out to fight in the gunfight, while armed with paper towel tubes. ENOUGH already.

That said, I heard him utter the phrase "Retirement Roulette" about bush's Social Security "fix" and I must say that's a good one! Short, sweet, colorful, paints a great mental picture, easy-to-understand, and eminently quotable. The kind of verbal firepower we need DESPERATELY.

[Us vs Them]

5. I've liked Reid since the first time I saw him on the Senate floor.

And I tend to be a good judge of character. To me, he seemed warm and friendly, with a cautious legislative style that could calmly serve as the facade masking some of the rather feisty initiatives we all know he's hiding. Good one to serve as leader, in my book.

[FreedomAngel82]

37. I think so

He reminds me of a grandfather figure. :) Someone who you wouldn't mind staying with for the summer and if you're in trouble he'll bail you out.
I think he's exciting. Plus he talks in a calm and clear voice and message. I think he just needs to have more tone to him though.

[NVMojo]

6. If I remember correctly, he actually boxed at one time, maybe in H.S.

He is a force to be reckoned with. He has survived in a state "in bed with every vice known to man" and has still managed to be a Mormon and represent gambling interests. He has managed to be a liberal in a state that is home to some of the biggest gold mining corporations in the world who mine on public lands and has protected that industry but still appeased environmentalists on many accounts.

I watched him be publicly attacked in our county several years ago when I was a reporter and held himselves up with dignity and grace while the right wing anti-fedders were calling him "Sierra Harry". He has been through much.

And he's coming out punching gracefully, which is just what we needed. And he should not be taken for granted or underestimated.

Here's a recent story that ran on him in the Washington Post about the presidential election and appeasing the mining interests who were rabid against Kerry:

Balancing Nevada, National Interests
Reid Protects Gaming and Mining Industries While Advancing Democratic Agenda

Tuesday, February 1, 2005; Page A15


Last August, Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kerry pledged to boost funding for the national park system by $600 million a year by raising fees on mining companies. The National Mining Association immediately denounced the proposal, saying it would cost Nevada, a key battleground state, 44,000 jobs.

But that was before Sen. Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) went to work. Two months later, Kerry pledged to steer clear of any program that would threaten mining jobs: "Let me just say clearly to Nevada while I'm here: that is wrong. . . . As president I'm going to work with Harry Reid and with your miners to keep mining jobs, to keep people working."

The episode shows a side to Reid, the new Senate Democratic leader, that is not that well known outside Nevada. Like former Democratic leader Thomas A. Daschle (S.D.), Reid at times has had to balance his party's national political agenda against his state's more parochial economic interests.

Mining and the gaming industry are of paramount importance to Nevada, and Reid has repeatedly fended off legislative and regulatory threats to those two mega interests. At the same time, those industries have provided Reid with crucial political and financial support.

Reid has championed the mining industry's access to public lands and opposed environmental restrictions, while battling Internet gambling that cuts into Nevada's gaming revenue.

In the last election cycle, three of his top 10 sources of cash were casinos and their employees: $568,500 from Mandalay Resort Group, MGM Mirage and Park Place Entertainment. Two mining companies, Barrick Goldstrike Mines Inc. and Newmont Mining Corp., gave $191,300.

Reid's advice to Kerry to mend his relations with the mining barons was based on long experience with the western politics of Nevada. After losing a Senate bid in 1974, Reid ruefully concluded, "Nevada isn't as liberal as we thought."

more ...try either of these two links...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A52469-2005Jan31?language=printer

and

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52469-2005Jan31.html

[NVMojo]

8. here's a link to the story about his long filibuster ...that was great!!

Wednesday, November 12, 2003

No call of nature interrupts filibuster

Nevada senator says he feels good after speaking for nearly nine hours

STEPHENS WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON -- The legendary Louisiana Sen. Huey Long reportedly would attach a rubber tube to a leg inside his pants before launching into filibusters during the 1930s.

But even after speaking continuously for almost nine hours Monday on the Senate floor, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he felt no need to yield to nature's call.

"I easily could have gone on into (Tuesday) morning," Reid said. "I didn't go to the bathroom until I got home."

Reid, who will turn 64 next month, ended his filibuster shortly before 10 p.m., after Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., appeared and said no votes would take place for the rest of the day.

The filibuster followed skirmishes between party leaders on Senate scheduling. Reid said he wanted to show the Republicans need cooperation from Democrats for the Senate to get anything done.

