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Published Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010 | 7:07 a.m.
Updated Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010 | 2:45 p.m.
Senator Harry Reid speaks during a news conference on the construction site of McCarran International Airport's new terminal Tuesday, January 12, 2009.
Dina Titus speaks during a meeting with the Las Vegas Sun editorial board on January 5, 2010.
WASHINGTON -- Democratic Rep. Dina Titus insists today she did not suggest Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s career is “done” – but she makes no apologies for dropping the f-bomb to express her concern about the difficult election climate facing Democrats in fall.
Titus was retracing her steps after it was reported in Politico that she said “Reid is done; he’s going to lose,” during a closed door meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic freshmen following last week’s special election of Republican Scott Brown to the Senate.
Titus insists she did not say those words.
When Pelosi went around the room to ask the freshmen their take on the Massachusetts victory, what Titus said went more like this:
“I said, ‘If we don’t get the message, we're f-----,” Titus told the Sun today. “I said that’s everybody – half of us in this room could be gone, you could lose the majority, Harry Reid could lose, the president may not get a second term unless we get a handle on this. That’s what I said.”
Today, Titus said she stands by her tough language, even though she apologized at the time to the speaker for swearing.
“You can’t pussyfoot around,” Titus said. She wanted to bring the concerns of her Southern Nevada district – the issues of joblessness and the foreclosure crisis -- to the fore.
“I was expressing their frustrations in kind of the boldest, simplest, strongest way I could to get the speaker’s attention.”
Fellow Demcorats came to Titus' side today and said they do not recall her saying that Reid is done.
Rep. Gerald Connolly, the Democrat from Virginia who is president of the freshman class, said he recalls no mention of Reid at all.
“I heard her certainly warn all her colleagues that if we didn’t get something done there could be dire consequences,” Connolly said.
Democratic Rep. Tom Perriello of Virginia, another freshman who was in the meeting, issued a statement saying “she did not single out Senator Reid. She said that all Democrats would be in trouble if we didn't learn from the Massachusetts election."
The frank talk is sure to add a new dimension to the Reid-Titus relationship.
Titus spoke to Reid last night and he accepted her explanation.
"They have had a good relationship for years and he takes her at her word," said Reid spokesman Jon Summers.
The two have a frosty history, especially after Reid did not appear to give his robust support for her failed campaign for governor.
But Reid was Titus’ chief backer when she ran in 2008 and unseated then-Rep. Jon Porter, the Republican who had held the Southern Nevada district since it was created.
Reid tapped Titus to run, supported her with campaign funds and helped her learn Washington once she arrived. They had appeared to have patched up their differences.
While Reid's difficult re-election is no secret, Titus also faces a potentially tough campaign to keep her Southern Nevada seat. The district had been solidly Democratic in 2008 but Nevada's political terrain is shifting again with a resurgence among independents.
Titus said today she believes Reid will, in fact, be re-elected.
"Congresswoman Titus believes that no one has done more for Nevada than Harry Reid," said Titus spokesman Andrew Stoddard. "He fights every day to create jobs, stop foreclosures and turn our economy around. He has been a champion for Nevada's families and she is confident that he will be re-elected because of it."
Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley jumped to Reid's defense today, dashing off a statement of confidence that voters will re-elect him to another term this fall.
“No one can match Senator Reid’s record when it comes to delivering for the families in our state,” Berkley said. “That is why I know Nevadans will again choose Harry Reid to be their senator this November."
Her dirty mouth turns me on. :)
Dina reads the writing on the wall for the liberal agenda. She's getting smarter.
With any luck all of these foreigners like Dina Titus will follow Reid down the tube. I know I will be working hard to help get rid of her.
Comment removed by moderator. Contained name calling and a personal attack.
nez212,
"foreigners"???
Get yerrself a clue, there, pard.
