My letter to Sen. Clinton Re: Harry Reid

[tk2kewl]

Dear Senator Clinton:

I think Harry Reid is a pathetic choice to lead our delegation. The Democrats have no business suggesting that Scalia is a candidate worthy of Chief Justice.

The Democratic position should plainly be that based on a national electorate that was virtually evenly split, the Chief Justice should be a new moderate appointee (I, frankly, would like to see a progressive).

I know full well that Bush will not point a moderate; however, calling for a moderate appointment in advance would strengthen the position of Senate Democrats during confirmation hearings. To express any level of approval for Scalia as Chief Justice before a nomination is even made is absurd, undermines the Democratic delegation and discourages Progressives across the country.

[Radical Activist]

1. When did Reid do that?

News to me.

[JohnKleeb]

2. I think it was in an interview yesterday

he did say he would oppose making Thomas the chief justice though. Either way I see it, Bush will likely get a conservative picked for chief justice, thats not the dems fault really, the republicans have a 9 seat edge on us.

[Radical Activist]

3. No one seems to have an exact quote

The threads reactive threads I'm reading seem a little more exaggerated than the descriptions of what he said. It doesn't sound like he said he wants Scalia or anything. I like to know all the facts before I start bitching about something.

[wyldwolf]

4. here

the Nevada Democrat said that he could support Thomas' fellow conservative, Justice Antonin Scalia, if he were nominated.

"I cannot dispute the fact, as I have said, that this is one smart guy," Reid said of Scalia. "And I disagree with many of the results that he arrives at, but his reasons for arriving at those results are very hard to dispute."

http://cnn.allpolitics.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=CNN.com+-+Dems%27+new+Senate+leader+criticizes+Justice+Thomas+-+Dec+5%2C+2004&expire=-1&urlID=12492996&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2004%2FALLPOLITICS%2F12%2F05%2Fjudges.reid.frist%2Findex.html&partnerID=2001

[Radical Activist]

5. Still no direct qoute there of support

He is only directly quoted as saying some good AND bad things about Scalia. I would like to know exactly what he said.

[pmbryant]

7. Reid on Scalia: "If he can overcome the ethics problems..."

The question is from Tim Russert:

Could you support Antonin Scalia to be chief justice of the Supreme Court?

SEN. REID: If he can overcome the ethics problems that have arisen since he was selected as a justice of the Supreme Court. And those ethics problems--you've talked about them; every people talk--every reporter's talked about them in town--where he took trips that were probably not in keeping with the code of judicial ethics. So we have to get over this. I cannot dispute the fact, as I have said, that this is one smart guy. And I disagree with many of the results that he arrives at, but his reason for arriving at those results are very hard to dispute. So...

Link: http://www.mydd.com/story/2004/12/6/03238/4633#readmore

--Peter

[Radical Activist]

10. Thanks for posting that

This looks like a conditional statement that Scalia MIGHT be acceptable, not a statement of support for Scalia. I think people are exaggerating that a little bit.

[RubyDuby in GA]

6. Well

Hitler had his reasons for the Holocaust too.

This is Reid's reasoning for possibly backing Scalia (speaking of Hitler...)?!?!?!

Somebody please wake me up from this godawful nightmare!!!!!!!!!!!

[The Wielding Truth]

9. The problem is that we are awake, We see the disaster upon us.It's

the other 48% that is dreaming.It's so hard to wake them. It's like THE CUCKOO'S NEST.Hope DU doesn't foll around and get caught in a lobotomy.

[ShaneGR]

8. You've taken his comments out of context....

He was responding to a question about Clarence Thomas, who he basically said was utterly incompetant to be Supreme Court Justice because of his management, writing, behavior, etc.

He then went on to say that even though he disagreed strongly with almost all of Scalia's positions, Scalia backs himself up with strong organization, clear decisions, etc.

It was a comparison of Thomas and Scalia.

[joanski01]

11. You are getting on my nerves

with your vendetta against Harry Reid. Do you know him personally?

[tk2kewl]

12. No I don't

I want to see some progressive messages coming out of our party's leadership.

[Stuckinthebush]

14. I don't know about this poster's Reid vendetta

But I think he/she is right on with this letter.

Reid did say he could support Scalia and that is unthinkable. Are we to roll over for another four years?

[DaveinMD]

13. the quote was a swipe at Scalia

saying he could accept him if he wasn't so unethical.

[Radical Activist]

15. When you put it that way

the statement sounds very smart and calculated. Reid is stating the basis for rejecting Scalia while appearing to sound reasonable and bipartisan at the same time. Good point.

[DaveinMD]

16. Yup

when in opposition, you cant just be knee jerk. Everything needs to be calculated. I think Reid is very smart. This was a brilliant quote.