Las Vegas – In a radio interview in which he lamented the GOP filibusters and a gridlock in Congress, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he hopes Republicans who oppose the president do so “based on substance and not the fact that he’s an African-American.”
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The comment came Friday during the Nevada lawmaker’s appearance on Las Vegas-based National Public Radio affiliate KNPR (http://bit.ly/16AheWv), and drew swift response from Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, who is black.
“I hope Sen. Reid will realize the offensive nature of his remarks and apologize to those who disagree with the president’s policies because of one thing — they are hurting hardworking American families,” Scott said in a statement.
Reid took listener questions during the segment, including one from a man who identified himself as a Las Vegas resident named Sam. The caller asked Reid whether he thought congressional Republicans’ actions were just trying to block President Barack Obama’s success.
Reid recalled Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, who said in an interview during Obama’s first term that his most important goal was ensuring Obama wasn’t re-elected.
“They haven’t changed much,” Reid said. “It’s been obvious they’re doing everything they can to make him fail.”
McConnell’s original comment, published in the National Journal on Oct. 23, 2010, came along with a discussion about lowering spending and lowering the national debt. He added later in the interview that, “I don’t want the president to fail; I want him to change.”
In the talk with KNPR host Dave Becker, the majority leader described an “absolute gridlock” in Congress and troubles getting legislation through the Republican-controlled House.
Reid said the tea party represents a small percentage of Americans while wielding outsized power in the House, and he compared members to the anarchists that helped spark World War I.
While these “modern anarchists” don’t resort to violence, he said, “they have the same philosophy as the early anarchists. They do not believe in government.
“Anytime something bad happens to government that’s a victory for them.”
That is an idiotic and way over the top accusation. Race is all we can point a finger at? How about all of the black republicans, are they also against Obama due to race?
Black Republicans can be counted on the fingers and in order to remain with the “gang” they follow the leader. The President proposed programs originally submitted by the Republicans and are rejected by the same Republicans. One particular Senator recently questioned a black candidate for a federal position and his questions came out like the Spanish inquisitor. Obama will sully the so far lily white line of former Presidents including one impeached. On this website there were posted enough racist comments including the “schwarze” adjective.Jews have the same prejudice like their white counterparts and it came out in full force as interethic hatred in the Ghetto Lodz.
Pulling out the race card. I’m not surprised. Anyone who argues with someone who happens to be black doesn’t make him a racist! And let’s not forget Abraham Lincoln was a republican!! The democrats wanted to keep slavery.
reid is a fool, he was the one that called barack an articulate black man,
Internecine hatred came forth in the Ghetto Litzmannstadt with rejoicing over the “wiszedlena” or Aussiedlung of the Yekkes, and in Buchenwald the Hungarian Jews did not like the “Lengyel” szydow. The grade varies some call “shochrim” and others call schwarze but use utilize them in their homes, kitchen and catering. Israel manifests internecine hatred between the chilonim and dati and if not for the Arabs the internecine fight would be violent as manifested in the beating of a chareidi?? IDF soldier. Beard and and pyes are not welcome in Kfar Gileadi and an man named Krauss clad in a gartel , kapote and of course white yarmulke in his interview with a Spiegel blasted the illegal entity of Israel. How about your erliche friends the Neturei Karta praying for the dismantling of Israel and offering silver to Iranian Premier while Natanyahu presses for military action against Iran.
The Democrats are getting desperate. This is about policies that will affect the future of America. Not about his skin color. “Making sure he’s not re-elected” has always been the modus operandi of the opposing party.
this is so irresponsible of reid.
No, the anti-Obama movement will not be about race. It might include his rush to make an issue of race when it isn’t, and thus incite the elements that (recall Dinkins) will need to vent their frustrations. And Federal policy is to permit this violence. That will be an issue raised by the constituency, even if the politicians avoid it.