Harry Reid, “Master of the Rules,” Seizes the Day

[kerrygoddess]

Harry Reid, “Master of the Rules,” Seizes the Day
November 1st, 2005

You’ve got to give Harry Reid credit. He often seems so mild-mannered but there was nothing mild-mannered in his shut down of the Senate today. While the MSM is often slack on the job, this headline from MSNBC is priceless - “Harry Reid sparks a dramatic Senate standoff, On quiet Indian summer afternoon, Democrats spring an Iraq-Libby surprise.”

Reid blindsided the Republicans, they didn’t see it coming and they deserved what they got.

The indictment of Vice President Dick Cheney’s aide Lewis Libby last week offered Democrats a chance to put Iraq intelligence back on the agenda. Reid did so in spectacular fashion.

MORE & LINKS - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=1023

[OzarkDem]

1. He did a great job, he's the man of the hour

but I still wish he had done it sooner.

[DainBramaged]

2. Maybe he listened to the Big Dog from a couple of weeks ago

"If you don't want to fight for the future and you can't figure out how to beat these people then find something else to do." I proudly quote.

[Awsi Dooger]

3. Reid is incredibly detail minded

He frustrated the heck out of John McCain a few years ago. McCain was on an anti gambling kick and was determined to pass a bill banning betting on college sports in Nevada, something that would do incredible harm to the sportsbooks.

McCain tried time and again to attach his bill to anything and everything, no matter how unrelated, but Reid, as minority whip, always found a clever way to thwart it. There were even a couple of reported instances in which McCain intentionally waited for very obscure bills to come to a vote early in the evening and attach his legislation, sure Reid would be gone, but when he tried Harry Reid would emerge from the darkness of the back row and object.

[LynneSin]

4. You think this is good - watch what he has up his sleeves if repukes....

..go for the Nuclear Option.


There is a rule that allows you to introduce bills directly to the floor bypassing the committee. Like the Closed Session, it's rarely used except for extreme measures (like Japan bombing Pearl Harbor - stuff like that).

Reid mentioned once that if they lose the filibuster he'll fill the floor with bills to help slow down the judicial process. But the bills will be clearcut issues about stuff that most working class folks like us care about: Education, Choice. Healthcare, etc.

He forces the vote and then every republican senator will be on record as to how they really feel about the issues. And because these bills will be clearly written - they'll be great campaign material for 2006

[OzarkDem]

5. Let's hope he uses it

Minimum wage increase, universal health care would be good for starters.

[Tatiana]

6. Harry keeps boosting that "street cred."

November 19, 2003

Nine-hour filibuster gives Sen. Harry Reid street cred
By Geoff Earle

Senate Minority Whip Harry Reid’s Democratic colleagues agree that his nine-hour filibuster last week has bolstered his reputation and solidified his position as heir apparent to Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.).

<snip>

“TV presence is in the eye of the beholder,” said former Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.). “Sometimes, people don’t want the smooth, erudite, articulate speaker . They want a guy that’s just kind of comfortable in his skin, and folksy. I think Harry comes off as soothing in some respects.”

Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), who works closely with Reid on Nevada issues, said: “All along, he’s solidified his position just the last few years. If you’re a Democrat, you have to look at the job Reid’s done. He’s been an asset. He lives on the floor. He’s an expert on parliamentary procedure.”

http://www.hillnews.com/news/111903/reid.aspx