Nevada's Reid tells Bush to tread lightly

[Rose Siding]

Sen. Harry Reid, the leading candidate for Senate minority leader, plans to oppose vigorously President Bush's second-term agenda, especially on such issues as tort reform and Social Security partial privatization.

"There's not going to be a lay-down," Mr. Reid said of congressional Democrats. "The president knows that he's not going to get anything done unless he works with us."
........
"For someone who wants to privatize Social Security, they're going to have to look for somebody to go to bed with other than me. I'm not going to do that," he said. "Privatizing Social Security will destroy Social Security as we know it."

The Democrat was equally uninterested in the sort of sweeping tort reform provided by the president, who spent much of the campaign lamenting that trial lawyers and excessive lawsuits are driving good doctors out of business.

"As far as tort reform, I know this may not be politically correct, but I believe that people who are injured deserve some of being made whole," Mr. Reid said.

"Hospitals and doctors killed about 100,000 Americans last year," he added. "Should we just shovel that under the rug?"
............
"I'm the face of the Democratic Party today," he declared. "I'm not too sure that we need a show horse at this stage. I think maybe a work horse may be what the country needs."

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20041109-120714-3108r.htm

[russian33]

1. I hope he delivers on his promises

[autorank]

2. More backbone than the last four years of Daschle.

Corporate America controls the media and we get manufactured news.
Corporate America now controls the voting machines and we get manufactured elections.

http://www.blackboxvoting.org/

[pleiku52cab]

6. "we will cooperate with those that support our views"

works both ways - stick it to him Reid

[underpants]

3. Sounds good

We'll see

[pinerow]

4. Let's hope action follows the tough talk...

nt

[rocktivity]

5. Steady, big fellow!

"I'm the face of the Democratic Party today," he declared. "I'm not too sure that we need a show horse at this stage. I think maybe a work horse may be what the country needs."

And it looks like the Dem establishment is in for a bumpy ride!

:loveya:
rocknation

[demnan]

7. We'll see

I think he is talking to the Base now, but actions speak louder than words regarding the pink tutu issue.

[booksenkatz]

8. I like the talk, now let's see the walk.

In the past, we've had plenty of Dem leaders who said all the right things, but when it was time to stand up and fight, they rolled over and wet themselves. I'm willing to give Reid a chance, but only a small one, because America's time is running out. And I'm getting older and more jaded and more bitter, every minute of every day.

[calico1]

9. I hope he is as tough as he sounds.

I am tired of Democrats in Congress rolling over for the Republicans and getting screwed every time. They play tough, they don't compromise. We need to do the same to them.

[meow2u3]

13. Harry Reid was a boxer as a young man

He could literally punch someone to death if he had to. This alone should tell you something....

[nickinSTL]

10. Well, that's a good start

I don't know much about Reid, I hope that this statement is an accurate indicator of what we can expect.

[9119495]

11. Reid, you magnificent bastard!

Could he influence elections out West? Could he pull some people our way out there?

[Florida_Geek]

12. Hope you do not fly in small planes

:(

[aden_nak]

14. Oh, maybe SOMEONE learned something?

Specificly, that lying down will beget nothing but more lying down?

[The Backlash Cometh]

15. We all know how this is going to go.

The Dem congressmen & women will stand strong, especially the minority group members; and when the gridlock becomes obvious or when the win looks likely, Ted Kennedy will have dinner with Bush and the senator will make concessions to the Republicans in return for favors for the Massachusetts residents.

Mass, I luv ya for all you've done for us, but this is a quiet reality for the rest of us.

[NVMojo]

16. Well, damn....I'm impressed and humbled!!

He came out fighting with six year ahead of him now....

[Caution]

17. Now if only Reid weren't anti-choice

[ConcernedNonpartisan]

18. He has served Nevada well.

Harry Reid has been our senator (I'm a Nevadan) for many years despite the fact that Nevada usually goes Republican. He has served us well. For more info http://reid.senate.gov/.

[havocmom]

24. Hey there, ConcernedNonpartisan, welcome to the DU!

Good to hear from you. :hi: Looking forward to more views and observations from Nevada from you.

The west needs to work on electing more Dems who don't have round heels.;) We should be able to find some stubborn liberals around to run in the coming years.

[ConcernedNonpartisan]

27. Thanks for the welcome

:toast: Cheers!

[Khephra]

19. Compared to the Pelosi radio speech

This is how I'd rather hear the Democrats speak.

[Laelth]

20. Please, Please ...

No minority leader from a red state. We can't have another leader who's worried about defeat all the time and will cave to the R's agenda. I don't care, really, who it is. Just not somebody from a red state!

Please, Dem. leadership, listen!

-Laelth

[ConcernedNonpartisan]

26. Nevada is slowly turning blue.

At the state level, the Dems have made major inroads into "taking over the state".

I don't think you have to worry about Harry. The man stands tall, walks straight and speaks his mind.

[Laelth]

29. Thanks, ConcernedNonpartisan.

And welcome to DU!

:hi:

-Laelth

[SoCalDem]

21. Ooooh, I betcha * is quaking in piss-filled boots

Harry Reid is one scarey dude :eyes:

reminds me of Mr Whipple.. who wants a squeeze?

[TahitiNut]

22. "Nevada's Reid tells Bush to walk all over him - quietly"

:shrug:

[ellie]

23. Meanwhile,

back at super-secret headquarters, new Anthrax mailings are being readied to keep uppity senators, such as Reid and Spector, in line.

[zara]

25. A Man with Cojones...

unlike the Bush-hugger (funny, would have expected more toughness from an ex fighter pilot)

[Dr Fate]

28. Like many Dems, he's a good talker at this point.

Keep on talking-call me back when ya start doing...