(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
"I'm not going to dwell on this anymore," Reid told reporters from his home state of Nevada. "I've apologized to the president. I've apologized to everyone in the sound of my voice that I could have used a better choice of words."
In the new book "Game Change," it was revealed that during the 2008 presidential campaign, Reid privately stated that he believed Mr. Obama was a good candidate because he is a "light-skinned" African American "with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one."
Reid quickly apologized, and the president responded that he accepted the apology without question.
The Senate leader said today he is "very proud" to have been "if not the first, one of the first people to suggest that Barack Obama run for president." He also said a number of his fellow Democrats and minority leaders have shown their support for him in the wake of this news.
Now, however, it is time to get back to work, Reid said.
"We'll get health care done in the next couple of weeks."
Read more:
Washington Unplugged: Are Bill Clinton Race Comments "More Objectionable" Than Reid's?
Unpacking Harry Reid's "Racist" Comments
Jan Crawford: Racism Doesn't Always have a Southern Drawl
Obama: Harry Reid's "Inartful" Words Don't Matter
Harry Reid: I'm "Not Going to Dwell" on Race Comments
Bob Schieffer: Reid Will Survive ... 'til Election Day
Harry Reid Gets Support from Eric Holder
Dianne Feinstein: Reid Comments a "Closed" Matter
Republicans Keep the Heat on Harry Reid
Reid Apologizes for "Negro Dialect" Remark
60 Minutes: More Revelations from "Game Change"
Watch the Full "60 Minutes" Report
Harry Reid: I'm "Not Going to Dwell" on Race Comments
/ CBS News
"I'm not going to dwell on this anymore," Reid told reporters from his home state of Nevada. "I've apologized to the president. I've apologized to everyone in the sound of my voice that I could have used a better choice of words."
In the new book "Game Change," it was revealed that during the 2008 presidential campaign, Reid privately stated that he believed Mr. Obama was a good candidate because he is a "light-skinned" African American "with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one."
Reid quickly apologized, and the president responded that he accepted the apology without question.
The Senate leader said today he is "very proud" to have been "if not the first, one of the first people to suggest that Barack Obama run for president." He also said a number of his fellow Democrats and minority leaders have shown their support for him in the wake of this news.
Now, however, it is time to get back to work, Reid said.
"We'll get health care done in the next couple of weeks."
Read more:
Washington Unplugged: Are Bill Clinton Race Comments "More Objectionable" Than Reid's?
Unpacking Harry Reid's "Racist" Comments
Jan Crawford: Racism Doesn't Always have a Southern Drawl
Obama: Harry Reid's "Inartful" Words Don't Matter
Harry Reid: I'm "Not Going to Dwell" on Race Comments
Bob Schieffer: Reid Will Survive ... 'til Election Day
Harry Reid Gets Support from Eric Holder
Dianne Feinstein: Reid Comments a "Closed" Matter
Republicans Keep the Heat on Harry Reid
Reid Apologizes for "Negro Dialect" Remark
60 Minutes: More Revelations from "Game Change"
Watch the Full "60 Minutes" Report