"My goal was to prevent any votes (Monday)," Reid said. "The Republicans said (Democrats) can't stop us. Well, they weren't going to have any votes on Monday, I can tell you that."

Reid said he decided to filibuster after Republican leaders announced plans to talk continuously for 30 hours later this week about Democrats blocking votes on four of President Bush's federal judge nominees.

more...

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Nov-12-Wed-2003/news/22568443.html

[autorank]

15. NVMojo, I was hoping you'd comment. Thanks. Great stuff!

[NVMojo]

18. autorank, thanks for starting this, we need educate folks so they can

come out fighting for Reid ...and behind Reid ...

He's got a trick or two up his sleeves ...

[autorank]

20. NVMojo, thanks for all the elaboration. We MUST SUPPORT REID.

I'm disheartened by the occasional whining around here re: Reid. So what if he has a principled stand on abortion. He stated that he would support the party now that he was leader, which says a lot. I hope that the heavy hitters in NV behind Reid are starting to see that * is real bad for business. BTW who is that in your avatar?

[NVMojo]

22. autorank, the avatar is ...Ani difranco

check her stuff out, I have several of her cd's ...rebellion music, chick style ...

http://www.righteousbabe.com/

who is your avatar? I know that face but can't place it.

I do know that he is somewhat tight with US Senator John Ensign who he narrowly defeated two terms ago. Their race ended up with Ensign paying for a recount yet they became friends and close liaisons. Ensign is a Republican yet his family has contributed to keep Harry where he is. Ensign is the one who just came out against Bush's grab for the money made on public land sales, Ensign talked about keeping the "greedy" hands off Nevada's money, and that would be the President. Interesting politics ...plus those very powerful gold mines like Harry Reid ...

We had a local county dem dinner for him in 2003 and there were more Republicans at the dinner than Dems and they donated the most money. One mining executive kept bidding against Reid for a cake. Reid really wanted the cake but the exec thought he was bidding to make the price go up for campaign funds so he kept bidding against him. I wish I could remember how much that darn cake finally went for, Reid let the mine win but he really needed a cake to go to his next event in Reno ..it was funny.

I know I've posted this story before but that night, I donated a new copy of "Bush's Brain" to be auctioned, hardly a person in the room knew the book or who Karl Rove was at the time. When the emcee said, oh, "we have the book "Bush's Brain" up for auction, that must be a small paperback!!" Reid spoke into the mike that everyone should read the book, he read it and everything in it is absolutely true.

That's when I knew where he stood ...against the neocons and their smear tactics and dishonesty ...

[Stand and Fight]

54. Harvey Keitel... n/t

[blondeatlast]

88. It isn't easy to be a Democratic Mormon, either.

I know of a family who is, and the peer pressure from the tabernacle is enormous and relentless. Even the tabernacle leaders put pressure on the family.

The stories I've heard from them make it clear that they, and Reid, have to be incredibly tough.

Reid is gonna surprise a whole lot of us, I think.

He won't surprise me, though, I know he's capable of beating the Republicans above the belt.

[Goldeneye]

7. Wow, I'm glad I saw this.

Especially this part

"A man named Jack Gordon, who later married LaToya Jackson, tried to give Reid a $12,000 bribe. Reid let the FBI videotape Gordon offering him the bribe, and then, according to a Las Vegas Review-Journal account, he "put his hands around Gordon's neck and said, 'You son of a bitch, you tried to bribe me.'" That's right, Senate Democrats are being led by a man who once tried to strangle LaToya Jackson's future husband-manager. You call that boring?"

God, he's awesome...except for the abortion votes, which...yeah...I don't know what to make of those.

[FreedomAngel82]

40. Only thing I can think of with the abortion

is his religious beliefs. He should of course have them and as long as it's not to overturn Roe V. Wade then I'm fine with it.

[ClarkUSA]

9. Excellent news. Nice to have a Senate leader with True Grit finally

Good article.

[moggie12]

10. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing

Beneath that cardigan lies a real fighter. He is doing a great job so far, in my opinion: Drawing a line in the sand on SS for one thing, and doing what he can to stand up to Bush.

I wonder what would have happened if he'd been Minority leader in '01, when Bush rammed his tax cuts through. Would he have been able to better fight Bush??

[NVMojo]

11. What Reid said after watching Farenheit 9-11..

snip...

