Harry Reid: John Boehner Afraid Of Tea Party (VIDEO)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid claimed on Sunday that GOP leaders, and particularly Speaker of the House John Boehner, were allowing themselves to be controlled by the Tea Party in the current government spending battle over fear of the activist groups.

"The answer is yes," Reid told Bob Schieffer of CBS' "Face the Nation" when asked if the GOP was "afraid" of the Tea Party. "The Tea Party is dictating a lot that goes on in the Republican leadership in the House and they shouldn't, it shouldn't be that way."

The Associated Press reports on the current state of the negotiations.

Late last week, Obama said that compromise was close with Republicans on $33 billion in cuts, and he warned that without a deal the ensuing government shutdown would "jeopardize our economic recovery" just as jobs are finally being created.

There are indications the $33 billion figure may truly be in play, with sufficient votes lined up among mainstream House Republicans and Democrats. But House Speaker John Boehner is denying a deal is in the works, apparently fearing he would alienate the Republican tea party conference and damage party solidarity in advance of the coming 2012 presidential election. Many of the 87 new Republican House members say they will not go for a compromise.

Reid's comments about the nature of the relationship between the Tea Party and Republicans are only the latest in a messaging battle that has led to competing charges of "extremism" in the ongoing debate.

Last week, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the Tea Party a "relatively small, extreme group of ideologues" who were weighing down the deliberations with unrealistic proposals. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell fired back later in the week, calling Democrats the extreme ones for resisting deep cuts proposed by Republicans and supported by the Tea Party.

On Sunday, Reid continued this line of attack, attempting to downplay the true power of the conservative activists and accusing Republicans of being overly concerned with the will of the group.

"The Tea Party is not looked at very strongly around the country. The only attention they get is in the House of Representatives and they shouldn't be getting that attention," Reid said, pointing to a poorly attended rally held by the conservative activists on Capitol Hill last week.

WATCH (comments begin at the 3:30 mark):

Comments

[MtnMutt]

10:55 AM on 04/05/2011

The TEA party is no more than the same ones who showed up at the 2008 Palin Rallies. They are a media creation for if more than 2 baggers held a protest all the networks would be there.

[rosiebond007]

10:44 AM on 04/05/2011

The Tea Party are NOT a Party - they are all wannabees with enough clout to scare the Republicans.

Harry needs to stand firm to the principles that got the Dems into Congress and the Senate.

No need to cave Harry. You need the votes so stand firm.

[plzchuteme]

10:09 AM on 04/05/2011

Harry Reid has little room to talk. He has shown himself to be afraid of the Republicans who are afraid of the Teaparty. Where does that put Harry? Then there are the Blue Dogs, Clowns, spiders, Lieberman, and his own shadow. What he should really be afraid of is...Lyndon Johnson's ghost!

[sarabono]

09:48 AM on 04/05/2011

Reid has not even brought a Funding Extension Bill to the Senate floor for discussion.

What has the Senate passed since January? Virtually nothing of consequence?

I guess they are on Vacation.

[rcwhite364]

09:31 AM on 04/05/2011

While Harry is correct on this point, such arguments coming from Democrats who are overwhelmingly afraid of Republicans makes it a hollow argument. But I do thank them for driving me farther to the Left.

[ka0226]

09:30 AM on 04/05/2011

Hairball Reid should be afraid of the Tea Party. Wait until the democrats are forced to deal with massive cuts before the vote on raising the debt ceiling takes place. Let's see if Reid can talk his way out of that one instead of just sitting on the sidelines like he's been doing. Can't the democrats do better than this dinosaur?

[Jamal Spencer]

08:53 AM on 04/05/2011

John Boehner is a puppet for the Tea Party and big business,especially the Koch Brothers. It is shame that Boehner is selling his soul for profit. Hopefully the next time we vote,we use common sense instead of anger when we vote for candidates who are willing to work for us,the American People.

[ka0226]

09:32 AM on 04/05/2011

Keep earning that 10 cents per post. Wait until the Tea Party forces your democratic leadership to make massive cuts when the debt ceiling debate begins.

[Biblebelt Socialist]

12:46 PM on 04/05/2011

quote: "vote for candidates who are willing to work for us,the American People."

Ya. Let me know when you find some will you?

[Peanut Santiago]

02:56 AM on 04/05/2011

I see it a little differently.

The Tea Baggers are DEMANDING things....and poor Boehner just has to give in and do what they say or else.

Sooner or later, the Repugs will crash....the people will get tired of their actions....and the Tea Bagger politicians will be the scapegoats.

The REGULAR Repug politicians want the same things as the Tea Baggers but they don't dare go for it. So the Tea Baggers do the dirty work and they will be blamed later.

I have to admire the Repug nasty tricks. They are masters of deceit.
And so far it is working.

[sarabono]

12:50 AM on 04/05/2011

It would be a good idea if he would pass a budget proposal in the Senate. He has not even offered one to the floor to be voted on. Shat gives? Has he lost it?

[plzchuteme]

09:35 AM on 04/05/2011

I'm not sure he ever had it to lose.

[zelda777]

11:05 PM on 04/04/2011

Hear ye, hear ye, here is the real agenda of the TP:

http://www.pfaw.org/media-center/publications/corporate-infusion-what-the-tea-party-s-really-serving-america

[tmon23]

10:38 PM on 04/04/2011

Bon er should be afraid, Very afraid !!! The Centrist in this country are tired of the Growing Government and we will continue to expect Congress to Cut expenditures.
$61 billion was the compromise John !!!!

[fran-pan]

09:34 PM on 04/04/2011

Read instead----- Boehner is afraid of the Koch Bros. Party...

[WhatWereTheyThinking]

08:56 AM on 04/05/2011

By renaming the Tea Party Republicans to the Long Island Iced Tea Party Republicans, Boehner will feel much more at home.

[johuyik]

09:31 PM on 04/04/2011

Actually Boehner isn't pandering to the Tea Party, he's just going back to the roots of the GOP. Screw the working man, tax breaks for the ultra-rich and corporations, clean air and water is a private sector problem.

If they get the chance they'll finish the job they started from 2000-2006 by doing what no foreign foe has ever done, bringing this country to it's knees.

[ranchero42]

12:43 AM on 04/05/2011

So - no 'rebranding', they just need a new motto that reminds folks of their proud history?

How about 'GOP - Hosing Down Your Barn Door Since 1854.'

I always knew 'Spinal Tap' had the potential to mark pivotal moments in time.

[johuyik]

11:35 AM on 04/05/2011

Thanks Ranchero...made me laugh this morning!

[Biblebelt Socialist]

12:48 PM on 04/05/2011

The only "rebranding" the GOP is interested in involves a hot piece of iron and people of color.

[TNFarmer]

09:07 PM on 04/04/2011

Harry, please spend your time addressing our national problems and stop worrying about what the Republicans are doing internally. So far, you ain't showed this ole country boy a whole lotta leadership in your own Party. geeez.

[ranchero42]

12:46 AM on 04/05/2011

Isn't ending farm subsidies an M-TBagger theme? How could he possibly leave them untouched and not face primary challenge?

[TNFarmer]

10:30 AM on 04/05/2011

Ending many of the farm subsidies would be a good idea - it's a manipulative practice that lines the pockets of a few really big operators and does very little, if anything for smaller ones. In other words, the rich get richer (at taxpayers' expense).

Reid has been a weak Majority Leader. My point is the Senate needs a stronger leader.