Why Harry Reid was sidelined for Joe Biden
“We know that when McConnell has hit a wall with Reid, he calls Joe Biden to get some more candy,” said a senior Senate Democratic aide, who requested anonymity to speak candidly about the vice president.
It was a good-cop, bad-cop routine that Reid wanted no part of. “We thought it was unnecessary,” the aide said of Biden’s involvement. “We had a lot of leverage.”…
Reid was playing hardball. With polls showing that the public was far more likely to blame congressional Republicans than the president if the nation jumped off the fiscal cliff – and billions in automatic tax hikes and spending cuts went into effect – Reid rightfully knew that McConnell wanted a deal – and badly.
Reid felt that he’d compromised enough, according to a senior Senate Democratic aide with knowledge of the discussions and the senator’s thinking. Besides, if no accord was reached, Obama and Reid had said they’d push the president’s plan to stop tax hikes for those earning below $250,000 and extend unemployment insurance to the floor. Republicans could block that and be responsible for everyone’s taxes spiking at their own peril.
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I thought it was because Harry Reid was suffering from dementia. Or are both Harry and Joe in that boat?
Dasher on January 1, 2013 at 11:26 PM
Because a botoxed dude walking into the room without pants on would scare the hell out of anyone.
Bishop on January 1, 2013 at 11:41 PM
Embarrassing that Reid and Obama are so hyperpartisan they aren’t willing to even bargain in good faith.
Outlander on January 1, 2013 at 11:41 PM
The word is out there. Reid is a pedophile.
petefrt on January 2, 2013 at 12:25 AM
Biden is going to milk his role here as The Great Negotiator, Presidential candidate for 2016.
Buy Danish on January 2, 2013 at 12:37 AM
In all seriousness, Harry Reid IS in the first stages of dementia. Without going into detail, I have almost direct personal knowledge of it. In any case, listen to his speech, especially when he is not reading a script or teleprompter. It is often slurred, rambling and barely coherent. The man is definitely ill, but functions well enough to know how to destroy the country.
Rixon on January 2, 2013 at 5:34 AM
I’ve said this before at HA, and I’ll say it again: as much of an obstructionist as 0dumba is, Reid and Pelosi are, shudderingly, even worse!
Anti-Control on January 2, 2013 at 5:42 AM
It was all about political gain for the Democrats and nothing to do with making responsible decisions? I’m shocked.
forest on January 2, 2013 at 6:01 AM