It is time to stand up to politicians and say No More. No More tax increases. No More unions for tax paid employees. No More Cadillac benefit plans for tax paid employees. No More expensive travel on tax dollars. No More Lifetime welfare and Medicaid benefits unless disabled. No More tax exempt US dollars leaving this country, i.e. Churches, Charities and illegal immigrant wages. The list goes on.
That is the first intelligent thing I have ever heard Titus say.
Comment removed by moderator. Contained a personal attack.
Et tu, Dina?
Comment removed by moderator. Name-calling.
It appears that Titus heard the Mass. message. I did not expect that.
Usual Dummocratic cannabalistic meatgrinder still going on I see.
Language like this makes me see red - not blue.
They are all done!!! We need new, fresh, non-corrupt(if possible)People serving US!!! Anyone who gets special "favors" from unions, drug co, oil co ect ect ect is not in Washington for me or you. Get rid of the "self serving" s.o.bs
I'm with you americangirl10 !
More unintelligible comments by those who only have right arms - it is a wonder they can type. I really admire Dingy Harry and his buddies Dina and Shelley - shoot me in the foot with Gaboon the gov and the other extremists who will some day replace them!
Reid should retire and let Goodman run for Senate since he wont take over the Gov's job (who would want it? ugh!). Goodman polls the best over Reid and Berkley. See http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2010/01/w...
Harry Reid should be put in jail for what he has done and tried to do to America. I hope Obama campaigns for him. That will be the "kiss of death". Everyone Obama campaigned for has lost. GREAT!
Republicans, don't get too excited. The Independents are after your seats as well. Far too much political infighting -- the Republican NO is just as irritating as the Democratic failure to organize. All Senate and House incumbents should be worried, regardless of their political affiliation. All are guilty of an inability to legislate.
Good for Dina Titus. "...she acknowledged that she said Democrats would be "f---ed" if they failed to heed the lessons of Massachusetts, where Republican Scott Brown won Ted Kennedy's Senate seat last week..."
Publicly, Dina has to support old Harry...
Dina Taxus is done also. Good riddance!
she is right! Now Harry needs to make the same comment about Dina so he can be right also! lol
Titus is absolutely right! Reid is done!!! At lease she realizes and acknowledges what the vote in MA meant, although Reid continues to push Obamacare. Reid has shown what a disgraceful person he is by his behavior towards others and his corruption with backdoor deals, bribes and threats. After reading the article in Sunday's paper on Reid and the link to the New York Times magazine article, I am even more convinced than ever that Reid is an embarrassment and total disgrace. I am ashamed that he is a senator from Nevada. Reid is an intolerant disgusting criminal who should be tried and sent to prison, not living in a plush, luxury apartment in Washington.
Done? Well done I would opine. Stick a fork in the old geezer.
Comment removed by moderator. Comment contained offensive language.
I hope Dina is right and that Harry Reid will soon be just History and he can get a job as a dish waher at The Search light Nugget
Titus is right about Reid. He's done and should be. Her and Berkley says he has done so much for families in Nevada. How about how he spoke up to Obama about the convention comment or his healthcare push, or raising taxes. Liberal dems are losers and we need new leadership for sure.
Titus and Reid are history. Pelosi is at 11% in last weeks polls. Better times are ahead.
Bill Young is about the only Democrat I can think of that might win statewide office, of course Sandoval is a DIRC, Democrat in Republican Clothing.
Hmmm, a Democrat, bad-mouthing another dirty Democtrat behind yet another Democrat meeting behind closed doors, gets busted. Called to the carpet, lies to the dirty Democrat's face and yet another arrogant, smug Democrat comes to the aid of the dirty Democrat's aid saying the "dumb" people of Nevada will re-elect the dirty Democrat. Hmmmm, I'm thinking all three of these Democrats are Nevada's dirty little secret. In November, we have the opportunity to finally rid ourselves of the three horrible politicians and start a fresh. We have settled for far too long. Vote out Shelly Berkley, Dina Titus, and both Reid's! Let's take our state back!
One of the first bills Titus voted for, of course, was to increase taxes.
She increased taxes on poor and low income families so that the middle class families can get free health insurance for their children.
