Lesson in Politics: Reid calls president 'loser'

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/May-06-Fri-2005/news/reid.html

In the course of a discussion on filibusters and Senate rules, Washington's top Democrat gave the 60 juniors a lesson in partisan politics, particularly about the commander in chief. "The man's father is a wonderful human being," Reid said in response to a question about President Bush's policies. "I think this guy is a loser.

"I think President Bush is doing a bad job," he added to a handful of chuckles.

"He's driving this country into bankruptcy," Reid said, referring to the deficit. "He's got us in this intractable war in Iraq where we now have about 1,600 American soldiers dead and another 15,000 injured."

Republican National Communications Director Brian Jones issued a statement calling the senator's comments "a sad development but not surprising from the leader of a party devoid of optimism, ideas or solutions to the issues people care about most."

At end of article it mentions Reid called Rove to apologize. Damn!

[democracyindanger]

1. Damn that spineless Reid.

[roughandtumble]

11. maybe called upon Rove to apologize for the general abortion

that has been the chimpy cluster fuck.

[Teaser]

13. Spineless, you're joking?

Dude has more spine than most on this board.

[democracyindanger]

16. Absolutely

I just don't like using smilies.

[JerseygirlCT]

21. Nah, the apology doesn't matter a damn

no one will remember the apology. "Loser" will stick, though. And if called on it, he can say he apologized, which, btw is more than Cheney did when he spewed obscenities at Leahy on the Senate floor...

[democracyindanger]

22. Ding ding ding!

I was going to post in the thread about his "apology," but decided against trying to speak reason to the gloom-and-doom crowd. Screw it if they don't know a good thing when they see it.

[barb162]

49. yes, when do the pugs EVER apologize?

[JerseygirlCT]

57. They don't. The most you might get is

I'm sorry you're so wrong...

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. I thought Reid was being polite

there's a lot more words I'd use to describe Bush....

[punpirate]

3. His first mistake is in believing...

... even one Bush to be a "wonderful human being." *sigh*

Hasn't anyone figured out that the younger Bush is also a product of his upbringing? He's just publicly acting out a great many of the things said around the Bush dinner table for decades.

The quote from Neil Bush's ex is still appropriate: "They're not a family--they're a political organization."

[NorCalDem]

4. Get this....

"not surprising from the leader of a party devoid of optimism, ideas or solutions to the issues people care about most." And what issues would that be Mr. Jones? Gay marriage, the spread of christianity. I don't know, but I tend to care more about my ECONOMY, the WAR, and the gradual decline of OUR CIVIL RIGHTS. But I guess I'm outta touch with "reality." :)

[ooglymoogly]

5. a spade is a spade after all

lets just all pretend this jerk is brilliant...that the war was a good move....that privatization by some convoluted logic helps ss....that huge tax cuts for the rich helped the economy...that playing poker with the Constitution is just swell....lets all just pretend like the media is doing....and say goodby to common sense and our democracy...fat fkn chance...good for reid...starting to sound like harry truman

[randr]

6. Democratic Solutions

Over the course of my political life, spanning 50 years, the Democratic Party is the only party to have led with optimism, taken progressive ideas and found solutions that have benefited all life on this planet.
In a few short years the Republicans have dismantled or corrupted those working solutions that people care about most!

[Spinzonner]

7. Well, it is true, the Republicans are a party of ideas

Almost uniformly BAD.

[William Seger]

32. Yeah, well...

When your agenda is all about what you want to undo, it's easy to find lots of "ideas."

Not satisfied with trying to undo the 20th century, conservatives now seem to have their sights set on undoing the Enlightenment. Whole lotta "ideas" there, huh...

[EVDebs]

8. RedInkRepublicans and CreditCardCongress and reformed alcoholic at helm

of the ship.

[Desperadoe]

17. reformed alcoholic at helm

There is no such thing as a "reformed alcoholic". An alcoholic is an alcoholic and will be until he/she dies. George Bush is an alcoholic who doesn't have a program.

An alcoholic is is just an arm's length away from their next drink and that is exactly how far you can trust them.

[Worst Username Ever]

9. So, they trash everthing, and then WE are supposed to be optimists?

How the fuck does that work? they get to trash the entire country, our reputation, our future, out surplus, out economy, and then WE are the bad guys for not being optimistic? FUCK YOU YOU BUTTPLUGNICAN SHITS.

[Disturbed]

10. What is so freakin' wonderful about..

Poppy Bush?

[snippy]

12. Reid should not have said this. Bush is a liar, not a loser.

In his entire life Bush has rarely lost at anything he has had arranged for him.

[CatWoman]

14. THAT is just what makes him a loser

In his entire life Bush has rarely lost at anything he has had arranged for him.

Real WINNERS don't have to rig the contest in order to come out on top. They do it thru talent, persistence and guts.

[snippy]

15. True. n/t

[ninkasi]

18. You are so right, CatWoman...

and he is completely devoid of any of those three qualities...talent, persistence, and guts. Some might argue about whether he is persistent, but in my opinion, he is just too intent on having his way to ever give in. As far as guts? Getting a cushy position in the TANG, then walking away from that doesn't take guts, it takes arrogance.

He likes to pretend to be a tough guy, but he hides behind the ones who do the actual fighting. He is a phony and a coward, and not fit to do anything that calls for intelligence or integrity.

[CatWoman]

52. I think that's the source of his lack of development, in a nutshell

he never, ever assumes responsibility. for anything.

he has never had to.

damn shame this man is damn near 60, yet mentally he is more like a 6 year old.

his parents surely failed him by "fixing" everything for him. now we are paying for it.

[jazzjunkysue]

19. devoid of optimism, ideas or solutions a.k.a. the Gurley-Men Defense.

Remember that during the campaign? The scardy-cat negative democrat pessimists?

With all the wonderful news coming out of Iraq, how could anyone be so pessimistic?

[Rose Siding]

20. Reid called Rove to apologize

snip>
Shortly after the event Reid called the White House to apologize, his spokeswoman Tessa Hafen said. Reid spoke with Bush adviser Karl Rove, asking him to convey the apology to Bush, who was traveling in Europe.

The Nevada Democrat expressed "regret for the comments, that it was inappropriate," Hafen said. Reid was giving a late speech in Salt Lake City and was unavailable for comment, she said.

Asked for comment, a White House spokeswoman referred to a statement issued by the Republican National Committee. RNC spokesman Brian Jones called Reid's statement "a sad development but not surprising from the leader of a party devoid of optimism, ideas or solutions to the issues people care about most."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/06/AR2005050601368.html

[yorgatron]

23. he called Rover and said

"i'm sorry your 'boss' is such a loser" and then hung up without saying who it was... :evilgrin:

[checks-n-balances]

34. "i'm sorry your 'boss' is such a loser" - I'm Laughing Out Loud from that!

Thanks for making my evening!

[trapper914]

24. Where was Dan Burton's apology?

I seem to remember "scumbag" escaping his lips during the impeachment of Clinton.

[roseBudd]

25. Loser version 2.0: the music video, help spread it.

http://bushcheated04.com/loser.html

In the time of chimpanzees Bush was a monkey,
Butane in Rove’s veins as he ran the junkie.
Newscasters lying while we tube feed the vegetables,
Dog food dinners for the grannies stealin’ Tylenol.
Kill all your brain cells and put it in neutral,
Iraq is flamin’ with the loser and the cruise control.
Babies in Gitmo is how Rummy plays D,
Gamble with democracy, try to kill diplomacy.

Someone came sayin’ I’m insane to complain
About a looted treasury and a stain on my country.
Can’t believe what they want us to breathe,
You get a lungful of mercury and a moron in the lead.

So you change some votes with a few keystrokes
Doin’ cages in Florida, and lines in Ohio.

George says he’s emperor
But he’s a cheater baby
He stole the election (fascism meltdown)
George says he’s emperor
But he’s a loser baby
So why not impeach him.

Forces of evil in a bozo nightmare,
Playing all the rubes with a phony echo chamber.
One is a weasel as the others sport the flag;
A mother alone gets her son back in a bag

With the rerun wars from Mr. Cocaine nose job,
The devious bullshit of a race war flip flop
A GI hung himself with a guitar string;
A slab of cannon fodder and he’s hanging so he doesn’t sing.

I can’t write if you can’t relate,
Trade the cash for a gay bash for the body for the hate.
And this time it’s a piece of crack
We’ve fallen for the bad times, we’re choking on the nightmares.


George says he’s emperor
But he’s a cheater baby
He stole the election (fascism meltdown)
George says he’s emperor
But he’s a loser baby
So why not impeach him.


“If this were a dictatorship it’d be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I’m the dictator.”


George says he’s emperor
But he’s a cheater baby
He stole the election. (I can’t believe this)
George says he’s emperor
But he’s a loser baby
So why not impeach him.

George says he’s emperor
We’re all losing baby
So we’ve got to change it (Sprechen sie Deuthsche baby?).
George says he’s emperor
We’re all losing baby
So we’ve got to change it. (Or there’ll be nothin’ to be sayin’).

George says he’s emperor
We’re all losing baby
So we’ve got to change it. (I can’t believe this)
George says he’s emperor
We’re all losing baby
So we’ve got to change it.

[Dogmudgeon]

26. Extry! Extry!

Bush is a Loser!

Oops. I didn't mean it. I'm sorry.

--p!

[Daphne08]

27. At this point, I think Reid is simply saying

what many Americans are beginning to believe.

Frankly, I don't think there's anything wrong in what he said.

I'm old and remember the day when criticizing the President openly was not forbidden (that is, of course, after things changed in '69... after the Smothers Brothers Show finally demonstrated to the American public that the government had gone too far).

Events and political movements are like the pendulum of a clock. We've been through this crap time and time again.

[dArKeR]

28. I know why aWol got the votes he did. Not counting the cheating. It's

hatred and anger in America. I have been rolling this around in my head for sometime. But I think it's true. The repukes are drawing in all Americans who have hatred and anger. aWol represents "Destruction" and in some twisted deep (Freud, Jung and Adler) psychotic way these people think aWol and the repukes will destroy their inner torment.

For such a rich nation with everything one could desire, I see an awful lot of people who look unhappy. Let's start with overweight. I'd say 97% of Americans are overweight. I guess about 35% are obese. I see about 50% of men and women with thinning hair. I hear about 30% using very foul language. I see about 20% with physical pain. I think there are about 50% over their heads in debt. I think 70% of caucasian are still very prejudice against dark skinned races. Then add the "road rage" percentage of people who hate something. Then add the Rambo people who just want to beat to death anything.

The Democrats have all the educated, happy and normal people voting for them.

[Vogon_Glory]

29. I Think I Like This Guy. He Fights

After reading what Senator Reid said about George UU Bush, I think I'm coming to like and respect him--even with the subsequent apology to Rove. Senator Reid fights, and that's something I've sorely missed from the Democratic leadership since the Banana Republicans took over the Senate.

I might be a bit to the right of most DU readers, but I was very unhappy with the sort of leadership we got from people like Terry McAuliffe and Senator Daschle. When we needed fighters and orators, what we got instead was milquetoast. Now we've got Dean and it looks like we've got a Senate minority leader who is willing to kick tails and fight.

[DrZeeLit]

30. Here's who Reid needs to apologize to: US, the voters... for even

considering dialing Rove's number.

What? A U.S. Senator has to cowtow to ... Karl Rove?
And who made him King?

Shit.

I call for Reid to step down from his perch as minority leader.
What a crock of shit.

He's in the right, so why should he back down?
Like the liars in the Swiftboat episode ever backed down?
Or like the crap Delay and Frist spew? They apologize at all?

This frosts my cookies!

[checks-n-balances]

35. Even Dick Gephart called Bush "A Miserable Failure" & never apologized

I don't know why ANYbody should have to apologize to Rove for ANY reason.

[paulk]

56. think about what Reid said -

He called Rove and apologized.

Karl Rove, an unelected functionary who is, in reality more the President than Bush is.

It's a pretty subtle jab.

And the "Loser" meme will stick.

[Strawman]

31. I'm glad he apologized to losers at least

That's who he apologized to, right? As a loser, I was offended by Reid's comparison.

[lovuian]

33. Bush is a Loser and Reid is right!!! I wouldn't apologize

but hey Reid said the truth why apologize for the Truth!!!

[deacon2]

36. A classic Senatorial "apology"

"I'm sorry to have called my esteemed colleague a miserable, rotten, no good, lying son of a bitch. I really am."

Beautiful maneuver... and who do you think really contacted the press first to tell all about it? No need for anger over this "apology" kiddos. It was the equivalent of Reid whipping it out and pissing on the president's shoes in public. I'm liking our lead Senator more every day.

[NVMojo]

37. DEL SOL HIGH SCHOOL APPEARANCE: Reid calls Bush 'a loser'

This is a more in-depth version of the "Bush is a loser" story that has been posted in the initial short version that came out on the wire via this paper late Friday night.

Senator Reid! NEVER apologize for telling the truth!!!

BE SURE TO READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE!! BURIED INSIDE ARE A FEW GOOD ONES.

May 7, 2005

Sen. Harry Reid went to Del Sol High School on Friday to teach students "Checks and Balances 101."

But in the course of a discussion on filibusters and Senate rules, Washington's top Democrat ended up giving the 60 juniors a good lesson in partisan politics, particularly about the commander in chief.

"The man's father is a wonderful human being," Reid said in response to a question about President Bush's policies. "I think this guy is a loser. I think President Bush is doing a bad job," he added to a handful of chuckles.

The "loser" comment drew a quick response from the GOP.

snip...

Reid apparently felt pretty sure Friday of the Democrats' footing on the filibuster issue.

Although Democrats only have 45 members in the Senate, Reid said he feels confident Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., doesn't have the support needed to overturn the filibuster rules.

more...

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/May-07-Sat-2005/news/26464350.html

[saigon68]

38. At least he didn't call him a "CHIMPANZEE"

Far more accurate but less diplomatic.

[Judi Lynn]

39. How refreshing to read he's speaking this way publically

I was afraid, having not taken the time to find out about Reid, that he might be way too conservative. This is tremendous.

[undeterred]

40. you go, Harry!

"I think President Bush is doing a bad job," he added to a handful of chuckles..."He's driving this country into bankruptcy," Reid said, referring to the deficit..."He's got us in this intractable war in Iraq where we now have about 1,600 American soldiers dead and another 15,000 injured."...Reid also disputed the planning for the war, saying soldiers lacked "proper equipment and body armor..."I think he's a bad president," Reid added.

One student asked him what Democrats would do if Republicans invoke the "nuclear option," under which Republicans would change the rules with a simple majority vote so that a filibuster could be ended with 51 votes instead of 60. "We won't shut down the government, but President Bush will rue the day he let this happen," Reid said. A moment later he added: "President Bush will get nothing done that he wants."

[Daphne08]

41. Perhaps a high school classroom

wasn't the wisest choice as to place, but...

Most thinking Americans know that the substance of his words ring true.

Senator Reid is probably as frustrated as we are, and it just slipped.

[Massacure]

42. Hehe, I love Reid.

"We won't shut down the government, but President Bush will rue the day he let this happen," Reid said.

A moment later he added: "President Bush will get nothing done that he wants."

Why shut down the Senate when you can flood it with legislation to protect the middle class? And why not take a little time to prevent Bush's legislation by forcing the senate to read it instead of voting on just a basic summary by their advisors? :D

[Demit]

43. Reid is showing the next generation of voters how it should be done--

'...Rodney Lee, one of the two team teachers of the American Studies class, said he was pleased students got to see a politician in an open and frank discussion.

"It wasn't mealy-mouthed like we see with so many politicians," Lee said. "He didn't try to walk down the middle of the road." ... '

[NNN0LHI]

44. Reid called Rove at the WH to apologize soon thereafter

http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=3312554

Reid calls Bush 'a loser,' calls White House to apologize

LAS VEGAS Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid called President Bush "a loser" during a civics discussion with a group of teenagers at a Las Vegas high school.

When asked about the president's policies, the Nevada Democrat told students at Del Sol High School -- quote -- "The man's father is a wonderful human being. I think this guy is a loser."

Shortly after the event Reid called the White House to apologize. His spokeswoman says Reid spoke with Bush adviser Karl Rove, asking him to convey the apology to Bush, who was traveling in Europe.

The spokeswoman said Reid expressed regret for the comment, calling it inappropriate.

