DU Approval Ratings: Harry Reid

[Dave Sund]

I thought this would be an interesting topic: ocassionally post polls to get DU'ers' opinions on Democrats. We obviously know that all of us are going to be against just about any Republican, but what about individual Democrats? Do we think they could be doing a better job?

This is not meant to be a topic for attacks on Democrats, but rather a frank and honest discussion about fellow Democrats.

Do you approve or disapprove of the job Harry Reid is doing as Senate Minority Leader?

[mikelewis]

1. I approve of his proformance though I was hoping for more gusto...

He's not a polarizing character and actually sort of amiciable and I think this is why they chose him. He seems like a nice man and I think our government could use a few nice men right now. He's not a political Rambo but he's not a wuss either. I believe he's doing a good job, all things considered.

[Dave Sund]

3. I pretty much agree

I think he could play a bit more offense, but allowing the Republicans to just do a bunch of political damage to themselves is working so far. Soon, though, I'd like him to demonstrate that Democrats are ready to take control.

[ReadTomPaine]

2. If you get enough responses...

It would be interesting to track over a period of time, esp. for people like Reid who seems to have a very fluid number of both supporters and critics.

RTP

[LeftCoast]

4. So far I approve. I was very leery of him initially though.

I have been (for the most part) pleasantly surprised by him, though I am trying to ignore the whole bankruptcy bill thing.

[FreedomAngel82]

8. Same here

I was really disappointed in that. :( But everything else he's been fine with me. I like his speaking skills. He's not loud and obnixous like some people but still clear and firm. :)

[Laurab]

5. I approve

I like him. He seems to "speak softly and carry a big stick" at times. I've figured out that I'm never going to like every single vote on every single issue anyone makes, and the same goes for him. I do think he's doing quite well so far, I hope to hear him speaking out more and more, especially since the repukes are giving him so much to work with.

[autorank]

6. This guy's tougher than anything the Republicans have seen since

George Mitchell, who was a real hardball kind of guy.

Reid has the life experience to make him fearless (lost his dad to suicide at 6, grew up dirt poor, survived/thrived in NV politics).

He will be *'s worst headache and it's only April!

Harry Reid :yourock: as Senate Leader. You can annoy me every now and then but I'll deal with it since you just kick Republican butt whenever you can or feel like it (which seems to be daily).

[FreedomAngel82]

9. One thing that really impressed me

is how he seems so fearless of the republican play tactics and of Bush. I also remember reading he's dealt with the mafia in NV and had bomb threats and everything. So if he can deal with them I'm sure he can deal with the Bush people.

[saracat]

7. HOW CAN ANYONE APPROVE OF SOMEONE WHO VOTED FOR THE BANKRUPTCY BILL?????

And he hasn't managed to get anyone to vote as a team on virtually anything! Harry Reid is a corporate shill who is owned by the banks and credit card industry. I have lost any respect for him! I had high hopes about the SS road show and now i am disappointed. Some are going to rail at me for dissing a Dem, but anyone who voted for the Bankruptcy Bill is to quote a lawyer on the news"earning themselves a special place in hell". This is NOT a vote that can be forgiven. He chose sides and he chose the banks and the CC companies against the people, AND at the most awful time in this economy to do so! Shame on him. He is NOT doing a good job.

[Name removed]

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[saracat]

14. You obviously have a problem with people who think.

Wrong is wrong whatever your political persuasion. Or perhaps you think the bankruptcy bill is just fine? Maybe YOU don't have a problem with it? I and many others do! I am so sorry that thinking and not marching in lockstep bothers you. But hey, some have told me, it's a big tent and my opinion is as valid as any.
As for your other comments , I am pro-abortion and pro-choice, and I am very upset as are many others at the recent comments of Dr. Dean. Many are harsher on him than I. Many of us believe in the separation of Church and state and an unfettered right to choose.It isn't becoming of our Chair to be "reframing " those issues to make them less offensive to the other side! But whatever. Think what you want and I will think what I want.
I have respect for those Dems that truly support our platform. Barbara Boxer, Ted Kennedy and John Kerry come to mind.It is too bad others can't follow their example.

[hollowdweller]

17. The Bankruptcy bill was framed wrong

99% of the people I talked to pay their bills and think of it as a way to crack down to deadbeats.

I think if the Dems had been able to get the media to pick up on the bankruptcy due to medical problems and the corporations versus indivdual aspect it would have been a winner for them to oppose it.

They way it was I think the GOP could have used a vote for the bill as a way to say the Dems were for dead beats and welfare recipients rather than working americans. Sad, but the way it is until the Dems have a good media apparatus.

