Harry Reid: "Everyone Knows" About McCain's Nasty Temper

In an interview today with the website Big Think, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called John McCain a "flawed candidate," and attacked his much-heralded bipartisan reputation as an "illusion."

"He's wrong on the war. He's wrong on the economy," McCain said. "Everyone knows about his temper, his inability to get along with people."

Reid avoided playing favorites between the two Democrats currently in the race, praising both as intelligent and calling them "equally qualified." Instead, he continued to poke at the belief that McCain truly embodies his maverick label.

I think this illusion that he's a great bipartisan is without much foundation. He worked with Russ Feingold on campaign finance reform. That's nice. He's reached across the aisle on a couple of occasions, but that's a couple of occasions. He supports the president on all of his crazy economic policies. He has supported the president on this war, the worst foreign policy blunder in the history of the country.

Asked if McCain presidency would be a mandate to continue the Iraq war, Reid dismissed the idea. "We have lost going on 4100 Americans, tens of thousands wounded, a third of them grievously wounded... I can't imagine the American people endorsing this war."

Reid spoke positively about his efforts to oppose the war as majority leader, placing blame on an "ever so thin" majority and Republican obstruction for the lack of a withdrawal timeline. Reid also highlighted work done by the Congress to up-armor vehicles in Iraq, improve Walter Reid medical center, and increase benefits to veterans.

Ultimately, Reid sounded confident that the current strategy in Congress to end the war will bear fruit following the 2008 election, suggesting "we're competitive in 11 Senate races. Eleven Senate races! I don't know how many we're going to pick up, but wouldn't it be wonderful if my margin were five or six?"

[WATCH]

Comments

[cruisepuppy7452a]

08:37 PM on 05/04/2008

And everyone knows what a bullshit artist Reid really is. The man is all talk and no do. Just like the others he refuses to do shit to upset the apple cart. Even when facts are sent in his lap, Nada. Reid, retire and let someone in there who has the balls to do what is needed to get Bush and co out.

[TNT2008]

01:02 PM on 05/04/2008

McCain has a temper and everyone knows it but we should not forget about the temper Bill Clinton has! No sure who is worse. McCain may forgive someone as he did Bush for all the nasty statements he made about McCain in 2000 BUT Bill Clinton holds grudges! Once they are done with you a person may as well be dead to them. Hopefully, the super dels won't buy into the "fear of Clintons wrath" idea. Watch Bill next time he starts waving that finger; he looks like he is about to throw a cerebral clot!

[Cufflinks]

01:30 PM on 05/04/2008

Actually Bill has forgiven a lot of his enemies. He is very good friends with Bob Dole and George (41) Bush. Hillary has reached across the aisle on many occasions to the very same people who tried to destroy her husband.

Also "having a temper" is different than "holding grudges". If McCain, as president, is trying to negotiate a trade agreement or a peace treaty and he has one of his famous hissyfits, all bets are off. I seriously doubt that Obama, Bill or Hillary would ever behave as inappropriately when our national security is at stake.

And yeah, McCain "forgave" Bush for all those statements he made about him....but only because Bush (who was popular at the time) promised McCain he'd endorse his 2008 presidential bid in return for McCain's support for his 2004 reelection bid. Unfortunately Bush's endorsement means nothing now and McCain's "maverick" stance has lost its credibility as a result of his sucking up to 43.

[BadgersBite]

05:55 PM on 05/04/2008

Keep talking....I always yawn when I'm interested.

[lookingAhead]

11:40 AM on 05/04/2008

Hey Harry have you found your backbone yet? I doubt it since you are going to rubber stamp more money for an illegal war.. You couldn't talk me out of burning building, please step down and let someone else attempt to lead this party that you and Nancy helped destroy.

[Raymondf]

09:27 AM on 05/04/2008

What about Reid's temper why don't we talk about it.

[Lisette]

10:20 AM on 05/04/2008

@ Raymondf
REID IS NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT! DUH!

[oncethere]

08:40 AM on 05/04/2008

Surprise, Surprise. Another Republican bully.

[milo9]

02:28 AM on 05/04/2008

Harry probably has to change his underwear everytime McCain sneezes. Reid, please step down from your leadership roll. In these times, it's no job for old men.

[Anonani]

02:10 AM on 05/04/2008

And Hpe Springs Eternal is possible that it is true that McCain has a short fuse that controls him?

[foreverleft]

09:29 PM on 05/03/2008

If only Reid could have demonstrated a bit of a temper.

The country may have been the better for it.