Why she did that I do not know....she just must love to raise taxes.
The smartest thing I've heard a dem say in a long time!
Reid is done. Titus is done. Berkley may even be in trouble. How many Democrats are going to show up on election day to vote for Reid and Reid? Harry would have lost 12 years ago if Jan Jones hadn't decided to run for governor. This time there are no popular Democrat candidates, and Republicans and independents are dying to vote agsinst Reid and Company.
NOBODY IS DONE!!! WHAT IS DONE IS LAS VEGAS IN THE STATE OF NEVADA WITH CORRUPT PUBLIC SERVICES!!!
Let's break away and start a CAPITALISTIC REVOLUTION BABY!!!! I AM DYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!! PLEASE HELP MY DREAM COME TRUE!!!
Finally we are hearing from UNLV Political Science Professor Dina Titus, not from some weasel DINO who is more concerned about getting re-elected than advancing the agenda which was her platform when she is elected.
Our 5 votes for or against DINOesque Dina are still hanging in the balance.
As to Harry Reid, I've always thought he hid behind the 60% Senate Rule as a means of not doing the right thing, and voting in the way the corporate pigs who finance his campaigns want him to vote. As to Harry, it's too late to call a vote in the Senate, remove that 60% rule, and vote in meaningful healthcare reform. Our family's 5 votes will be against Senator Reid.
I just wish a true progressive Democrate would mount a symbolic protest candidacy against him in the Democratic primary, so that everyone will understand why he will lose...because he has sold out the blue collar Democrats who have voted for him year after year.
To americangirl10:
You must not have heard that the conservative members of the Supreme Court just handed the elections over to corporations and special interests.
The people lose once again.
Most of America has no more tolerance for the arrogance of government. We had 8 years of Bush-Co arrogance with Rummy, Dick and the boys.
Nancy, Harry and John (Murtha) - all made a huge mistake thinking it was THEIR turn.
Get rid of all of them.
America has become a sophisticated third-world nation...Every bit as corrupt as the Philippines or Mexico...just a little more transparent.
Off subject but if any of you want to catch the first mag-lev to Dizzyland, you'll have to board in Orlando or Tampa: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/1...
Atta boy, Harry! Thanks for delivering for the home folks with all that power you have.
Yeah.....I believe a group of Congressmen (no matter from what party) when hell freezes over about 100x's.
doubledown....I don't think we are there there yet but we are getting closer and closer.
I am not sure if either party has what it takes to get out of the corruption funk that always hangs around every government since the beginning of time.
As the government grows bigger and more powerful then it just invites more and more corruption because of the money that can be made with BIG government.
But now it seems it is getting close where there are two governments......the public one and the real totally corrupt one.
It was too good to be true. How stupid was I to think Dina had changed her mind about Harry?
I'm a registered independent. I don't like Reid nor Titus. But I would suggest to the dye in the wool Republicans not to get too smug when politicians like Gibbons and Ensign are among your ranks. What happened in Massachusetts was not a referendum against the Democrats and for the Republicans.
Also with all due respect, I wish I can turn to the comments section of the Las Vegas Sun and read some real dialogue instead of the playground name calling that goes on here. That goes for all of us.
The fact of the matter is that many of Nevada's problems are systemic. This is a state that quite frankly does not value education at the state government level. When times get tough, immediately the call is to axe education (and we always have the typical, dumb roll call of what professors make which misses the point).
Secondly, for all the talk of taxes and being a business-friendly state, exactly where IS the diversity of economy? The mining and gaming industries have a choke hold on our state. In many respects, that is the trouble with Nevada. We, us the citizens of Nevada, don't gain from all the mining in our lands plus once tourism slows, we all feel it and suffer for it. We've been monopolized by two industries in my opinion.
Not sure if this will ever change in my lifetime.
Axiom is correct, our economy is a two trick pony.
Gaming and Mining is all we got.
UtahFred suggested that Reid be put in jail.