Walking out of an 11:30 a.m. showing at the Henderson Regal Sunset Station last weekend, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he was thinking he should have more diligently questioned the administration's war policy.

"I was convinced that we would win the war rapidly -- that's what I was told -- that we would be driving up the avenues as victors with them throwing bouquets of flowers at our troops," he said. "But they've been throwing bombs."

The American people, the press and himself are complicit, he said.

Iraq needs the protection of United Nations members and not solely U.S. forces, Reid said, adding he thought the film's message would resonate with Nevadans of any political party.

He had breakfast with three Republicans on Wednesday, who asked him about the film. He declined to name the GOP members.

"They asked me questions about things that had gone on" in the film, Reid said. "They were really troubled by what they saw in that movie."

snip....

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Jul-04-Sun-2004/news/24228939.html

[whistle]

12. Good, we need scrappers who won't hold anything back

[autorank]

19. When this guy lets loose, it will be something to see.

NVMojo's article on the filibuster is typical. The guy is in shape and ready to fight to make a point. Kidnapping and killing cats, i.e. Sen. Frist, is one thing. Facing down mob guys who will blow up your car is an entirely different level of political hard ball. I also like the comment on F911. Shows he has an open mind and can be humble about misconceptions. I think Reid is like Clark, a genuine person who fights for causes he believes in. Social Security will be his defining moment(s).

[whistle]

25. I'll be waiting and watching closely, but I won't wait for too long

[autorank]

29. It's already started. Consider this trend line.

Ohio Electors -- Boxer challenges and Reid and others debate w/her. No cowering, he spoke well.

Rice Nomination -- 13 challenge (highest ever opposition for Scty of State since Henry Clay). Reid doesn't vote with them but encourages this behind the scenes.

Gonzales Nomination -- now we're up to 35/36 with Reid leading the charge.

Social Security -- Reid announces party unity opposing * and speaks to the nation, kind, gentle Harry persona.

RNC Attack on Reid (watch Reid on C-Span)-- New persona, he's pissed.

This is all since 1/6/05 (the day in infamy). I'm happy with this since Daschle never stood up to * very often and when he did he was not effective, not even a little.

We're five weeks into the Reid leadership role and he's already out of the gate, behind the scenes at first, and now out front.

It's a process not a product. Watch it unfold to our benefit.

[LittleClarkie]

17. I'm sitting here grinning

I like him. I like him alot. Who cares if he agrees with all of our politics or how often. This is an ass kicking honest man. Give em, hell, Harry!

What a little Tasmanian Devil in sheep's clothing. Mwahahaha.

[saracat]

67. I care about anti abortion. If he doesn't take action,

I can respect his beleiefs, but he has voted anti choice.

[Pushed To The Left]

21. I like this guy!

I liked his response to the SOTU. The biggest knock against him is his abortion stance, but he is also a very strong opponent of right-wing judicial nominees. Blocking right-wing nominees is probably the best thing for abortion rights.

[NVMojo]

23. the Western Shoshone are not happy with him in Nevada over the claims

bill he got bush to sign last summer. Long story and the person who lobbied him to push it through did not legally represent the Western Shoshone nation nor was the amount, .15 an acre an amount that any Western Shoshone ever agreed to settle for the theft/encroachment of their treaty lands in Nevada ...but I try to tell them they need to take up their case with him in a different way for Reid kicking the neocons down was a much bigger fight we all need to win ...the things we don't agree on with Reid are secondary and may have to be resolved later. The bigger picture is too important right now.

[blondeatlast]

89. The Republicans won't risk any anti-abortion legislation; it would

expose their hands. They need the issue out there, they won't actually do anything to stop it.

SCOTUS is where the "choice" action is. That's where we need our people. Pro-choicers like me don't need to fear Reid, we need to support him because he has the power to influence who's even nominated.

I've watched the guy for a while. He's the best thing to happen to the Dems in some time.

[Cha]

24. I always liked what I

saw of Reid. Maybe too soon to tell but he could be the silver lining to Daschle losing in South Dakata.

[autorank]

26. Durbin is also a sliver lining. He does it Chicago style. Guy's awesome.

[ArtVandaley]

39. His two top deputies are very tough

The Schumer and Durbin combo will be a very tough force. I'm keeping my eyes open, this guy could go either way. Hope for the best

[Rowdyboy]

27. I was skeptical of having another Minority Leader from a red state

but if anyone can pull it off, Harry Reid can!

