Harry Reid: 'I Don't Work For Obama'

In an interview with The Hill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he would not roll over for the new president the way Republicans did for Bush.

Reid stated, "I don't believe in the executive power trumping everything... I believe in our Constitution, three separate but equal branches of government."

"If Obama steps over the bounds, I will tell him. ... I do not work for Barack Obama. I work with him," he said.

The Nevada Democrat gave a similar quote to Politico. "I like Barack Obama very much. He won a classic election, never have we had a better one," Reid said. "But I don't work for him, I work with him."

Reid went on to criticize Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) for bucking the party on seating Senate appointee Roland Burris. Feinstein argued that not seating Burris would threaten all gubernatorial appointments. "That's not valid, her statement," he said. "I told her that. OK?"

Reid also said that he planned to lead the Senate Democrats until at least 2015. However, he downplayed his own importance as Majority Leader. "I understand how close I've come to failure a number of times. I've done OK," Reid said. "I've never considered myself Johnny Unitas or anything like that. I am just someone the [Democratic] Caucus has selected and they feel comfortable with."

Comments

[shastaman]

Harry Reid, Orrin Hatch, Gordon Smith, Mitt Romney, just to name a few who work for their Archangel Moroni!!!! What's faith got to do with it? I wonder!

Jon Krakauer makes a compelling point about the power grab that the Mormon church is pursuing!

I just cannot trust their secrecy, yet I understand their motive$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[fame]

Careful Harry, your prejudices are showing again.

[FaceYourFears]

I don't think he's prejudice, PO has been too kind....Reid, Diane and many more to follow takes his kindness for a weakness. PO had better get firm or they're going to run all over him.

[davispty5]

I think it would be a grave error in judgement on their part to mistake PE Obama's kindness for weakness. He's way to smart to let any of these clowns run all over him.

[manicore]

Thats right Harry you only work for the Repubs. Everytime they mention Filibuster you Faint.
Can we remove Harry the whimp Pleazzzzzzzzz!

[Takir]

What? Harry Reid isn't a Rubber Stamp for Obama? Then how come he was a Rubber Stamp for Bush? This from the coward that rubber stamped anything and everything that Bush, Cheney, Rove, and even Joe Lieberman wanted. Now he goes all Mr. Macho against his own party members (Burris and Obama). And get this, the unprincipled sleezeball is doing it on "principle". Reid makes Blogo look like a saint. Which is worse, to try to sell a senate seat or to sell out your country and constitution for 8 years because you didn't have the guts to uphold your oath of office? To coin a phrase...with Democrats like Reid...who needs Republicans.

[TRYKER]

Well Mr Reid, start working for Obama.

[Pulitic-Gu2]

"I do not work for Barack Obama. I work with him," he said.

This coming from someone who has done nothing but cave in to the Republicans and Bush since he became Senate Majority Leader. Harry Reid has been so ineffective that he should be fired. He caves in to the Republicans but now he is going to fight Obama, who is on his side? Real smart Harry!

Once again you sound like a real dumb a**.

[MariaHopeful]

Oh now he has suddenly grown a spine?
It is my fervent wish that soon he will neither work with or for Mr. Obama as he will no longer be in the Senate.

[motamanx]

Reid is an empty suit who caved to every bonehead Bush agenda item.
Now suddenly he has (what he thinks is) a backbone? What gives?

[goldnchyl]

That's exactly what I was thinking ... and all the repugs coming out with wanting accountability for O's tax cuts. What a bunch of jokes.

[Lion24]

Russ Feingold for Senate majority leader.

Pass it on.

[NotMcCain]

Oh, if only!

It's infuriating to see milquetoasts like Reid and Feinstein now each growing a pair over inconsequential things.

Where were THEY during the crimes of the last 8 years????


Feingold is one of the few Senators I have great respect for. Never happen, but I'd love to see him as Leader.

[Lion24]

Afraid to go up against Rove and Cheney, but not afraid to go up against Obama?

Harry, you'll do what you're told and like it. OK?

[TheHankMan]

...you work for us, you d!ck

[springsm]

I really hate saying this Harry, but you don't work against your president before he is president. You can at least be respectful at this time...fight later. We know you will capitulate anyway...so carry on. But you do not work for the citizens of this country either, you have given bush what he wants each and every time. As far as Diane Feinstein goes...she takes herself far to seriously. She also is an enabler for bush and cabal.

[Faelsun]

Great he couldn't stand up to Bush but now that Obama is President he wants to pretend to have backbone, great. Harry we needed your bravery about 8 years ago.

[buster85]

It looks to me like Harry has to much Ego. I would like to see president Obama set Reed straight from day one. For years the two parties have blamed things on the other. Now that the democrates have complete control we will finally see why we don't get things done in Washington. When the democrate senators don't have the republicans to blame, they are already starting to bicker with the new President.

[ResistanceisFutile]

Not only did Reid roll over for Bush just like the Republicans and other Democrats, he wet his pants.