Yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told The Hill that the Washington Redskins should change their name:

In an interview with The Hill, Reid said, “I think [Washington Redskins owner Dan] Snyder is so shortsighted on this.”

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He added, “We live in a society where you can’t denigrate a race of people. And that’s what that is. I mean, you can’t have the Washington Blackskins. I think it’s so shortsighted.”

Earlier this year, Snyder said he would never change the name. Asked for comment, a spokesman for the Redskins referred to the letter Snyder wrote to the team’s fans earlier this year on the name controversy

The three most powerful Democrats in Washington — President Obama, Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) — have now urged the Redskins to rethink their mascot.

Today, the NFL team told Reid to mind his own business:

In a statement sent to The Hill, the Redskins stated, “The Redskins respect Senator Reid, and he is, of course, entitled to his opinion. However, we strongly disagree based on what we are hearing from Native Americans and based on the generations of pride and heritage that our name represents.” …

“As we heard from Andy Block, who wrote to say he lived and worked on the Shoshone-Paiute reservation in Owyhee, Nev., ‘The Redskins are by far the favorite franchise of any sport. The offices of both hospital administrators at the Indian Health Service hospital were covered in Redskins posters, calendars and gear. … The first day of work several laborers showed up wearing Redskins shirts and/or hats. They loved the team as much as I did … Hail to the Redskins!’ ”

The team added, “We agree with Andy Block and we are proud of the tradition, passion and heritage for which the Redskins name stands.”

I still think the Barrycaders would make an excellent alternate name, but otherwise I’m on Team Who-Cares. If people stop showing up to games over the issue, then Snyder might change the name. So far, I think Snyder has bigger issues in that regard, like Mike Shanahan, a six-game losing streak, and a mediocre defense.