Reid Rebuffs Idea Of Senate Majority Leader Clinton

Sen. Harry Reid on Monday brushed off the notion that he has any plans to cede his Majority Leader title once Hillary Clinton returns to the Senate full-time.

Asked by The Huffington Post about reports that Clinton may be eyeing Reid's spot if (as seems likely) her presidential run is unsuccessful, the Nevada senator at first offered some humble niceties.

"I do this job the best I can, with the full support of my senators," he said during a small breakfast with reporters. "I feel very comfortable with where I've gotten."

But Reid, the former amateur boxer, couldn't help finishing with a gentle jab.

"Keep in mind also, a senator coming back who's run for president is not a very unique one," Reid said to laughter. "Senator John Kerry ran, he's back. Chris Dodd ran, he's back. Joe Biden ran, he's back."

Those senators have been plenty busy since returning from the campaign trail, Reid added, and "Senator Clinton has some very fine committee assignments."

Comments

[SecretSquirrel666]

Reid will just have to face it. Hillary has to be offered something, just like Dean was offered his current post when he imploded, and he's done a heck'uva a job there Brownie! She will probably demand it, unlike Kerry who just tucked his tail between his legs and went home, but then again, if you look at his wife, he's probably used to that pose.

[eej]

Dean was not offered the post to appease him. The Democratic party was wise to find a way to use this man's considerable skill.

Hillary is not owed a thing, by anyone. Even Bill has paid any debt he owed her.

[mediamarv]

Actually, she's got more cojones than he.... he's turned the Dem Senate into a doormat, afraid to utter any significant disapproval of Repugs' failures even tho they are legion!!!

If pissed off, he's the type who raise his hand for permission to speak.
Wimp factor: 100%

[Flagal]

I say out with the old, in with the new, which means no more Reid or Clinton.

[jdmccl]

That would mean BHo would be an ideal cannidate. Can't get much newer than him. Teddy Kennedy has had drinking binges last llonger than Barraks Senate term. Harry has pretty much lost every battle as had Naggy Pelosi. They don't have enough votes to do anything and are more lame duck than Bush.

[falgiano]

I've been disappointed in Reid and Pelosi. Bush should be in jail by now. Clinton wouldnt be an improvement.

[eej]

Kucinich would do what needs to be done. Unfortunately he didn't get the time of day.

[IngeniousGirl]

Waaay too late for her, she does not get along well with others.

[useyourbrain]

Actually, she does get along with the repubs and the dems. she's a hard worker and brilliant -- it would be great to have her as the ML of the Senate -- especially when Pres. McCain tries to pack the Courts.

[JiminNC]

Doesn't matter, she will be out of the Senate after the next election in NY.

[mediamarv]

Don't count on it.

You underestimate the hatred in this country for all things Bush tainted - like the entire Reep party!!

Hee, hee, it's gonna be brutal. and so much fun to watch!!!

[Flagal]

Agreed. My guess is she is done politically, she just doesnt realize it yet.

[progressivepam]

She's not up for reelection until 2012. Lots can happen between now and then.

[skepticalindenver]

That is why the record amount in earmarks for NY. No candidate for president would do such a thing knowing they would have to defend it in the general election. She will funnel record amounts of pork to her state for the next 4 years. She will have bought back much goodwill in her state by then.

[useyourbrain]

Yeah, right. She won the last time by a landslide. Who is going to run against her on the Repub side that can beat her? Pataki? Guiliani? Get real.

[Sparty1]

Why would someone who's still a junior senator in their state be offered the Majority leader post? That wouldn't happen with anyone else, but Hillary "I'll tear down the Dem party" Clinton. They didn't do that with Kerry, Dodd, or Biden. They shouldn't do it with her. She doesn't deserve a damn thing.

[skepticalindenver]

This is most likely some balloon that some Clinton operator has floated. it will go over as well as when they floated the Obama as her VP balloon. People will chuckle and move on.

[maxdenn]

These three have done nothing for Democracy. Pelosi with her "off the table" remarks about impeachment. Clinton with her vote to attack Iraq. Or Reid with his milquetoast approach to leadership.

[JuniorBug]

I agree, but I think Clinton might do a better job than Reid, if accidentally, while showboating.

[Flagal]

There are many better choices out there than either one of the two.