[Geek_Girl]

28. Like the Song goes

In the clearing stands a boxer, and a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him ’til he cried out in his anger and his shame
I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains
Yes he still remains

Link

[stillcool]

30. Thank You for enlarging the picture for me......

I'll take any kind of decent elected official from anywhere i can get it! Looks like Harry's going to be my new pen-pal.

[Lostnote03]

31. Great Post!!!

.......Reid will be surprising many folks shortly, as well as Pelosi......I feel comfortable with these two independent minded individuals.....More importantly they understand it appears, that they are acutely aware of the dissension that the GOP Dung is instigating across our nation.....

[autorank]

32. Thanks.

Reality is reality, not what the CM (corporate media) tells us it is. If you're out there and getting nailed, you know it and Reid and Pelosi know people know it! This will be great. We will actually be an opposition, rather than an enabling party!

[thefloyd]

33. autorank you are dead on about

Ried setting people up. What a better way to turns heads than start out with the guy smily act and then find out (when the claws come out) he is tough as nails. What gets me about Bush is he is not tough, but acts tough. One true sign of someone that is truly tough Only acts tough when he has to. That is Blue Collar style. Never ever fool with the son or daughter of a Blue Collar family!!!

[Lostnote03]

36. Lol......You got that right re: Blue Collar style

[autorank]

41. Finally! thefloyd, I couldn't agree more. And nobody better to knock

a bully down than a real, salt of the earth tough guy!

On edit: Reid will revive the great tradition of Give 'em Hell Harry

[NVMojo]

43. autorank, everything you've pointed out about him today is on the money!

"Give em Hell, Harry!" is perfect!!!!

[FreedomAngel82]

42. He's great indeed

I think he'll surprise a lot of people who don't know anything about him. Especially the GOP. I'm looking forward to those days when they pick the wrong person to mess around with.

[aquart]

47. I didn't know anything about him. I'M surprised.

Very pleased with the info, though.

[blondeatlast]

92. Blue Collar Style! I LOVE that. And blue collars stick together.

You've identified why we don't need to worry about Reid's abortion stance. He'll stick with his gang no matter what.

People who aren't familiar with "blue-collarliness" (sorry, couldn't think of another way to put it) can't understand how it can work to our advantage.

[blondeatlast]

90. Precisely; we now have a real opposition team.

All these people who are worried about Reid's anti-abortion views, I wonder; did Howard Dean't bother them? Kucinich's?

We've got a larger problem to deal with--an enabling Dem Senate would be the death of pro-choice legislation by way of SCOTUS.

Reid will be a huge roadblock to bad SCOTUS choices.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

45. .

[DemGirl7]

48. Well, I never had anything against Reid...

I think the job that he is doing so far as leader of the Senate Democrats is ok.

[in_cog_ni_to]

49. The man has balls, that's a fact. WWS!

He certainly knows what a hard life is and can relate to the less fortunate.....unlike the repukes.

OK. You have changed my mind about Harry. I still don't like the fact he's anti-abortion though. :(

WWS = Washington Wrestling Senate

LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!

[blondeatlast]

93. Regarding his anti-abortion views: why it doesn't matter is in post 90.

And I am FIERCELY pro-choice, btw.

[vickie]

50. I like Harry Reid more and more every day. I have a feeling the

right wing hate machine doesn't know what its come up against. He's going to be hard to caricature... He came from humble beginnings and has fought the moral fight (old West style!). Nevada also is not as Red as the right wing thinks it is. Kerry came very close to winning here...

Let's stand firm behind Harry!

[KittyWampus]

52. He Can "Gives Good Quote" Whadda Expression! LOL

I've heard him in the Senate before and KNOW he's no shrinking violet.

The biography sounds actually very interesting.

He grew up in Searchlight Nevada.

Searchlight> whadda great name.

[Walt Starr]

55. I get more impressed with Reid daily

After the Gonzales move, I'm more impressed with him than I have been with a Democratic leader in a long time.

[NVMojo]

56. just heard on the radio this morning that Reid had dinner with Bush

last night(?) The Reid rep said it was unlikely they talked about the memo Reid fired off regarding being called an obstructionist by the RNC because Reid "typically reserves his comments for the Senate floor."

Go, Reid!

And for those concerned about where he stands on abortion or other issues, I have never met a politician who is capable of making 100% of the constituents happy 100% of the time. So get behind this man, we must pull together!!

[IronLionZion]

57. YEARGH!!!

I knew there was something about Reid that was just plain awesome. That mild wise old man routine is just for show. The Republicans don't know who they're dealing with. Harry's gonna rock their world. Short of strangling Bill Frist, I think Harry's going to pull out the big guns to protect Social Security.

Bring it on muthafuckas!

[autorank]

58. "Give 'em Hell Harry" -- "big guns...to protect Social Security"

This is THE ISSUE of domestic politics since Civil Rights. In fact, it is a civil rights issue, in a sense, if you look at it as a "class discrimination" process -- haves versus have much less.

When you're at war, you rally behind the leader. He's the one leader we have who is ready to rumble and he's the one with a successful record of taking on tough guys and interests and prevailing.

[Itsthetruth]

59. Senator Reid On the War Against Iraq

Senator Reid:

"In addition to the $460 billion defense spending bill the Senate passed, I voted for each of the Iraq and Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations bills, which most recently allocated some $90 billion directly for our troops in the field. We must provide our military with the funding it needs to continue protecting our freedom."


"On March 20, 2003, I stood with my fellow Senators to salute the President and our Armed Forces in their effort to defeat Saddam Hussein."

President and Armed Forces Appreciation Resolution (S. RES. 95): COSPONSOR
This resolution supports the President, all members of the United States Armed Forces and the civilian employees who support their efforts, and the men and women of civilian national security agencies who are participating in the military operations in the Persian Gulf region in the conflict against Iraq.


108th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 95
Commending the President and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 20, 2003




RESOLUTION

Commending the President and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

Whereas Saddam Hussein has failed to comply with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 678, 686, 687, 688, 707, 715, 949, 1051, 1060, 1115, 1134, 1137, 1154, 1194, 1205, 1284, and 1441;

Whereas the military action now underway against Iraq is lawful and fully authorized by the Congress in Sec. 3(a) of Public Law 107-243, which passed the Senate on October 10, 2002, by a vote of 77-23, and which passed the House of Representatives on that same date by a vote of 296-133;

Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) commends and supports the efforts and leadership of the President, as Commander in Chief, in the conflict against Iraq;

(6) expresses sincere gratitude to British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his government for their courageous and steadfast support, as well as gratitude to other allied nations for their military support, logistical support, and other assistance in the campaign against Saddam Hussein's regime.


http://reid.senate.gov/military/military.html

[moggie12]

60. Reid & the Senate Dems redid their website

Results are pretty good. See their post today on the "birth tax":
http://democrats.senate.gov/index3.html
(Also, for anyone whose hasn't yet signed, there's a place here to sign their legislative agenda "petition")


If you want to get e-mails from Reid, sign up here:
http://democrats.senate.gov/
(I've only got two e-mails in the past 3 weeks so they don't bombard you)

[medeak]

61. He talks about his childhood in Searchlight for a reason

my mom taught him in high school and still can't get over him. He rode the bus for an hour each morning just after his Dad's suicide. No one knew who he was... but he became student body president.

I've witnessed garbage thrown at him in red neck home town yet now he's revered.

He has overcome so much with quiet perseverance.. have the upmost confidence in him.

[janetle]

66. Great story

I like people who were impressive from an early age.....unlike Bush.

[GOPFighter]

62. Reid and Pelosi are just what we need...

...as minority leaders: tough but respectable, and somewhat understated.

What we REALLY need now is a tough, outspoken backbencher like the role Newt Gingrich played for the Republicans in the late 80s, early 90s. Gingrich loudly condemned and accused Democrats almost daily. Because his accusations were so outrageous, his condemnations got lots of good press, but because he was just an individual Congressman, the Republican party and the party leadership was able to avoid getting branded as mean spirited, even though it was the party that was behind Gingrich's accusations.

The Democrats really need a Gingrich.

[EC]

63. I happen to think it's a good thing he is underestimated...n/t

[The Backlash Cometh]

64. Hmm...okay, I'll give him another look.

[Rainscents]

65. With Dean as DNC Chair...

I have feeling, Democrats are going to rise up and fight!!! YOU GO REID!!!

I'm afraid we will not win any seats until we get rid of Corporate Voting Machines!!! As long as this is in use, Democrats will continue loose seats.

[Cocoa]

69. the LaToya quote is a keeper

I'll have to keep this one handy for when I need to defend Reid:

That's right, Senate Democrats are being led by a man who once tried to strangle LaToya Jackson's future husband-manager. You call that boring?

