Reid: We Won't Let "Shrill" Town Hall Disruptions Stop Us
After a meeting at the White House with President Obama and Senate Democrats, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid acknowledged that the tea bagging town hall disruptions had picked up his attention, and had a simple response: We'll get health care done anyhow.
"In spite of the loud, shrill voices trying to interrupt town hall meetings and just throw a monkey wrench into everything," Reid said, "we're going to continue to be positive and work hard."
Reid's acknowledgment of the town hall disruptions is among the first from a senior Democrat, and a sign that the protesters are getting under the skin of those who stand to suffer politically if health care reform fails.
Reid appeared with other key senators, including Majority Whip Dick Durbin, and Sens. Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Max Baucus (D-MT)--who've taken the lead in drafting legislation in the Senate HELP and Finance Committees--to allay the concern of some liberals that the protesters were sapping the reform movement of momentum.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
This is really weak language for what is being done:
"In spite of the loud, shrill voices trying to interrupt town hall meetings and just throw a monkey wrench into everything," Reid said, "we're going to continue to be positive and work hard."
What we are up against is literally a bolshevik organizing tactic. Government leaders speak, and you take over the meeting with your goons. Soon you're in charge in they're on a one-way trip to prison -- this is tried and true. It's not shrill, it's *sedition.*
An elected official with a birth certificate wasn't born here? That's sedition. Bolshevik style.
August 4, 2009 2:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Weak language for a normal spineless wretch, perhaps, but very tough talk indeed for Sen. Reid.
August 4, 2009 6:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, Official A! You do make me laugh! Ha-ha!
August 4, 2009 6:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
The teabaggers have already shot their wad if Harry Reid is talking tough about them.
August 4, 2009 2:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
"In spite of the loud, shrill voices trying to interrupt town hall meetings and just throw a monkey wrench into everything," Reid said, "we're going to continue to be positive and work hard."
--Harry Reid
Oh crap... Now I'm really worried.
August 4, 2009 2:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was my immediate reaction too. We need to hear a lot less pap-talk from Reid (and, of course, a lot more cowbell!).
August 4, 2009 3:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Reid wouldn't know more cowbell if we rung his head with it.
August 4, 2009 3:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
:-) True enough but I think you also hit upon something here. It would be nice to get a 'new Democrat'; someone undaunted by a decade and a half in the minority.
August 5, 2009 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
I didn't think we could possibly have a more ineffectual majority leader than Daschle was. Unfortunately, Reid may be. I don't understand why the Dems would elect him leader. It seems kind of counterintuitive to make someone from a red state; purple shmurple I still consider NV red, your majority leader. To Reid's mind, he can't be out in front leading the charge on the issues that come before the Senate because of his constituency. It's not very smart. Give me a fireballer from a deep blue state that can be out in front, leading the charge and marshalling the cowardly members of the caucus.
August 4, 2009 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I will never forgive Schumer for his capitulation on Mukasey, but he'd be a huge improvement over Featherweight Harry.
August 4, 2009 6:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I could live with Chucky Schumer, he has the necessary chutzpah. It would be nice if the leader wasn't intimidated by members of his own party and he/she could get them to at least vote for cloture if not the bills on the contentious stuff.
August 5, 2009 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Note to Sen. Reid and all elected Democrats,
Do not let this shrill minority let you forget that a Majority of your constituents elected you and President Obama to get meaningful health care reform and other important priorities done. While these people may be from your districts, it is unlikely they would ever vote for you.
Let's see some change we can believe in!
PS: How about a few Disorderly Conduct charges for the interrupters?
August 4, 2009 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Progressives might ougtta start thinking about what to do about the Republicans' latest strategy of shouting down health care reform town hall meetings. Ignoring them isn't gonna cut it. Playing "we're better than thou" isn't going to resolve matters either.
Now, I'm not suggesting that the fiasco should culminate in a knock down, drag out, but I AM suggesting that "team blue" show up in force in order to make it abundantly clear to "team red" that disruptions of the proceedings will not be tolerated. Somebody needs to tell these howling baboons to shut the hell up. I volunteer.
You all might want to consider showing up at the town halls in your areas. Here's the list as posted on the Conservatives for Patients Rights website: http://www.cprights.org/townhalls.php(verify before attending).
August 4, 2009 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Reid will bend over and spread his cheeks like he always does. This is his fault to begin with - what did he think would happen if the Senate recessed without a vote - this was the GOP plan all along and Reid played his part perfectly.
August 4, 2009 3:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree wtih kfreed -- progressives need to start organizing. Otherwise, healthcare may go the way of the anti-proposition 8 movement. Strong on principle. Weak on organization.
August 4, 2009 4:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Okay, sure Harry. Just take your liver pill and try not to choke.
August 4, 2009 4:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
"We won't let 'em stop us," said Reid, "when we can stop ourselves before we get that far."
What a complete weenie.
August 4, 2009 6:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
OMG! is Harry growing a spine? Or did he have to borrow a used one from Rahm?
Seriously, if the Dems back down now from serious healthcare reform including a strong public option, they really will lose in 2010. And, they will lose big. No backing down now Mr. Reid, you have to use that spine now no matter where you got it.
August 4, 2009 7:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Typical wimpy Reid. Typical wimpy senate Democrats. These teabaggers could be pissing on them and all they would do is say "Oh please, stop it. That's not nice or fair."
Remember, Reid was chosen by the rest of the Senate Democrats to be their leader. The Senate Democrats from blue states have been screwing their constituents in order to please these red state Democrats for years, and there seems to be no end in sight. Credible primary challengers for all these spineless losers is what is needed.
August 4, 2009 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
of course they won't; they have the health care industry to do that.
to tommayo: exactly, until more people turn out for the primaries, only the shrillest fringe will decide our elections.
but even then, until we have public financing of all elections, those elected to represent us the american voters, will only continue to represent those that paid for them.
August 5, 2009 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink