Harry Reid on TV tonight

[whometense]

The Carpetbagger has the news that Sen. Harry Reid

will take his communications strategy to a new level. Reid's office just sent out an alert explaining that Reid will discuss the Dem position tonight in a nationally televised address.

- snip -

I didn't see this one coming. When was the last time a Senate Minority Leader delivered an address to the country like this?

It's scheduled to be a 90-second speech broadcast on CNN at 9pm (Eastern), and on Fox News at 7:50pm (Eastern). Of course, the real advantage of this kind of ahead-of-the-curve tactic is that it's likely to be aired repeatedly as part of the news cycle.

Don't miss it!

[Roland99]

1. Whoa!

Awesome news!

[MasonJar]

2. 90 seconds is not a speech.

[merwin]

3. It's a short speech, but probably the most time that a dem has gotten

on FAUX in years.

[damntexdem]

4. How did he get that much?

Will they now give Dubya or Frist 90 minutes?

[Avalux]

5. That's OK -

the people he's talking to can't handle more than 90 seconds. Remember the audience. Good Luck Harry!

[whometense]

7. Spread the word!!

You're right, 90 seconds isn't much, but it could make for a hell of a soundbite on the news shows tonight.

We should make sure everyone knows - blog it, tell your friends, whatever.

[progressoid]

29. No kidding

90 seconds will require some serious concetration for a lot of viewers.

[Rainscents]

6. Harry only needs that much time to make his point across.

[KittyWampus]

18. The Stormin' Mormon!

:thumbsup:

[DeepModem Mom]

27. LOL! Go, Reid! NT

[AnneD]

8. Return of the Jedi

Frist gets trumped. I think the DEMS may not have the votes they need so they are going to preemptively explain why they will do what they will do in reguards to the nuclear option. I think he will try to explain how he has tried to work with Frist (remember the dinner meeting). Remember, Frist is Majority Leader, but he is new to Congress.....Harry has more time in the system if I am not mistaken. I think he is playing Frist like a Stradivarias. Nice set of cajones Harry Reid. I hope all the Dems back him like lock step GOP. He is laying it out there folks....:woohoo: :woohoo: :applause: :applause: :patriot:

[MADem]

26. I have to think that Trent Lott is probably having a whiskey

smoking a stogie, and laughing his ass off!!! He's gotta be warmed, watching the Fristooge taking heat.

[wallwriter]

9. Unlike a Shrub speech, I actually really want to watch.

[jayfish]

10. Any Bets On...

how long it will take the Pugs to announce their own speech. Side bet says they will ask for it to be aired before Reed and get their wish(from Faux at least).

Jay

[geckosfeet]

11. Hope the conservative press airs it out and repeats it in endless loop.

I think Reid may have delayed announcing this to prevent not only Rupuglican response but to keep BushCo from putting pressure on their media cronies.

[AnneD]

13. I agree

I think he postponed it as late as he could for news hour purposes. I think that (not knowing what he'll say) the GOP got caught with their pants down. Reid may have left them with their dicks in their hand.

[Straight Shooter]

12. 90 lousy seconds? The minority party can't even get three minutes?

I hope he mentions (in a polite manner) that that's all the time he was granted, if that's the case.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

14. America wants Sound Bites! Short Attention Span Demands it.

[Straight Shooter]

17. You are so right. *sigh*

Maybe he can sing a jingle with a catchy tune ... make sure it rhymes, so it's easier for Murikans to remember.

[Logician]

15. Reid should simplify, simplify!

He needs to convey to all Americans why they need to care about dismantling the filibuster, that laws should not be changed to be politically expedient.

He needs to:

1. Convey the importance of the filibuster for the minority party, regardless of party affiliation

2. Note that Frist and others used the filibuster in the past when it was politically advantageous

3. Convey that the Dems have approved the overwhelming proportion of all of Shrub's judicial nominees-- that we are talking of a handful of extremists being kept from harming our nation's social and political progress

4. Convey that the Repugs demand nothing less than absolute control and rubber-stamping of their nominees and proposed policies.

Yikes! How can he do all of this in 90 seconds!

[XemaSab]

16. Looks like you just did it

pretty well.

:-)

[0007]

19. Give em hell Harry!

n/t

[angryxyouth]

20. THIS IS ONLY A TEST

LETS SEE HOW MANY FOX AFFILIATES GO TO BARS AT 7:50 OR HAVE OTHER TECH. PROBLEMS.

[deadparrot]

21. I'll be watching. nt

[Catt03]

22. It is an ad...

Reid has bought a 90-second ad this evening to present the Democratic position to the American people. It will air tonight as follows:

WRC (DC) 7:58 P.M.
WJLA (DC) 7:57 P.M.
WTTG (C) 7:57 P.M.
CNN 8:00 P.M.
CNNHN 8:00 P.M.
FoxNews 7:50-7:55 P.M.

Part of his message in the ad:
Unfortunately, some Senate Republicans are trying to give President Bush power no president has ever had -- the ability to personally hand out lifetime jobs to judges -- including the Supreme Court, without consensus from the other party. This abuse of power is not what our founders intended. It's wrong for one political party -- be it Republicans today or Democrats tomorrow -- to have total control over who sits on our high courts and rules on our most basic rights.

www.dailykos.com

[Cocoa]

23. Reid uses the magic word

Bush. The whores are pretending this is about Congress bickering, but in fact their beloved Bush is attempting a monumental power grab.

And I think people are receptive to hearing that these days, based on the polls...

[goclark]

25. Go Reid!!

Just heard him say BUSH and CHENEY111

He ame out swinging.
Get the video --it should be powerful!

[Rainscents]

24. Can someone PLEASE tape it and put on DU??? I don't have cable,

so, I can't watch it.

[lovuian]

28. Reid was all smiles and Boxer!!! It was a win for the country!!!

He talks about how this is the MOST IMPORTANT compromise in this century of the Senate... and he had sleepless nights!!!