Reid blasts Bush over policy change

Benjamin Grove

Friday, March 16, 2001 | 9:46 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., this week re-asserted his role as a leading Republican critic.

As the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, Reid at times has acted as national spokesman for his party. And just a few months after Reid regularly stepped into the spotlight to support Al Gore in his presidential bid, it was clear this week the senator might have a busy four years ahead as a high-profile adversary of President Bush.

"I'm not looking for a fight," Reid said Thursday. "But if our children are choking on smog, I can't just stand by and be silent."

Reid on Wednesday blasted Bush for a reversing a campaign commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, which scientists say contributes to global warming.

Bush made his pledge during a public appearance, and Environmental Protection Agency administrator Christine Todd Whitman reiterated the vow just days ago. But this week Bush sent a letter to several Republican senators saying he would not further regulate plants pending energy shortages. Democrats pounced.

"If he has anymore environmental flip-flops, I'll be on the floor (making objections)," Reid said.

Reid hosted a press conference Wednesday with fellow Democratic Sens. Hillary Clinton, N.Y., Joseph Lieberman, Conn., and Tom Carper, Del., to batter Bush for breaking a campaign promise.

"We have to set an example for the people," Reid said. "We have to be people of our word."

Reid said he was not trying to weaken Bush with criticism, but then added Bush's policy change "says volumes about his presidency."

Bush had defended his carbon dioxide decision as "responding to a reality" -- further regulating power companies now will drive energy costs even higher, he said. Republicans rushed to Bush's defense.

On Wednesday night, Reid batted for the Democrats on CNN, appearing with Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho. "The president has reneged on a promise he made to the American people, and everybody realizes that," Reid said.

Craig countered, "President Bush did exactly what he had to do for the American economy."

Bush soon will be an environmental leader, "but right now we've got an energy crisis," Nevada Republican Party director Ryan Erwin said.

"(Reid) has become the Democratic attack dog," Erwin said. "We have a president who has made a commitment to bipartisan cooperation and trust. I'm embarrassed that the senator from our state is breaking that trust."

Reid also is the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Environment Committee and vows to closely watch Bush's environmental initiatives. The committee has responsibility for EPA oversight.

Reid last month praised Bush for backing tough diesel emission standards. But on Thursday Reid sent Whitman a letter after he learned that the lingering implementation of 1996 regulations to protect children from pesticides were still under debate at the EPA.

Reid often manages bills on the Senate floor. As Senate Majority Whip, it is Reid's responsibility to keep Democratic lawmakers in line. So, Reid has been tapped to lead various charges against Republicans before, including candidate Bush.

This week Reid also seized opportunities to slam Bush's 10-year, $1.6 trillion tax cut in a national radio address Saturday, in speeches to a gathering of U.S. city officials Monday and then to veterans Tuesday.