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Emanuel Says White House And Senate Dems Have 'Absolute' Confidence In Harry Reid (VIDEO)
Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel
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White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said President Obama and the Senate Democrats have "100 percent, absolute confidence" in Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid following the publication of old comments Reid made on Obama's race.
"What's important is not what was said a year ago, it's the challenges they are facing here today in the country," Emanuel said, appearing on the new MSNBC show "The Daily Rundown."
The defense of Reid comes after weekend revelations that the majority leader talked about Obama being "light-skinned" and not having a "Negro dialect" and his private support for Obama during the 2008 presidential primary.
Reid (D-NV) has apologized to the president and Obama said the "book is closed" on the matter, but Republicans are calling for Reid's resignation.
Emanuel said Obama believes the comments were "unfortunate" but accepts Reid's apology.
"He knows Harry Reid, he trusts Harry Reid," Emanuel said, adding the caucus also shares that confidence.
Here's the clip:
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lousgirl84
January 11, 2010 10:00 AM
This is/was so much ado about nothing. Actually, what he said is true - and for the thugs to be calling for his resignation is the ultimate hiprocisy. I am sick of non-stories.
I watched the BBC News this morning and saw so many interesting stories I probably won't see here and one of them is a recent poll taken of Afghani's and they are very hopeful and see their country turning around in a positive direction. Compared to last year's polling, they now blame th taliban for most of their problems and think the Nato forces are doing a good job in protecting them.
Let's see if this story makes it to the illustrious TPM and other websites. We certainly seem to make so much out of these other polls, why not this story??
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jana47
January 11, 2010 10:45 AM
The Republican Party one which has literally No African AMericans and have never cared enough to seek their interest or their votes, just proves these folk will go to any lenght to get back the power even after running this country under the bus.
To have Michael Steel ask for Reid's resignation is utterly ridiculous. Reids record as compared to Micheal Steel in his own community is in GREAT Standing. Michael Steel is not about his community, that being the black community, which Mr. Steel has done absolutely nothing in public to support or address those woes.
Republicans should worry about Steel who's all about Steel and how much money he can take the party for and using the party's name to GET RICH QUICK.
Latest comments, "If Republicans don't like him either fire him or shut up and get with the program. "I did not seek the job: which we all know is a blant lie because we watched the voting process when two others running conceeded and gave Mr. Steel their votes, he won.
No one will ever take a racism comment coming from the Republican party seriously when they have demonstrated over and over again that they have absolutely no interest in communiting with the Black Community, understanding or addressing their needs, inviting them into the party, and continue to be an all inclusive party of basically "WHITE MEN" Not even the Republican women in the congress have a platform, like the significant Democrat women who represent the partry on a daily basis
Just say "The Lillyledbetter Law" one which every single Republican voted against when a woman was cheated out of 40% of her salary for over 20 years and is now receiving 40% less retirement and social security than the men on the same job.
When given an opportunity to correct a wrong to women in the work place and any other workers but especially women, the Republicans stood in line and VOted No! Knowing that in the U.S. women make anywhere from 48% to 75% on the dollar dependent upon their race.
Republicans are not even in the ball park on commenting on Senator Reid they are out of the arena having supported views unbecoming to what's supportive in the Black Community
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AhTrini1
January 11, 2010 11:21 AM
I know what Senator Reid said was a bit racially insensitive and his wording a bit "old" but who Black person hasn't said that Whites would vote for Barack because of those same traits. Please support him by calling and/or emailing - asking him not to resign.
Reid, Harry - (D - NV) Class III
522 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3542
Web Form: reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm
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The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
January 11, 2010 11:54 AM
This thing reminds me of those situations in elementary school when a guy would tear into a bully picking on his younger brother, saying "you can't pick on my little brother and get away with it! Only I can pick on him!"
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sunnysteve
January 11, 2010 11:58 AM
Please answer the following question:
Which senator from Nevada has conducted himself in a more moral and ethical manner?
Thank you.
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Mr. Conspiracy
January 11, 2010 12:35 PM
They're defending Reid because they need that incompete twit "leading" the Senate so disastrously. Without Reid in place, they wouldn't be able to blame the recalictrant conservatives in the Senate for blocking up all the progressive legislation Obama and Rahm aren't the least bit interested in passing.
A strong Senate leader would put Obama in a terrible spot. He'd have to put his mouth where the money is. So they can't lose Reid. Not yet. Not with a 60 vote supermajority. After 2010, when they lose three or four seats, it will be safe to cut Reid lose (or better yet, if one of those seats belongs to Reid).
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