a REAL uniter: Harry Reid

[CatWoman]

Another "Reid has got his shit together" story, this time from the National Journal (subscription only):

Since taking the reins of the dispirited and often fractured Senate Democratic Caucus following the November elections, Minority Leader Reid has quickly moved to shore up his control over the party and put in place a level of discipline and unity that has rarely been seen in recent years, Senate Democrats say.

Although Reid's tenure as leader is still in its infancy, Democrats acknowledge they are pleased with his ability to avoid breakdowns within the Caucus. Reid's efforts are similar to those used by congressional Republican leaders over the past decade to help them retain control of both chambers.

In the latest example of his muscle flexing, incoming Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean agreed during a meeting Wednesday with Reid to cede full control of the party's policies and agenda to congressional Democrats and to provide financial and message support to Reid's efforts, Senate Democratic aides said.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/2/11/12393/4535

[CatWoman]

1. FYI

He's on with Al Franken right now.

[mzmolly]

2. He's doing a great job! Sounds like he and Dean are working together well.

Dean told Reid "he wants clear lines of communication to ... amplify what the Democrats up here are doing," an aide familiar with the conversation said.

[FreedomAngel82]

3. Great!

I'll have to listen to Franken's rerun tonight to listen to Mr. Reid. When was he on the show? Beginning, middle or end? I'm glad they're working together. :) Mr. Dean is already getting to work and he hasn't even been confirmed yet. Tomorrow is the big day. I really like Mr. Reid and love how he's the fighter and helping keeping us all together. :bounce:

[CatWoman]

6. he was on close to the end of the 3d hour

:D

[NewYorkerfromMass]

4. I knew he was the real deal the way he stood up to Estrada

He was steady as a rock, and wouldn't give the Republicans a centimeter of slack.

[blondeatlast]

5. Reid's scrappy and street-tough. He can speak to blue-collars, too.

He's one himself and he can connect. The RNC is gonna be VERY surprised by Reid. This is a man that can pimp slap DeLay.

Let's get ready to ruuuuuuuummmble...

[mzmolly]

10. I think they'll rue the day the ousted Daschle.

:evilgrin:

[blondeatlast]

11. Oh, how I hope so. I suspect very strongly that they will, too. nt

[leyton]

18. I've often thought about that.

They should have spent their money somewhere else, like in Colorado.

[Romulus]

13. Let's get ready to ruuuuuuuummmble...(OH yeah!!!!!) (n/t)

[Just Me]

19. "Scrappy" is such a great term!!!!

:bounce:

I got to catch him speak earlier today. He cracked me up!! He nailed Bush so many times I thought my gut would bust!!!

It is just so, so GREAT to watch the Democrats get fired up and FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!!!

:kick:

[John_H]

7. The graph about Dean was reason this was posted, natch, but

the article shows a dem leader doing what dem leaders need to do.

Before those not fully versed in how the DNC functions fall for this mediawhore's bait, the word "cede" is wholly inacurate. The DNC chairman has never had any authority to set policy or the legislative agenda, so Dean cannot "cede" it. And of course there is nothing new about the DNC leding message and financial support to the Senate Majority Leader's operation. In fact, that's what they're for.

[Eloriel]

20. Thank you --

that didn't sound at all right to me, but it did sound like a small slap at Dean, didn't it? Wonder if the reporter wanted to undermine Dean's position?

[Redleg]

8. Nope, Reid's just another Republican-Lite.

Just kidding, just kidding! I am impressed with Reid. I think he will continue to fight and will do a great job, along with Dean, of getting the Dem Party's shit together.

[blondeatlast]

12. Damn you--it's Friday!

I was NOT ready for that!

[stevedeshazer]

9. I've forgiven him for the post-SOTU debacle

He was terrible that night, but I sure like what I am hearing now.

Heard him on Franken's show today, he was very good.

[moggie12]

14. Lots of positive comments about Reid on that Kos thread, too.

He seems to be getting the thumbs-up everywhere these days.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[VolcanoJen]

16. Donks....?

Cute!

And, would you mind sharing your evidence that the party is hemorraghing members?

[gulfcoastliberal]

17. Personally, I'm a lot more hopeful about Dean than Reid

Dean is a breath of fresh air. If Reid has the dems so organized, they should be running max interference against the pugs harmful legislation/agenda. He appears poised to hand Bush the "bankruptcy reform" written by the credit-card companies, and "tort reform" also written by K St that guts class action lawsuits against corporations. I really am trying not to be negative but I'm looking for actions, not words.

[Adelante]

21. Barbara Boxer, Chief Deputy Whip

I heard today that Reid has appointed her. It was in an email from Boxer.