[susu369]

19. I agree 100% with you saracat

Reid revealed his true colors with the Bankruptcy Reform Act.

[ClarkUSA]

27. The same way people can approve of someone who voted for IWR

[saracat]

37. This is worse, and his overall record doesn't hold up. This isn't just one

vote. The rest of Kerry's record is very liberal.Not so Reid. But if Pro-Life,Pro-War , Pro- Business doesn't bother you, cheer on!

[stevedeshazer]

31. If you limit yourself to a single issue,

you'll be disappointed with politics for the rest of your life.

That said, I despise the bankruptcy bill and everything it stands for.

But I support Harry Reid.

Check his record against that of any Republican, and get back to me.

[saracat]

36. Did . He is very like. Pro-Life, Pro-Business.Pro-War

Whats not for a republican to like?

[Idioteque]

42. Unlike Lieberman, Reid voted AGAINST cloture and FOR the bill

The cloture vote is what really counted. It was the only chance of stopping the bill. After cloture, it was destined to pass. At least Reid tried to stop the bill, then he voted yes to make himself appear bipartisan. Lieberman voted to get the bill through, then he voted against it to make it look like he was right the whole time.

[Mojambo]

10. "Harry applies himself well and works hard, but his performances on tests

has been poor"

Not rallying every Democratic senator against that tragic Bankruptcy bill was a BIG failure. It will once again deny the Democrats the ability to slam the Republicans hard when the consequences are felt. How much of the blame belongs to Reid could be debatable.

I don't think he's the heavy hitter they need, but he generally won't hurt you. That doesn't sound real inspiring, and it isn't.

[eridani]

11. He'e good on procedural issues, and backing Social Security--

--but BRAGGING about that mofo Bankruptcy Bill?? Arrrrgghhh!!!

[bklyncowgirl]

13. You need a vote for "Mixed Bag"

On the whole I think he's doing a good job as minority leader.

The big exception was tha bankruptcy bill which he supported--a big disappointment for me. The Dems should have gone down swinging on that one if they ever want to convince working class people that they are on their side.

The fact that my primary emotion on that is disappointment and not outrage probably indicates how much I'd come to like the guy.

[wyldwolf]

15. There was a great interview with Reid recenty. Did you catch it?

Alan Colmes conducted it.

Harry Reid said that although Dean wasn't his first choice, he ran a great campaign the old fashioned way which was really impressive. Reid praised Dean as a moderate with high marks with the NRA,experience with balancing budgets;created compromise with the civil union law in Vermont.Reid seemed very optimistic that Dean would make a big difference.

When Colmes asked Reid about his calling Bush a liar over the Yucca Mountain situation, Reid said calmly, "I call them as I see them."
Then Colmes brought up the hit piece that was done by the RNC against Reid and his response was plain, direct and sure to infuriate the RNC. Reid claimed that Bush called him after the election and said that since he doesn't need to run again, he wanted to reach out and work with Democrats. Reid took him at his word but when the horrible piece came out,Bush did not repudiate it even though he was asked. Then Reid added that it's been an Orwellian tale.

Colmes then asked if abortion should not stay legal since Reid is pro life. Reid answered that something must be done about the unwanted pregnancies by concentrating on contraception and education.
(The Hillary position so many on DU flamed her for.)


http://www.newshounds.us/2005/02/16/harry_reid_stands_tall_for_democrats.php

But one of the best lines Reid has said is from a Tim Grieve Salon.com interview. He said Democrats have to "swallow their pride" and move toward the middle.

[Q]

16. I can't vote in this poll...

...until AFTER we see what's done about the opposition ending the filibuster.

[Hippo_Tron]

33. Haven't you heard about what he intends to do already?

Reid's said that the dems will shut down the Senate for all measures except appropriations and national security if the GOP pulls the nuclear option.

[UrbScotty]

18. I like him more and more every time he speaks. (nt)

[The Blue Knight]

20. I remember when Reid was elected.

He was bashed relentlessly on here. Funny how times change.

Is his plat-form 110% perfect to some people on DU? Obviously not. But then again, I haven't met one Democrat on here that's idealogically acceptable to some people on here.


I approve of Harry Reid's performance. Remember, he's from a red state. He's trying not to get Daschle'd.

