Harry Reid Gets Some Republican Support

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Congress

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Republican National Committee chair Michael Steele and Republican Sens. John Cornyn and Jon Kyl may think Sen. Harry Reid should step down from the Senate leadership, but other Republicans are standing by the majority leader.

Conservative Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma complained that "Washington plays a game of gotcha," according to a Tulsa World report quoted by Politico.

"It pains me that Republicans are saying Harry Reid ought to step down," he said. "When you point a finger, you have four fingers pointing back at you. There is not anybody in Washington who has not said something that could be judged inappropriate and wrong."

Republican Sen. John Ensign, who, like Reid, hails from Nevada, echoed that sentiment, telling KKOH radio in Reno yesterday that "we need to get away from this politics of gotcha," according to the Associated Press.

"I don't think there's a person walking, certainly not a politician out there, that hasn't made comments they regret," said Ensign. "When you make those comments, as long as you take responsibility for your comments and apologize for them, I think people should accept that."

Reid, of course, has come under fire after revelations that he described President Obama as "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one" in detailing why he believed Mr. Obama would be a good presidential candidate. Reid apologized for the comments, and the president accepted.

Sen. John McCain today became the latest Republican to complain of what he called in an NBC interview a "stunning double standard" in the treatment of Reid.

McCain and others suggest that it is unfair for Reid to keep his job since former Sen. Trent Lott was forced to leave his leadership post after saying America that would have been better off if Strom Thurmond, who backed segregation, had been elected president in 1948.

Democrats have largely backed Reid, though their support hasn't been absolute: Sen. Russ Feingold said this week he "not decided whether these comments merit" Reid's resignation from the leadership.

"They're very unfortunate," said Feingold. "They should have never been said. So, I need to think about it."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has a longtime, cordial relationship with his Democratic counterpart, elected not to call for Reid's resignation at a news conference today, telling reporters "that's an issue for the Democratic conference." The comments were taken as tacit support for the majority leader.

Reid has signaled that he has no plans to step down. He is facing an uphill battle in his 2010 reelection campaign, with political analyst Stuart Rothenberg today moving his race to the "Lean Takeover" column.

More on Harry Reid:

Obama: Harry Reid's "Inartful" Words Don't Matter
Harry Reid: I'm "Not Going to Dwell" on Race Comments
GOP Sen. Ensign Stands Behind Harry Reid
Harry Reid & Son Both Battling in Nevada
Bob Schieffer: Reid Will Survive ... 'til Election Day
Unpacking Harry Reid's "Racist" Comments
Reid Apologizes for "Negro Dialect" Remark
Crawford: Racism Doesn't Always have a Southern Drawl
Are Clinton Comments "More Objectionable" Than Reid's?
60 Minutes: More Revelations from "Game Change"

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by democracy1 January 12, 2010 9:28 PM EST: It basically boils down to this simple fact: A majority of Americans ARE not as comfortable with a darker skinned candidate who "sounds black". Why is stating the obvious "racist"? Stating the obvious about racism is NOT the same as BEING racist.; Reply to this comment


by ellenbrandtphd January 12, 2010 9:08 PM EST: Centrists - Who We Are and What We Stand For

Extremists have become so loud, they?re deafening. And because they shout in perfect sound bites, the media birddog their every rant, however irresponsible or outrageous.

But we believe the political tide?s about to turn with a vengeance. No matter their party affiliation or lack thereof, Americans are disgusted with those who harass to harass, obstruct to obstruct, tear down to tear down. Compromise, consensus, bridge-building, and respect for differing viewpoints have been the hallmarks of American life as long as there?s been an America. We?re certain they will be again.

Please read: The Rest of U.S. ? Who We Are and What We Stand For

http://newcentristera.wordpress.com/2010/01/06/the-rest-of-u-s-who-we-are-and-what-we-stand-for/

If you like it, please circulate to your family, friends, and colleagues. Or perhaps to your favorite extremist!; Reply to this comment


by retm-w January 12, 2010 8:55 PM EST: Mabe they are looking for a special Reid deal, like Nelson got. I'm sure Harry wouldn't mind handing out more of the taxpayers money.; Reply to this comment

by stn_sage January 12, 2010 7:51 PM EST

Oh, great! Just what he needs...support from two morally/ethically, if not legally...corrupt Republicans! The adulterous Mr. Ensign and his enabler Tom Coburn...this ought to help finish off Mr. Reid!

Whatever is he thinking...or not thinking?! He doesn't deserve to be in the Senate!

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by Mortar_29 January 12, 2010 8:35 PM EST: Sadly, I have to agree!


by CBSisCommunist2 January 12, 2010 7:13 PM EST: any of them "light skin without ebonics"...?; Reply to this comment


by kansas1946 January 12, 2010 7:08 PM EST: I don't like Harry Reid and would be glad if he stepped down but I also am tired of the "gotcha" game. What he said may make some folks cringe, but he is probably right. If Obama had been talking "home boy" he woudn't have been elected.; Reply to this comment


by whosaid1 January 12, 2010 6:20 PM EST: Both Senators Coburn and Ensign are unbelievably naive! While I agree that their comments are the way "it" should be...the sad true is that it "ain't". If either of them think the democrats would reciprocate ...he is too "dumb" to represent the people of his state. Have they not learned anything in their time in Washington ??!!!; Reply to this comment