CONGRESS:

Reid unplugged with reporters, in long form

Talk includes surprises about Supreme Court justice, another senator, his new friends

Saturday, March 28, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Politics: The Early Line

Sen. Harry Reid

Reid: Ads targeting moderates 'not helpful' (3-27-2009)
Reid, Obama discuss Afghanistan (3-26-2009)
Card check bill loses crucial support (3-24-2009)

Washington — Even snippets of comments by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid can make big news. Entire stories are written from sentence fragments grunted in a hallway.

But Friday morning, Reid had time to expand on his thoughts for nearly an hour at a breakfast with more than 30 journalists. It was a fresh opportunity for the nation’s reporters to see Reid unplugged.

He put on quite a show. As his autobiography reminds, Reid offers flashes of wit, impatience and steeliness. Friday, he touched on the war in Afghanistan, AIG bonuses, Supreme Court Justice John Roberts’ truthfulness and his own reelection in 2010.

He also told the journalists they should eat healthier breakfasts.

Here are highlights, condensed and occasionally paraphrased for clarity:

The mood in Nevada.

People in Nevada are no different from people anyplace else in the country — probably a little more upset than most because we’re in a running battle for who has the worst economy.

The boom is not there now. People are terribly concerned about the economy, as they should be — that’s housing, that’s the greed and corruption we discovered took place in the financial world.

Obama’s new Afghanistan policy.

There’s no chest-thumping. No ‘Bring ’em on.’ There’s no ‘Mission Accomplished.’ The narrow focus is to protect America.

We’re going after al-Qaida. Training the Afghans. It’s stressing things that should have been stressed before. We need to help with agricultural development to get away from poppy growth in Afghanistan. We’re going to do that.

Truth at Supreme Court confirmation hearings.

Roberts didn’t tell us the truth. At least Samuel Alito (now also on the court) told us who he was. We’re stuck with those two young men.

Building coal-fired plants to generate electricity.

I was reading a newspaper one day and I saw there were five coal-fired plants on the drawing boards in Nevada. I can’t remain silent about that. As the time went on, people began to see that I was right.

Coal, some people think, is cheap, but the long-term costs are significant. I’m not somebody who is against clean coal technology. None exists right now. I hope we can do that. We need to take a little time out here and stop the coal fantasy.

Whether the 2010 election will bring 60 Democrats to the Senate.

We are in a position to pick up a number of seats. I would love to have 60. I’d be happy with 59. We focus a little too much on numbers.

Has he talked to Sen. Arlen Specter, a moderate Republican from Pennsylvania, about becoming a Democrat?

Yes, I’ve talked to him. He kind of stopped everyone from being able to help him by coming out against Card Check (a labor bill that would make it easier for workers to unionize).

About Card check.

The business community is really flogging a horse that doesn’t deserve it. Why are people concerned about unions? I think allowing people the ability to organize, there’s nothing wrong with that.

We should work on an agreement. With Specter backing out on this, I know there are conversations going on now with other Republicans to see what can be done.

Reid’s 2010 reelection prospects.

Some people like who I am, others don’t. I’ve watched other senators try to change who they are during the election cycle. It’s real ugly. I’m not going to do that.

My campaign operation in 2004 was as good as my operation was bad in 1998. I tried to run my campaign in 1998 on a shoestring. Waited late. Didn’t have a professional fundraiser. I already have my campaign operation set up.

I’m sure they’re gong to find somebody to run against me. I know I have a target on my back. I feel comfortable that I will be competitive. I’ll be OK.

Strange bedfellows.

I had a bitter election race in 1998 — it doesn’t speak well of me — against someone I didn’t like: John Ensign. Ten years later, he’s one of my good friends. I think the world of John Ensign.

It has helped me personally to see someone you didn’t care a lot about can be a good friend.

Now, T. Boone Pickens. I can’t imagine how I can sit at the same table with T. Boone Pickens, but I have, and he’s just a charming man. I really like the guy.

I’ve got Ensign. I’ve got Pickens. Next, I’m going to start liking the New York Yankees.

A reporter’s characterization of New York Sen. Chuck Schumer (a close ally of Reid’s) as a “leading Democrat.”

Was it Schumer that told you he was one of the leading Democrats?

Eminent domain for electrical transmission lines.

We need to have a public highway for electricity. We’re going to have to have eminent domain — that’s condemnation.

TV ads from liberals attacking moderate Democrats.

I think it’s very unwise and not helpful. These groups should leave them alone. It’s not helpful to me. It’s not helpful to the Democratic caucus.

Bush vs. Obama.

I wrote in my book that Bush is the worst president ever. I have received support for that in recent weeks. A group of scholars listed all the presidents. I was wrong. Bush wasn’t at the bottom — he was two from the bottom.

Now Barack Obama ... Some people can sing, run fast, jump high, play a musical instrument. He is born with the ability to communicate.

Auto industry aid.

The goal of our helping the automobile industry and the other things we’ve done is to stop this country from falling into a Great Depression.

AIG bonus ban stalled.

This issue is not gone. This issue is not out of sight.

How much charities would be hurt by reducing tax deductions for the wealthy.

I don’t think, ‘What kind of tax break am I going to get if I give to the Boy Scouts or my church?’ It’s blown way out of proportion. One of the senators talked about some of the things she wanted to get done, and within 10 seconds talked about charitable deductions. Obama said, ‘You can’t have it both ways. We got to pay for this stuff.’

Regarding reporters downing scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon and potatoes.

I suggest you eat something else in the morning.

Discussion: 18 comments so far…

By neiman1

3/28/09 at 2:25 a.m.

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Aw shucks, such a nice guy. He sees nothing wrong with taking the secret ballot away from people in union elections. When people want to take your rights away, they are up to evil.

This man thinks taking money from Nevada tax payers to save the United Auto Workers benefits while they are losing thier jobs and have no benefits is the right thing to do.

sorry harry, no more.
By fremmasmind

3/28/09 at 6:21 a.m.

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I'm sorry he didn't talk about immigration reform. I'm sure he will be producing a bill soon instead of spending his time on correcting the problems our citizens are having with our economy right now. You can fool some of the people some of the time...
By Sunlizard

3/28/09 at 8:05 a.m.

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"We need to have a public highway for electricity. We're going to have to have eminent domain -- that's condemnation."

Only if you are poor and you have not donated to Reid's office. I doubt that Reid's house in Searchlight will be condemed. Remember this in 2010. This guy needs to go to jail...
By Sunlizard

3/28/09 at 8:08 a.m.

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"Obama's new Afghanistan policy.

There's no chest-thumping. No 'Bring 'em on.' There's no 'Mission Accomplished.' The narrow focus is to protect America."

Sorry Harry, a political war from the democraps is no different from a political Bush war. You are killing many innocent people. Don't try to make this sound holy.
By bobojake

3/28/09 at 8:25 a.m.

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harry you are a foney Washington DC politican that has raped Nevada and the United States for years. obamas craps and shove carbon tax will double the cost of food, double the cost of gasoline, double the cost of electricy and reid is supporting this rape of the hardworking middle class taxpayers.
Why does reid,schuuuuummmmmmmmmmmer, obama and peloski hate American middle class hardworking taxpayers.
By doubledown_deadender

3/28/09 at 8:31 a.m.

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LVS makes no effort to conceal their abject promotion of all things Harry Reid.

Does that make LVS a blog?
Like Huffington Post?
By texexnv

3/28/09 at 8:43 a.m.

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Just hope nobody slipped and fell in all the puke that must have been all over the the floor....
By scorpiogal

3/28/09 at 9:10 a.m.

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"Clean up on isle 5...Clean up on isle 5".
By aBadReid

3/28/09 at 9:14 a.m.

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Nice article, but if you want "the rest of the story" visit http://aBadReid.com

Harry Reid has a lot of money for his campaign, it will be tough to defeat him.

Visit websites and get educated as knowledge is power!
By homer

3/28/09 at 9:28 a.m.

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neiman1, More stupidity from you.It never stops.
The secret ballot is the way democracies vote, unless you prefer dictatorships keep quiet.It is the opinion of respected scholars the Bush administration was a dictatorship. Next time you vote let someone with a brain help you out maybe America can avoid the Bush's and Ensigns.
If you would grow up and study the issues you would know that tens of thousands of people who don't work for The United Auto Workers but supply the big three would be unemolyed along with the UAW workers. Tens of thousands . You could not know that because your parents have never taken you or your skateboard out of Clark County to understand how manufacturing really works or did until Bush encouraged all of the manufacturing jobs to leave America .While you are thanking someone thank George Bush and his lying war for bankrupting America. If there is another war maybe you will be old enough and instead of running your mouth and sounding like an idiot you can go fight it. Thanks Bush for all the evil and wrong you have done. Get a life neiman.
By homer

3/28/09 at 9:30 a.m.

