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Reid: I Appreciate That Coleman Fought Hard, And That He Is Now Stepping Aside
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has issued this statement, on former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) having conceded defeat to Democratic Sen.-elect Al Franken in the long-fought and long-litigated 2008 Minnesota Senate race:
"I know a thing or two about close elections, and I appreciate both that Norm Coleman fought hard throughout his race and recount, and that he is now stepping aside and letting the people of Minnesota have the full representation they deserve.
"I enjoyed my time working with Norm Coleman in the United States Senate, and wish him the best."
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Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
Seantor Reid, was that really necessary?
June 30, 2009 4:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Consider it positive reinforcement for finally conceding. And a periodic reminder to the American people that we're the party that's not composed entirely of obnoxious bullies.
June 30, 2009 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Um, Harry?
You now don't have any more excuses, kay?
Oh, I know that 59 isn't that different from 60, but now that you have 60, if you can't manage your caucus you should step away. You really really should. No more whining about not having the votes. None. Borrow some of Nancy Pelosi's backbone and get your damn caucus in line.
June 30, 2009 5:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Problem is the Mod Dem working group are almost an independent party themselves. Reid just doesn't have the grapes to herd these cats, in my opinion.
June 30, 2009 5:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Doh, did I just make an excuse for freaking Harry Reid?
June 30, 2009 5:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, yes, you did. But I forgive you.
I understand your point, but the reason the "moderate Dems" (sic, if you ask me) have so much power is because Harry can't effectively put the squeeze on them. Or so it appears. And you can either look at THAT as the "moderate Dems" really are powerful, or, that Harry Reid isn't effective. I choose the latter.
June 30, 2009 5:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sometimes I wonder who actually would make an effective leader. Now that we have all members actually in--or almost, in Franken's case--maybe we can do a blog:
June 30, 2009 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
How, exactly, is it that you guys think this iron-willed drill seargent of your dreams will become Senate Majority Leader? It's not a popularly elected position.
I've said it until I'm blue in the um, fingers: the Senate Majority Leader, no matter who he or she is, cannot be stronger than the people who elect him or her--i.e. the Senate Democrats--will permit him/her to be. A Senate Majority leader today who tried to act like he was the reincarnation of Lyndon Johnson would find himself ousted in an ugly, divisive, back-biting little coup quick as hell. Ask Trent Lott how that works.
June 30, 2009 8:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fine. A pox on the whole lot of them.
It's increasingly difficult for me to look at Harry Reid and the Democrats and accept the continued lamenting about "not having the votes". The Dems have, comparatively speaking, a large margin, and yet the dwindling minority of Republicans still manage to obstruct progress. Harry Reid could certainly call their damn bluff and let them filibuster until they turn blue but he never does. In 2007, the explanation was that more Democrats were needed. Well, they've got them. What's the explanation now?
You know damn well were the tables switched, and Republicans were in the Democrat's position, more would have been accomplished by this point.
July 1, 2009 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink