Reid Defends Himself From Racism Accusations (VIDEO)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was forced to defend his support for African-American politicians in a testy exchange with David Gregory on "Meet the Press" Sunday.

In a discussion of Senate appointee Roland Burris, Gregory repeated a claim of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich that the Nevada Senator had opposed three other black potential replaces for President-elect Barack Obama. "He's making it up," Reid said.

Gregory went on to say that people close to Burris were suggesting that "Reid doesn't want an African-American to succeed Obama." Reid gave a lengthy and impassioned defense of his history of promoting black Senate politicians. Anyone accusing him of racism, he concluded, is "part of the Blagojevich spin." Watch:

Comments

[NotSusan]

Why is this jerk the Senate Majority Leader? His uselessness never fails to awe and amaze me. We'd probably be better off with Blago, at least he'd get something done in-between hairbrushing.

[Nomccain]

Even though I don't care for Reid, I think this is a racially motivated attempt by Blago to have his way despite the prevailing national opinon on what he's done. This guy is a piece of Chicago's political machine and he's a piece of work. I'd trust Reid before I'd trust Blago. Besides all this, just watch as all the allegations of misdeeds begin to surface since the Republicans got their butts kicked. Rush LimpTONGUE and Coulter and others are trying to destroy this country every day.When will people in this country understand that this country could move forward IF there were not so much infighting, rumors, revenge, crookedness and posturing by both parties. We are destroying ourselves and the media is helping us do it. Starting some kind of crap takes presidence over doing something constructive or positive in this country now. That has to change or we go down the tubes!

[rkimball]

ok who's right, reid or obama?

[littleH]

Blago's the one that threw this out there as a way to say F-U thats all its about.

[swift goat pet for truth]

Racist? I don't think so.

Incompetent? Yes, and by a lot.

[Right-turn]

Harry Reid, are you sure he isn't from Alabama or Mississippi? I bet he looks good in white.

[steamboat]

Don't stereotype people please (because where there from)? Judge every individual by their character.

Having said that, explain to me why black leaders and the media are more or less quiet? Imagine had this been Trent Lott?

[sixletters]

Republicans are so, so said and pathetic.

[PennP]

I just watched it in rerun at 2AM, and have to say I was not compelled by his answers. He never actually denied it, he just called the guy names. He stumbled a bit when Gregory mentioned the tapes. As a defense for what he's doing, he cited another prospective appointee who elected to forgo the appointment because of the governor's problems. Reid apparently seems to think that coming into office under a cloud creates a Constitutional basis for barring the appointment. I'd like to see him found wrong just to wipe that creepy smirk off his prissy mug.

[CompliantMedia]

I don't think Harry Reid was totally forthcomming - even though some of his statements may have some merit.

Whenever a pol says, "I don't remember", it immediately raises my suspicions about veracity.

DId you hear Reid say, ""I don't remember what was in that conversation"?

Why the dems chose this spineless man to be Senate Majority Leader remains a puzzlement.

[carnelld]

Harry Reid is symptomatic of recent American history. He lacks vision, courage and the ability to move beyond the quagmire of narcicissim in government. His attempt to maintain the status quo in the Senate reflects on America's continued fascination and fear of change. The Democratic party would be well served to cultivate and bring forward a better quality of leadership.

[Right-turn]

Very well said.

[GJR227]

The country would be well served if Congress new what the word leadership meant.

[kgb999]

And here I thought it was the American people who elected the leaders.

If you don't like them - elect someone new. But quit whining already!

[VSamuels]

Excellent observation!

Neither the Democratic or republican leadership have confronted the various 'fears' they naturally have about change; specifically, how to manage white male power in an ever changing environment. The republicans are blunt and proffer no illusions that it is what they seek as they go about playing 'footsy' with stereotypes they recognize still holds sway within their electorate, whereas, the Dems are more non-transparent in their methods, seeing inclusion not as a moral and ethical duty but, as a tactic to manuever blocs of non-white voters in their ranks to perpetuity.

The Dems have been heads and shoulders above their republican counterparts in minority outreach, but the lack of commitment on both their parts to embrace 'it' as a vital ingredient within our political process, continues to be missing. Reid's hands may be entirely clean, but his tone deafness about the message he and his other colleagues are sending, ir-regardless of intent, belies the on-going challenges we face as a nation.

[ZimboDude]

As a black person, I am embarrased by the accusations of racism by Rep Rush ?? and Burress camp. It's sickening, desperate and undignified. The refusal to accept Burress as senator has nothing to do with racism but with who made the appointment.

I am sick and tired of these idiots who use the race card all the time.

[GunnyJ]

Thank you! I agree.

[Irv65]

As a black person also, I watched the Rush statement live and damn-near fall out of my chair when he throw out the race issue. I was like "How in the hell did he even get to that point?" Race has nothing to do with this, Blago is in trouble and it was a bold move, any self respecting person would have turned him down, so right away I didn't like the pick......­...color was never mentioned until that day, personally I wish and hope they choose a women of any color, but the best person for the job is the main point and the guy he picked has no class for even taking the hand-out.

[qdog112]

"As a black person, I am embarrased by the accusations of racism by Rep Rush ?? "

So, of course the first thing you do is use the race card by revealing your race as if that lends credence to your opinion.

DIdn't your statement have merit without it?

[PhillyJack]

Ding ding ding.... Jackpot!

[qdog112]

"I am sick and tired of these idiots who use the race card all the time."

So the first line of your comment uses the race card. "As a black person"

[Irv65]

That's not a use of the race card, lighten up! They are showing how this is big time BS!

[hardybear]

Utter nonsense! Why in the world should anyone get criticized for voicing
their ethnicity?! I occasionally precede a statement by noting myself a woman,
by your logic, that would be sexist?

[diogenes1967]

I think the point in saying that is that until enough AA get disgusted with this type of racial political BS and speak out against it, black politicians will continue to use to cynically use this to justify nonsense.

[AlaskanWannaB]

The following article has nothing to do with this subject. Just thought this is an interesting articles and it speaks to the mindset of some people in the Red States. I think it was awesome for this person to come out and say this:

Article Title:
Andrew M. Manis: When are we going to get over it

To view the contents on www.shreveporttimes.com, go to:
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200812120903/OPINION/81212007

[wml209]

As a disappointed dem, Reid is bad news aside from Blagojevic­h...

[SimplyBkuz]

I don't think Harry Reid is a bad guy. He may be ineffectual and a little too soft spoken for the seat he holds, but he's not a bad guy. I don't think he's racist at all.. that's just something Blago & Co. are using to put pressure on him. As much as I disagree with Reid and wish he were a little more of a bulldog, I don't think he's a bad man.

[eden4barack08]

Well said, I agree.

[lynjs]

I see nothing wrong with what Senator Reid stated because it is the truth. What galls me is that 'Gov.' Blagojevich has gotten away with using race to get his way and keep his office. As an African-American, I am appalled at that tactic. That guy is toxic and needs to go. No one should be seated until the matter is resolved.

As for Roland Burris, I thought he seemed to be a nice man until that mausoleum of his came to light. That is rather creepy. That mausoleum of his with his accomplishments already on it is a might bit over the top. If he were a sensible man, he would scurry away from that seat. But the lure of power can make one drunk.

One can't escape the fact that it feels like he gave up something to that mental health case of a governor to get the seat. If it walks like a duck, it is probably a duck.

[loucreattie]

Well said.

[eden4barack08]

I agree.

[steamboat]

As a citizen of Illinois my state has TWICE elected an African-American to the US Senate. You and Reid have each insulted us folks from Illinois. Besides Pres.-elec­t Obama, we also sent Carol Mosely Braun there. Reid doesn't know what he's talking about. And why isn't this jerk being chastized by the media and black leaders like lets say Trent Lott was? There really is a double-standard.

[steamboat]

PS: Again, learn about my state.....­.You would then know that as Atty. General of Illinois, Burris sat back and did nothing when law-enforcement put innocent hispanics in prison (mainly Rolando Cruz) even after another person (Dugin) confessed to the murder of the Nicarico girl. And that Burris wanted the death sentence for Cruz even after the other person confessed and evidence proved Cruz totally innocent.

[lynettema]

This whole issue has Rove smell all over it. Fitzgerald calling for another 90 days feels like a GOP power play as well. By using their power in the judicial system, they are attempting to act the spoilers. It is up to us to see that they don't. We must also see that we don't allow the media to make this into something it isn't which will be difficult since they love sensationalism.

[lynettema]

Who you gonna believe? Reid or Blago's lyin' eyes?

[loucreattie]

Thank you!

[swo68]

They both need to go bye bye.