I like his world, if someone doesn't agree with his politics, then he should be locked up. Hey I know lets lock up everybody that we disagree with.
This is a called a despotic dictatorship, or a police state. We have freedoms in this country.
I am Radical Leftist. You don't like it, Tough!
We either have freedom or we do not!
I think all you right wingers are on the wrong side of history.
You have the right to believe what you want, but you have to respect my views, or we no longer live in a free country. Now what is it going to be?
Are you going to stop your vitriol, or we going to move to a police state?
Liberals Rule, Conservatives Drool!
See two sides can play at this game.
Your side had your chance for many years, now it is the Democrats turn.
The GOP has systematically underfunded our government for decades. They have cut taxes and didn't cut spending.
Everybody knows that GOP doesn't govern in good faith. This is why the electorate has rejected the GOP in '08, and will reject in '10.
Unions are extremely weak in this country, and this is the reason that the working class has lost so much money and wealth.
They were weakened by Ronald Reagan(R) and William Clinton(D).
Working people deserve to have a fair wage, and as long as the GOP doesn't acknowledge this they will keep losing. So give workers a break.
She does have a thick accent.
So, the Sun headline reads: "Dina Titus denies Harry Reid comment, defends 'bold' language" and the RJ headline reads: "Titus apologizes to Reid for remark."
One of you guys must be lying.
If she loses her job, maybe she will figure out what it's like for 1 (or more) in 10 of the rest of us.
Well at least she sees the writing on the wall, The dems have got to pull thier stuff together if they want any chance at the polls in November. And Yes, Dirty Harry is done, Stevie Wonder can see that, why can't Harry ? Does he look like Woody Allen or what?
Watch Out! They're starting to eat their own!
Sorry Journey, I just read your comment and became guilty of plagiarism
Dina, here's the problem. you vote for stuff that Pelosi wants passed like cap and taxes. You want to appear to be an independent blue dog but you haven't shown me anything. That's why I cannot support you anymore.
Sounds like it's time for the Dems to throw Reid & Berkely under the bus (so to speak)!
To Axiom:
"The fact of the matter is that many of Nevada's problems are systemic. This is a state that quite frankly does not value education at the state government level. When times get tough, immediately the call is to axe education (and we always have the typical, dumb roll call of what professors make which misses the point)."
- No, it doesn't miss the point. When the percentage of total monies spent is as high for education as it is in NV, you invariably need to look at that when it comes time to budget. The schools here are already OVERfunded. You have been brainwashed by the talking heads of the NSEA and CCSD.
"Secondly, for all the talk of taxes and being a business-friendly state, exactly where IS the diversity of economy? The mining and gaming industries have a choke hold on our state. In many respects, that is the trouble with Nevada. We, us the citizens of Nevada, don't gain from all the mining in our lands plus once tourism slows, we all feel it and suffer for it. We've been monopolized by two industries in my opinion."
- Nevada hasn't been "business friendly" for several years. You're missing the big point though is that the fact that we were "business friendly" drew a LOT of big-spending shoppers/gamblers, etc to the state. With the changes the most recent legislature made under Buckley and Horsford, many of the few remaining people in that group have left never to return. Gaming and tourism could easily have covered the bill had it not been for the obscene collective bargaining, and obscene spending by our state government.
"Not sure if this will ever change in my lifetime."
- Then move to a bankrupt nanny state such as California. It is much more beautiful than here - and they have every type of tax you could ever dream of!
MysterMr :
I have to correct you on this part of your comment :
" We've been monopolized by two industries in my opinion." "
Firstly, Mining has EXPLOITED Nevada since our state's birth. HOWEVER, if it wasn't for the hotel/gambling industry here, we wouldn't have ANYTHING here but tumbling weeds, and ghost towns.
Did Dina drive her doublewide to Washington with her critters inside or did she have a big barbecue before she left?
Maybe Dina should run against Harry in a Democrat primary election.
I would love to see Dina tell Harry during a debate to get F------.
Wouldn't this be great..