[MildenHall]

She deserves no more than any other Senator that ran from President and didn't get it. Hell, Kerry almost made it and he's back in the Senate.

There's no prize for second place and Harry isn't going to give that up his position without going 15 rounds with Darth Hillary.

[lakeqi]

Let her be governor of New York. Get the Clintons out of the national spotlight. I'm sick of her face.

[ReportThis]

As a New Yorker, I object. Didn't she recently claim long-affiliation with Scranton, PA? Couldn't they find her a window to work in the Dept. of Motor Vehicles? Or as a night watchman at the towing pound?

[Kynn]

Hey, I have family in Scranton, and the DMV is and impound yards are already completely untrustworthy.

[stonepier]

Yeah, that would be a good place for her, now that she's gone all lowbrow.

[PALinda]

Hey, she never bothered to claim any interest in PA prior to this spring ... and heck, with a dear ol' gov like Rendell the last thing we want is another ol' school dem in these here hills ! What's so bad about Arkansas, anyway, Hillary?!?!?!

[Mutineer]

Actually, I think this is one position she'd be good at. Reid (god bless him) just doesn't have the brass balls needed for the job.

[Anastasia]

If Hillary had dropped out two months ago, it would have been a possibility. Too late now.

[lakeqi]

Wheres she gonna get the votes? Kennedy, Feingold, Obama, Leahy, Reid, Kerry, Dodd,McCaaskill, Webb and their supporters will fight it. In other words this womans ambition will destroy the Senate. She's a cancer! This woman should be put in jail where she can't do anymore harm.If she gets a Senate leadership spot that will show once and for all how far to the right this party is that the above list has virtually no power.

[mediamarv]

Spoken just like a true Christian.

[Anastasia]

No way she could lead the Senate at this point. Had she not run for Prez, it would have been a shoe-in, eventually.

Hillary doubled down and doubled down again, on winning the nomination. No more chips left.

[skepticalindenver]

You are correct inasmuch her time to wrangle position is gone. When the issue was still in doubt (at least in the media), she had collateral. She has none now.

[useyourbrain]

You schmucks don't realize that HRC has done the DNC and Obama a huge favor by staying in the race. First, record number of Dems are registering and voting since most of these late voting states have never felt a part of the process but I guess you feel the Democratic Party should not be democratic. Second, she has toughened Obama. Do you think he'd have a chance against the RNC and right wing attack machine? You think HRC has attacked Barrack? You ain't seen nothing yet.

[cla62]

Clinton couldn't possibly do any worse than Reid. Reid is a complete waste of space who couldn't lead his dog on a walk. Just write them a letter Harry, isn't that what you do best?

[txgal44]

Clinton deserves nothing.

[dsmyre]

Yes. Clintons had 8 years in the White House. Enough already.

[PALinda]

I agree. She's had enough attention already in 2008. We're looking for *competence* in Washington, not , quote, "experience", end quote. If Reid loses his seat this fall, then speakership should go to someone who rose up through the ranks earning the position ... not someone who bankrolled her own way.

[skepticalindenver]

You are incorrect. She deserves to "suck it up" and loan as much money as it takes to pay off all the hard working people her campaign is in debt to......an­d write off the 11.6 million and any further loans off. That is what she deserves.

[fourex]

Harry, you and Nancy should saddle up, and leave before sundown.

[harriscrl3]

Yikes this could be a big problem what to do with Hilary Clinton. VP governor of New York, Senate Mjority leader. Why do I get the feeling she is not going away. I have said this before and I'll say it again putting her on Obama's ticket will be a disaster. But I'd open to a high cabinet position.

Carol

[monkette]

I hear the ambassadorship to siberia is open.

[KarateKid]

She will not be Senate Majority leader; she is too divisive. Oh, yeah, Harry Reid is just going to step aside for her. Anyone who thinks he's a wimp is underestimating him. When he gets a clear majority, it will be curtains for the traitor Lieberman. He'll join his buddy McCain on the sidelines.

[JiminNC]

Lieberman better be gone from the party soon.

[Kynn]

The Dems have had use of Lieberman on a lot of issues, the biggest thing he's been on the other side is the war.

Though, if you saw Reid on, I think Olbermann the other day, when asked about Lieberman he kinda said that if this Fall the Dems have a much better position, Lieberman is gone.