Should Harry step down as Minority Leader ?

[kentuck]

Not because he can't do the job but to protect his health. He has been a good leader. But his health is more important than his job as Minority Leader. I don't think anyone that could do a better job but I would not begrudge him if he stepped down.

[JI7]

1. how do you know his health would improve otherwise

and sometimes one can be very healthy and still have a stroke or something else.

i think it should be his decision. not working when he wants to could have a negative affect on his health also.

[EST]

2. Dick Durbin would be a good replacement.

Fine man, smart, brave, experienced. But (and a big one, at that) if we people of high ethical standards retake the house and senate in '06, all will be moot.

[rodeodance]

3. there is no need to him to step down--because of susposed health

problems.

[EST]

5. No, I agree--of course not.

I am clear that what appears to us as nothing going on to entrap and strangle the powerful evil that is the government-top to bottom-probably masks a hive of intense activity. The minority leader is a very bright man and it takes an inordinate amount of skill to achieve a checkmate when all you possess is a rook and a few pawns. H R needs to be given all the space he needs to do whatever he sees fit.
With some notable exceptions, the seasoned leaders that survive this holocaust will be very very valuable for the coming tasks of recreating this country.

[ptolle]

9. not a stroke

According to the best analysis I've heard what Sen. Reid experienced was a TIA( Transient Ischemic Attack) a temporary deprivation of blood supply to the brain.It may, or may not be a precursor to a full blown stroke or other neurological problems and can occur in people of otherwise excellent health. The media must describe it as a stroke because they have to write down to the simplest level of understanding of their audience which, IMO, is somewhere around the 6th grade. They also have to make it brief given that attention spans hover about that level as well. I doubt that Senator Reid misses a beat and more than a day or two on the job which days ought to, and likely will be, given over to trying to discover whether or not any conditions leading to this TIA are chronic and/or possibly more dangerous.My impression of the man is that he's tougher than whalebone and whang leather and that this might probably only serve to make him more determined.

[Fridays Child]

4. Not saying he should or shouldn't but, if he did...

...I'd love to see Barbara Boxer take his place.

[Independent_Liberal]

6. I agree...

Boxer should take his place if he did step down.

[dansolo]

12. That wouldn't happen

Dick Durbin, as the Minority Whip, would be the most likely candidate.

[dsc]

7. I don't know exactly what his situation is

but for my grandmother, who had a series of small strokes the prescription was asparin and a small amount of blood pressure medication.

[Hidden Stillness]

8. We Have Many Great Leaders, and Should Support Them All Generally

No--Harry Reid has been great, and should be supported; if Reid wants to slow down, that would be different. From what I have heard, it was a minor stroke, and people nowadays generally recover completely from those, with prompt medical care. As for the health of people, remember that the greatest President in the history of the country conducted four terms of office from a wheelchair, and the greatest First Lady ever was a kind of "assistant President" because she was needed so much.

[Adelante]

10. No, not unless he says so

He's a terrific leader. He will know when he can't do the job.

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

11. If he wishes to

I hope he doesn't wish to, but it is concerning since being Minority Leader in these times has to be stressful.

On the other hand having a passion and sense of purpose can do wonders for a person's health.

And if he did decide to step down, I wouldn't begrudge him that decision either.