[merbex]

21. So far, so good Senotor Reid

Keep it up

[welshTerrier2]

22. sorry .. had to disapprove

Reid is a far cry better than Daschle was ... he's tough ... he's not just going to roll over ... he's not an appeaser ... and he's not going to tolerate one-party government ...

so, what's not to like?

the problem is the Democratic Party has totally, that's right, totally, abdicated its role on foreign policy ... go check out www.democrats.org to look for the Party's insights on Iraq ... have fun searching ...

and a recent report by all sorts of top scientists, including many Nobel Prize winners, has concluded that no more money should be pumped into the failed "missile defense" program ... why? because it doesn't work and it will not work ... and Democrats? nobody home again ... they're too busy showing Americans how tough they are ...

take your poll again when Democrats, and Reid, are offering something more than just domestic issues ... maybe then I'll be able to feel good about being a Democrat ...

[Leilani]

34. That's one of the reasons I like Wes Clark

The Dem Party has no FP or Defense Policies.

The Dems will remain a minority party until their credentials on these issues equal their credibility on domestic issues.

[usregimechange]

23. I approve so far.

[Jack Rabbit]

24. Not voting up or down

If I were to asked to rate him on a scale of 1 to 10, I might give him a six or even a seven.

By comparison, I would have given the feckless Tom Daschle a three and think it generous.

[cindyw]

25. I approve. I don't really care about how he chooses to vote as an

individual senator, but the question is, how does he lead? For the most part he fights for the party values. I imagine that someone like Lieberman would use the position to find constant "bipartisanship". Meaning as leader someone like Lieberman would compromise at all times, by giving in. Reid seems to fight for the party values, no matter what his personal opinion is on something. One thing I can say for Daschle is that even though he supported the Energy bill (that is my understanding) he did not let it come up for a vote.

Our leader has to understand that when you are in the Minority, all you can do is oppose, add amendments, and filibuster. There is no compromise with these people. But you also have to choose your battles wisely.

[saracat]

26. Whoa! You don't care HOW he "chooses to vote as an individual senator"

What about"leading by example" ? How could you expect the rest of the Senators to vote for something you didn't support? Unless you don't think the Bankruptsy Bill was a big deal? There is no reflection of psrty values in the Bankruptsy Bill. The Bankruptsy Bill Is anti-Democratic and Reid supported it. How can you say he fights for our values? AndAnd as faras picking "battles wiseley" if this wasn't important, what is?

[ClarkUSA]

28. Leading by example would have been nice on Jan. 6 too

Harry Reid sat right next to Barbara Boxer unlike some Senators who were too busy to show up.

She says she likes Harry Reid alot (heard it myself on an AAR interview). Anyone who's OK with Boxer is okay with me.

[saracat]

29. Sitting next to Boxer, now that is more impressive than a vote! Please.

And Kerry is not minority leader and he couldn't have led a fight that was self serving . It was a symbolic gesture, and Kerry would have looked like an idiot. But it says a lot that Reid was there and didn't sisde with Boxer though he sat with her. And I know they only needed one Senator. Like it really would have put Reid at risk to stand with her!

[ClarkUSA]

30. Funny, it was fine with Boxer and it showed that she had his support...

I also disagree that Kerry would have looked like an idiot for standing with Boxer.

The fact that Kerry didn't lead a fight was a huge reason the media didn't cover the election fraud issue at all (this is from Keith Olbermann's own blog).

To get back on topic, Harry Reid is doing a much better job than I thought he would
when he first got the job. The man has got more guts than most Senators I could name (except for my favorite Barbara Boxer, of course).

[saracat]

32. We agree on Boxer!

[Leilani]

35. Harry Reid set up a war room as soon as he was chosen

Seems to me, that's a lot tougher than anything done previously.

And the Dems are being heard for the 1st time since Bush was selected.

Dems are winning the debate in Soc Sec, fighting against Bolton, & really hanging tough on the fillibuster. Frist doesn't have the votes for the nuclear option.

People here are into "instant gratification." Changes won't happen overnight...give the guy a break.

I'm pleased with what I've seen.

[PopSixSquish]

38. Senator Reid is a Better Minority Leader than Senator Daschle...

though it will interesting to see how the 2006 elections shape up and what happens beyond depending on the outcome.

But I really don't have the hate for Senator Daschle that others do. I think he was a bad party leader, but I cheer myself up by thinking about the absolute hissy fit Senator Trent "Helmut Hair" Lott must have thrown when he had to give up the Majority Leader's offices when Jim Jeffords went independent. I will always give the former Senate from SD his props for that one. (and Senator Reid too)

Anything or anyone who made that fool have a bad day, is alright with me.

[paineinthearse]

39. Reid showed his corporatist colors on the bankrupcy bill.

We need to replace him with a stronger leader BEFORE the filibuster filibuster.

[Dave Sund]

40. kick

:kick:

[Gothmog]

41. I have been pleased with Harry Reid so far

I think that he is doing a great job.