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neiman I went to a wine tasting benefit that benefited the intellectually challenged a few evenings ago, I hope you are contacted soon.
By sanddunes

3/28/09 at 10:34 a.m.

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I really want to see what the people think about this empty suit Reid.

From one of the top lawmakers in the country,
"told the journalists they should eat healthier breakfasts". Thanks Reid
By laguna

3/28/09 at 10:43 a.m.

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Card check does away with the secret ballot, undoing a democratic principal cherished since the early Greeks.

Homer, I dont think you understood what you criticised Neiman for in regard to card check, since you wrote the exact same thing. homer you attack other posters much the same way Brian Greenspun does. Just give your opinion, the attacks, like Brians, are a sign of insecurity.
By bingowaba

3/28/09 at 6:03 p.m.

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Thank God for Harry Reid in the Senate. Now, if we can elect 59 more Senators like Harry Reid, we may actually have a meaningful future to look forward to. I'm sending Harry my personal campaign contribution today. I suggest the rest of you put your money where your mouth is or just shut up.
By larry5

3/28/09 at 6:31 p.m.

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I'd rather hear sentence fragments grunted in a hallway from this guy.

I share Dennis Miller's views on Reid - "You are a vague, translucent, living shade who barely matters, and if you really want to serve the country that affords a trifle like you the opportunity to delude himself into thinking that he matters, you must never, ever speak out loud in public again."
By sbob2u

3/28/09 at 9:06 p.m.

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Comments: (1) LVS makes no effort to conceal their abject promotion of all things Harry Reid. (2)You are a vague, translucent, living shade who barely matters.

(1)The guy has virtually disappeared from the papers, but the Sun thinks he is #1!? (2) He seems over the hill and I don't think Obama even likes him. He did not get much revenue for Nevada.

HE BETRAYED EVERY REPUBLICAN IN THE STATE. When Bush carried the state, he put up signs like this: "Harry Reid, independent like Nevada." So he stayed in office as a kindly, grandfatherly type. Then the Chameleon became the Dem whip and went around cussing out the President. HE BROUGHT THE SENATE OFFICE TO A NEW LOW.

These days the Chameleon is going around saying he even likes Republicans. Obviously trying to undo the harm of yesterdays, and create a new personality.

To push card check is to betray the principals of the United States. Sure management can intimidate, but they won't cuss you out behind your back, or throw a brick through your windshield. Reid says that only 6% of the population is in a union, which indicates exactly how useful they have been for the last 30 or so years: Losing jobs overseas, starting useless strikes, and destroying job security. No wonder they have so few members. It has very little to do with management intimidation, and they ought to know that--looking back at the 40s and 50s.

The fact is unions managed to defeat themselves by trying to out-strike each other for more benefits. They ended the career of the liberal Mayor Lindsay in New York, and he had to turn the city over to the banks.

The PATCO strike was opposed even by other unions and the AFLCIO refused permission; but that did not stop the Air Traffic Controllers for asking for $10,000 more/yr and getting outrage even from Congress. (Even the left-wingers of this country thought they were outrageous. The minimum wage was something like $4.25/hr, which is less than the $10,000/yr raise they demanded.) The ticket takers and pilots were not in that union and so kept the airports open. It shows how little one union cares for other unions and workers. PATCO went down disastrously and union power has never recovered.
By fremmasmind

3/28/09 at 9:19 p.m.

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So homer is it right to expect the citizens of the United States to fund money to corporations who probably won't be able to it back? Why don't you take your agressions out on the Federal Reserve, the Bilderberg group, the Trilateral Comission, and the World Bank. They are the ones who control our polititions. Are you just using neiman one as a scapegoat to relieve your tensions?
By randucandu

3/29/09 at 4:52 p.m.

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Senor Reid Sux...
All he cares about are the illegals...Thats why he blocked e-verify.
I'm sure he's gonna be pushing for amnesty BEFORE the next election,Otherwise,He's toast.