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

[totaldisbelief]

It wouldn't break my heart if Hillary just went away altogether....please.

[brizzle]

Amen.

[zull2]

Why does everyone feel the need to console Hillary Clinton, pat her on the back, for losing in a primary? Do we really do this with just every party contender? Do we frequently leapfrog more experienced Senators to coddle a Senator who hasn't even served 1 1/2 terms yet? As far as I can tell, no one ever made a nice promise to Senator John Kerry, Howard Dean got installed as the head of the DNC, but John Edwards is mostly just sitting around.

The Clintons raised 100 million in 8 years. They'll raise plenty more over the next 10 years from Democrats who still think being almost Republicans is a "really good idea". They'll live so much better than anyone in my own family that we couldn't even possibly imagine their lifestyle. They've got it fine, and here's the deal: If it's a gender thing...you can lay odds that we'll have more than one female candidate next time around. And this time we might even get the real deal. Hillary Clinton would not have gotten as far as she had if not for name recognition. There are better women candidates out there that didn't run because Hillary did. Those are the types that will run next time.

[butterworth]

Why DOES everyone have to fall all over themselves trying to find a consolation prize that would be acceptable to Hillary? I thought losing was simply the chance you took anytime you ran for an elected position. Hillary won a couple Senate bids, now she lost her Presidential bid. It's not like she's gonna be homeless, living under a bridge somewhere.

Another bad idea that was floated was Hillary as Governor of New York. Hillary seems to have scant talent when it comes to managing her own projects, such as health care during Bill's Presidency, or her own Presidential campaign. How could she run a state? This New Yorker says no thanks...

[spaceman3838]

not when you lose with 49% of the vote. learn some history

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

Harry Reid is an idiot. There is no more damning evidence than he converted TO mormonism as and adult.

I can understand children who grow up in that cult being spoon-fed the various varieties of crap that mormons believe until it culminates in an adult who believes ALL the varieities of crap.

What I don't understand is a sentient human being (adult) who converts into that cult.

And you want me to believe you're capable of leading the Senate. Not so much, Harry.

[AgathaX]

So why must we console Hillary? That seems a rather sexist attitude. A woman can't lose without getting flowers and a plum job? As Reid pointed out, it was good enough for Kerry to go back to being a senator. I think there are significantly better criteria for being majority leader than a badly managed, failed presidential bid.

That said, I think Chris Dodd would be excellent. Or how about Feingold?

[foolchild0]

no thanks, although reid's bad clinton would be worse, she never misses a chance to cuddle close with the republicans, and she'll do anything she can to stick it to a president obama or to cuddle close to a president mccain. no thanks. how about some completely new leadership?

[carex]

Reid has missed so many opportunities it has been tragic for our country.

Barbara Boxer would be great!!!!!

[DesertLight]

Right, go from bad to worse.

[condew]

Just don't go as bad as Clinton. Lieberman is enough trouble and Clinton is starting to look very Republican, too.

[rosal]

She should look for her own job. Why do people have to be looking for a consolation prize? As Senator Reid said, great politicians, and human beings, as Biden, Dodd, Richardson, came back to their duties quietly and without expecting subjects, and servants, to kneel and pay homage.

[nhcracker]

Next!

[tellinya]

Barbara Boxer

[dr4Will]

she could out do that dead head any day of the week!!!

[condew]

Evil is far worse than feckless.

[faith]

Actually, anyone would be better than Reid. He has accomplished nothing. He makes the democrats look like a bunch of cowards. I hope they do put someone in Reid's current position that exhibits some backbone. Out with Reid ! I think it should be Feingold.

[foolchild0]

Feingold would never get the job, he's resented by too many Dems because he has values and takes stands on issues.

[lornejl]

Daschle, then Reid, I predict the next dem leader will be another big wuss.

[DesertLight]

We agree on almost nothing, but you got that right.

[foolchild0]

Amen, the Dem leadership's been pathetic the last decade or so.

[IslandGyal]

Is she Queen Clinton, that folks are just expected to step aside as she comes by?

[tellinya]

Look, I dont like her. You dont like her. But she is the other half of the dynastyand shes got a lotta voters. shes positioning herself for VP.
Food tasters to the front line!!!

[condew]

No. If more of us don't like her, and those who do are voting for McCain, we don't have to pu up with her crap.

Mark my words, she will sabatoge the Democratic party every chance she gets just to push the idea she sould have been the president. She is already reducing our likely Democratic majority by drawing energy and money into fighting off her attacks long after she lost. Those volunteers and that money is not going into helping win seats in the congress. She is a traitor to the Democratic cause.

[PALinda]

"she's got a lotta voters"

Oh, you refer, I suppose, to the FAKE, HATE and REBATE votes ? Yeah. For what they're worth, she's got 'em, alright.

[lynninny]

THANK you, Nico Pitney. Why is everyone falling all over themselves with suggestions for some great consolation prize for Senator Clinton? Obama does not need her to be his VP, Reid does not need to "take one for the team" and give up his Majority seat. No one has to offer her a Cabinet post..unless they feel she would truly be a great choice. Stop trying to pacify her, people. She is a big girl, she threw down as hard as she could, and fortunately appears to have lost this time. That's the way it goes...

Boy, President Obama has a great ring to it.

[patmancando]

"appears to have lost this time. That's the way it goes..."


And since the fat lady has not sung, don't count a Clinton out! As much as Obama, his campaign and his obaminations would like to force her out of the campaign so the can rein-franchise the 2.2 million Florida and Michigan voters and their 300 delegates, she says she ain't quiting! Why should she? Obama was willing to disenfranchise them by blocking a re-vote in both of those states; so let him try to get their support in the GE. There are millions of passionate Hillary supporters, who are well aware of this, and many of us will consider Obama an illegitimate nominee. That is why in exit polls 50% of Hillary's supporters say we will not vote for him in the GE. Democratic leaders think these voters will come back and vote for Obama. Because we are not threatening riots in the streets and overtly threatening to stay home.......like many of Obama's supporters, I wouldn't count on these voters in Nov, in the GE, Hell has no fury as a woman scorned!

[condew]

She's OUT, live with it.

Florida and Michigan screwed themselves, it is nobody's fault but their own and it has nothing to do with Obama.

[LeftLeaner]

Harry, take a hike.

My cat could have done a better job than Harry Dweeb.