[cla62]

08:39 PM on 05/03/2008

Maybe Reid can send McCain a letter. That's how he communicates isn't it. But he may just lock the doors to the house until McCain says he promises to never get mad at Reids incompetence again. LOL

[realtalk]

09:16 PM on 05/03/2008

How many times does McCain have to mix up sunni, and shite before we say he doesn't know what the hell he is talking about when it come to Iraq. He doesn't know about AlQaeda in Iraq, making yet more incorrect statements that they are being trained by Iran. He had to be corrected by Leibermann, about this in front of internatonal televison cameras. It seems now that Libermanns job is following around the old man, John McCain, and correcting McCain's mistakes (alot of times in front of t.v. cameras). And of course McCain still continues to be clueless about Iraq, getting Sunni, and Shite, wrong while speaking to General P the other day.
Is Joe Libermann going to follow McCain into every meeting correcting McCain's mistakes, is he going to be listening on every phone call to make sure that John McCain is being correct in what he is saying.
John McCain, knows nothing about the economy, so who is going to be following him into every meeting whispering into his ear., correcting his mistakes.
The economy, and the war are the TOP issues in this presidential campaign, YET people want to elect somone who knows NOTHING about any of it.
McCain with his OBVIOUS lack of knowledge, a man who also has such a bad temper that he has called his own wife a trallop, and a whore infront of both staff members, and reporters. THIS is the man people want to elect as a president!!!

[CrazyDemocrat]

03:43 PM on 05/03/2008

While it's true McCain has a temper, it's also true people know about Harry Reid's incompetence

[Gmoney1]

08:33 PM on 05/03/2008

Harry Reid is not running for president, he was not a POW for five years, rendering him a man with a hosts of problems including post tramatic stress syndrome - it's a scary thing when you have a 71 year old man with post tramatic stress - I would not trust him to go the market alone - god help us - even his wife could not put up with him on his return - it's not his temper - wait until his real medical records are divulged - well, I guess it will be too late then - Hillary will lose against him and we will have a old, ill tempered post tramatized, near senillity man as our president - god help us again -

[cla62]

08:40 PM on 05/03/2008

Repeat after me. President McCain. President McCain. Comeon, don't get mad. President McCain, see how easy it really is?

[halfdemhalfgop]

02:50 PM on 05/03/2008

Congressional Job Approval President Bush Job Approval
RCP AVERAGE RCP AVERAGE
Approve22.0 Approve29.3
Disapprove68.7 Disapprove65.2
Spread -46.7 Spread -35.9

Somebody please tell Sen.Reid to keep quiet. His Obama backing senate Is in just as bad of shape as "W".

[arglebargle]

03:12 PM on 05/03/2008

You do realize that Congress' crummy approval rating is a reflection of the role of the Repub minority too, don't you? Reid is right about their obstructionism.

[cla62]

08:44 PM on 05/03/2008

You do realize the dems. control what comes up for votes. Therefore the republicans are only voting on what the pathetic dem. leadership is bringing up for votes!! herefore the majority of the disapproval rating is the direct result of the democratics that control the houses not the republicans. Glad I could clear that up for you!!

[sf94127]

02:21 PM on 05/03/2008

I will not vote for Sen McCain but he does a lot less political posturing then Obama who will say anything to get votes. A man who suffered torture for 5 years while serving his country is entitled to be grumpy from time to time. Obama has his lines on McCain memorized and its always the same "He deserves our respect BUT....." Obama dos not respect John McCain. He wants to destroy McCain full stop. Obama prefers bigoted, anti-american preachers. These are the types he respects.

[arglebargle]

03:12 PM on 05/03/2008

Is McCain entitled to call his wife a horrible name, or to physically attack other members of Congress?

[dutchgirl55]

05:40 PM on 05/03/2008

Not anymore.

[merryblue]

08:59 AM on 05/03/2008

now hank!

you have made many pretty damn angry in the last decade.
accept some responsibility for your eliciting provocations please sir

[velveteagle]

08:31 AM on 05/03/2008

Hey if this guy can't get it right by age 71 I do not think he will figure things out. Damaged goods. But most people who are not afraid of being confused with the facts will see past the division of this country. The only way you beat the majority is to divide them. I am amazed that Obama can keep on sending out the message with all the hate out there.. At least he is not missspeaking or blaming his spouse. Or blaming very bad behavior on his co workers at every turn with a smile. Its too easy to hate.. I think that is why news is making so much money now days.. Who can we hate today.. Oh Boy..

[not one of the sheep]

05:35 AM on 05/03/2008

And everybody knows you are the Village Idiot. Your point is?