[medeak]

70. HE CAME BACK AT BUSH TODAY!

Woohoo! CNN even covered it thank gawd...making Bush look like the @#@hole he is.

Whitehouse put out press release that they know nothing of Reid smear campaign...

[autorank]

71. "They know nothing of...smear campaign" ... and pigs live in trees!

This is what happens when somebody stands up to them. They run like a bunch of cry-baby bullies...oh, you punched me in the nose. Well get used to it White House.

I am of the firm belief that the timing of the smear from the RNC was deliberate with full knowledge that Reid and his wife were on schedule for a friendly dinner with *. This is just the type of sick thinking that goes into so much of what this little sadist Bush is up to. Well, welcome to the new world.

February is the apogee of the weak * post election bounce-lette. It's all in your face Georgie from now on.

N.B. The fact that Reid is a survivor of a parental suicide tells me a great deal. This is one of the most tragic events any child can experience. For him to move on, thrive, and have a strong new family is so admirable. It also should tell * and company that there is nothing they can send Reid's way that will come close to knocking him down.

Give 'em Hell Harry

[medeak]

72. Reid doesn't mention his Dad's suicide....very rarely

will he acknowledge it.

But I'm thinking we need to really let it out... son of widow who fought mafia in Nevada vs. priviledged son.

[blondeatlast]

95. If he doesn't care to discuss it, neither should we.

It is public knowledge, true, but the man is owed a degree of privacy.

Such things should be off-limits unless those involved care to make it an issue.

Reid doesn't.

[janetle]

74. I like that...

Give 'em Hell Harry! I think the White House thought this guy was a Harvey Milktoast or something so they decided to smear him and watch him crumble..

But little did they realize, such an approach only caused him to fight back... and I for one am behind him.

[V Lee]

73. Yeah!!! We need a leader with a SPINE!

Boxer has found hers, maybe she and Reid (and Dean?) can help the other Dems find theirs too.

One thing he and the rest of the Dems need to do is learn to proactively "frame" issues in a way that inherently makes "our side" look "right" and anyone who opposes us "wrong." The Repubs are running circles around us in that regard. For example, the Repubs calling anyone who opposes their agenda "obstructionist." They're framing the issue in terms of progress vs. obstruction, and as soon as the public hears "obstruction" they immediately associate it with "bad." (Even if what we're trying to obstruct is the destruction of the world.)

Personally, I'd much rather tell the public the truth, the facts, and let them make intelligent decisions, but in this game of politics we're playing against a team that doesn't play that way. If we're going to beat them we have to beat them at their own game, on their playing field. We need Dem leaders who realize that and can play the game just as good as (or better) than the Repubs.

[Andromeda]

82. Well said.

.

[AnneD]

103. here,here

I agree. We also need to present simple alternatives as a positive note. It is just not enough to say Bush is lying. I know SS is a complex issue, but a few simple adjustments can extend it into the future. We need to K.I.S.S. (keep it simple, stupid)

[Liberty Belle]

75. Reid took on the mob and lived. He's exactly what we need

to confront the thugs in power. He's also an ex-boxer--definitely not afraid of a fight; in fact I think he rather enjoys them.

Let's know he scores a KO with the Busheviks.

[autorank]

79. Fighgting the mob is a pre requisite for taking on the * crew!

[Liberty Belle]

80. Yep. Reid's the one to lead "Shrub-Busters!"

[Andromeda]

83. Hey, I like that.

"Shrub-Busters," mind if I use it?

[Liberty Belle]

99. Be my guest!

We need a logo. Any graphic artists care to lend a hand?

[Dr Fate]

76. "Give em Hell," Harry.

n/t

[frankly_fedup2]

77. He is the only man to call a liar a liar. No one else dares to use . . .

that term. However, this man said Bush is a liar, lied to the American people, and continues to lie.

'bout damn time.

[suigeneris]

84. I like Reid. He needs support to know he is on target.

For some reason I don't know, when you contact someone in Congress letters count most, then phone calls, then email.

So call him plenty often and let him know you want him to lead with a good hard left.