[ElectroPrincess]

45. Unfortunately Reid is *more* of a loser than Bush for backing down

Once you say something - own up to it. The Republicans NEVER compromise and NEVER back down.

We need to vote out our pink Tu-Tu Democratic Representatives and get some "true believers" in representing their constituency. We need some real scrappers.

As much as I deplore the distorted and morally bankrupt philosophies of the Neo-Cons and Right Wing Republicans, I can't help but admire their seemingly UNENDING persistence and aggressive nature while pursuing an issue.

Moral of the story: Either our Democratic Representatives serve "the people" OR they serve the Bush Junta. There's NO in-between ... no compromise.

Now Reid's got his head so far up Roves ass ... well, I hope he likes the view. LOSER!

[confludemocrat]

53. "Jury is instructed to disregard the statement". They never disregard it

Who cares if he apologized, the point was made, we all know it's true--the fucker's a loser.

[Puglover]

46. Giggling murderous loser

might have been abit more on spot.

[earthside]

47. APOLOGIZE???!!!

This is what I don't understand.

"Loser" is now an outrageous word to use describing Bush? It's such a bad word the Reid feels compelled to apologize?

No one should give Reid any credit for calling Bush a "loser" if he then apologizes ... Indeed, it has the opposite effect, making Bush look like he's off limits for criticism even from the official opposition.

If Democrats in the Senate and House leadership don't start calling the radical Republicans and Bush "losers" in every other sentence, and using the word "radical" everytime they use the word Republican ... then there is little hope ever pushing thses thugs out of power.

[Iowa]

55. I agree...

Earthside has it right. The loser comment was good and weakened Bush. The apology (especially when delivered to Rove) was the epitome of wimpdom and ultimately strengthened Bush. It must be viewed from the perspective of wavering voters, and they will see Bush as the victim of an "inappropriate" insult by a frustrated, weak, Dem leader. The apology was a disaster. It was a true "Daschle" moment - and Reid is not Truman.

Our side shouldn't be stuck with all the wimps, so I have taken the liberty to call my old friend Bob. Let's all give Bob a warm welcome:

OK everbody, on the count of three..... "Hi Bob!!"



Bob will be sending Reid a lifetime supply of Enzyte, the Once-A-Day Tablet For Natural Male Enhancement - GW's secret weapon. Now at least there will be a level playing field. Expect things to improve for our team.

[athenap]

58. The apology took their thunder...

I think it was a good move by Reid. Every time someone says something that's not 100% glowy ass-kissing, the rethugs start screaming about "partisan attacks" and "that damn librul media" and the "libruls attacking our precious ." Reid got the message out. Then, before they could start screaming that Reid has a vendetta or something else to paint him as a demon to their wingnut base (a la the judges), Reid apologizes and shows the Vast Middle who can be counted on to be reasonably sane that he knows how to say he's sorry. But the "loser" comment is out there, and so is the apology, so when they start yelling about how he's got a vendetta, people will remember a-what he said, b-that he apologized and c-every time the rethugs bring it up, they look like they're overreacting.

[barb162]

48. why apologize? WHY?

Ever see a pug apologize for telling the truth, which they never do anyway?

[bling bling]

50. Loser is not an effective word, IMO.

People will ignore that with a shrug and an eye-roll because Bush has won two elections and has a Republican controlled house, senate, supreme court.

Reid needs to use powerful and more effective words when referring to Bush like: scandalous, devious, dangerous, extremist, heartless, canniving, etc.

[AspenRose]

51. I can think of another word that starts with L he could have used...

LIAR

[cliss]

54. Bush is a loser who is surrounded by

a cadre of public relations people. They are the specialists who "put lipstick on a pig". Just imagine how hard they must work. The challenges they face, each and every day to make this Low-brow, Neanderthal look smart.

Every time The Clown opens his mouth, they get butterflies in their stomach.

When "Einstein" falls and gets rug burns on his cheeks, they have to manufacture a new story about "pretzels" or a new "bike accident".

Cheney winces, wishes he could wrap his fingers around Bush's neck. Rove scurries and tries to manufacture some new "crisis", or drags out M. Jackson for another hearing.

There is justice after all.

[Doctor_J]

59. And then * goes to Russia and proves it

by blaming the cold war on FDR.