I had to call Senator Conrad's office today, and being cheap I looked up the toll-free Capitol switchboard number posted here from time to time. It doesn't work any nore. Here is one that does: 1-888-508-2974

BTW, what I wanted was some info on Conrad's terrific presentation on C-Span last night about the bullshit in the Bush budget. Iwas referred to this website, which is terific:

http://www.budget.senate.gov/democratic/

[FrenchieCat]

85. Very happy to have read this thread....

Although I have seen him work on the Senate floor on C-Span. Never thought of him as one of those Kiss ass Democrats. He's just mild mannered. But then, so was Clark Kent.

Hope he gives them so real hell. Cause that's what they need!

[applegrove]

86. I saw his speech after the SOTU and was impressed.

I saw his speech after the SOTU and was impressed. There is the mild manner in him but he was very resolute and you got the impression that he is an iceburg (lots more underneath than meets the eye). Which is important when dealing with the enemy - that the socipaths who want to take you down cannot quite get a handle on who you are deep down inside.

Sort of an Age of Innocense thing. The rich did that at the turn of the century to fool interlopers and con-men. You had to speak in code and sublimate your negative feelings into postive ones. Not that you were not aware of your anger or your passion. You just didn't let it show - you didn't get read - you didn't get exploited.

Now how someone born into poverty in Nevada came about to have those social skills - I do not know. Just so long as the monsters never get a good read on him. That is all I ask!! Reid may very well be the necessary weapon to beat Rove: the human with the mask of a machine! As opposed to the sociopath who is the machine with the mask of a human!!

[blondeatlast]

96. My dad was the son of tenant farmers in Kansas and he and his siblings

could not have been distinguished from the Astors or Vanderbilts in behavior. the accent would have been one's only clue.

Not so hard for those of us from the Harry Reid side of the tracks to believe.

[applegrove]

100. My salt of the earth family woud never think of hiding one's

My salt of the earth side of family would never think of hiding one's "feelings". The only way to be was to be ready to belly - laugh. You were worth nothing if you couldn't be real. The only way to communicate was from the gut.

My description was not meant to imply politeness, or correct language or anything like that - it was meant to imply a very good "mask" that covered all feelings. And it is not necessarily a good thing. Bush does it when he reads a speech - and that ain't a pretty thing. Sometimes you just want to grab the 'masked marvel' and scream "speak English!".

[autorank]

101. Reid's social skills...born of tragedy, struggle, and resilience.

There must have been someone (public figure or personal contact) or some other inspiration that interacted with his considerable resilience allowing him to grow beyond his years. I see the children of privilege having equal or greater challenges with social skills. But this is a remarkable story, such a struggle.

[Captain Centrist]

87. anyone realize john kerry went through this same bullshit

During the avalanche of unwarranted friendly fire john kerry received about the war in iraq and being boring and running a "bad campaign", when democrats were whining and stabbing him in the back, we had to hear this same nonsense. What the hell is this fixation with being boring or being interesting. You think a guy like george bush is interesting just because he lies and/or says at least one stupid thing every week? I mean what makes a person interesting. Tom Delay being indicted, is that interesting enough? What GOP senators may I ask, are just SOO interesting in comparison? What the hell else do we need from our democrats on the Hill, is fighting for working families not enough? Should Harry Reid have given us a tap dancing number during the democratic response?

Im sick of this. I really am. All these "critics", all these people that get paid to run their mouths as opposed to being REAL journalists, we have to stop listening to them. And this "Daily Show" dilution of politics we all love to bask in, we have to stop doing it. We are watering down politics with this petty nonsense. The republicans have led us on the wrong path, have proven to have made no progress with their policies and have been ideologically inferior and indifferent to real american values. When THE FUCK did they start getting the "style points"?!

[cry baby]

91. He is really smart publicizing this 13 page hit piece so much.

The CSPAN host just read some of an article about Reid being so mad about it.

[blondeatlast]

94. The RNC attack on Reid may backfire in a big way.

They are going after ta blue collar, salt of the earth type--the same people who voted R against their best interest in '04.

I suspect Reid knows this, and is preparing to rope-a-dope them in that regard alone.

If so, the results will be devastating, especially when the bc/sote types start feeling the effect of Bush's budget.

[NDailyNews]

97. I hope you're right because so far

he sounds like a sissy.

[autorank]

102. Look at his life and what he has survived in order to prevail.

What he sounds like is not the issue; it's all about who he is. Anyone can talk the talk (especially narcissists like *); not many can take the hard hits and walk the walk. Substance over style on this one.

[AuntiBush]

98. Give um' Hell Harry!