Reid: "I Don't Work for Obama"

by: David Sirota

Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 10:00

Per my last post, check this out from Harry Reid's interview with the Hill newspaper:

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.

Of course, in the same interview Reid says Democrats must be "very, very careful" to avoid overreaching - which implies that Reid's comments about not "stepping over the bounds" is about Obama going too far to the left (signals suggest he has nothing to worry about on that score). So, when you put those two statements together, it may be that Reid is saying that he wants to assert congresional power in stopping Obama from moving left.

All of that said, I agree with the spirit of Reid's comments on executive power and Congress's constitutional responsibilities. We need an active Congress - not a politburo. A vibrant legislative branch is what democracy is all about.

David Sirota :: Reid: "I Don't Work for Obama"

Tags: (All Tags)

Print Friendly View

Send As Email

Reid: "I Don't Work for Obama" | 8 comments

Sher is a damn shame ol' Hapless Harry (4.00 / 5)

didn't come to that realization 4 years ago.

When it might have made a difference.

Nahhhhhh.........

by: konopelli @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:13:31 AM CST

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

"I do work for George W. Bush." - Harry Reid, from 2001-2009. (4.00 / 4)

For some reason, it seems that Obama has some pathological and deep-seated psychological need for Republicans to like him. Seriously. It's weird.

by: avenged savant @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 10:58:16 AM CST

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Too bad... (4.00 / 1)

He never practiced what he preaches with the Bush administration... Too bad the reporter lacked the testicular fortitude to ask him THAT!

by: yitbos96bb @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 12:08:52 PM CST

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Democratic Leadership Sighting (4.00 / 1)

Reid, Feinstein, Rockefeller, and Harmon have suddenly found their patriotic voice after remaining virtually silent throughout the Bush years.

by: Kane @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 13:01:23 PM CST

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

The Outlaw, Reid (4.00 / 1)

"...I believe in our Constitution..."

If he did Roland Burris would be seated in the Senate.

by: gbsavatar @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 13:09:19 PM CST

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Reid's a fraud (4.00 / 2)

I don't recall anything like this assertiveness when Bush was in the White House.

"We judge ourselves by our ideals; others by their actions. It is a great convenience." -- Howard Zinn

by: Master Jack @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 15:08:28 PM CST

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

No, he was too busy in the long line of Democrats with their knee pads on (0.00 / 0)

just waiting....with baited breath, to fellate George Walker Bush and then proudly tell the country about it. Well, after they used their handkerchiefs to wipe their mouths after Bush was "done."

Laura LOVED the past eight years. She didn't have to expend much energy in the bedroom with old George.

For some reason, it seems that Obama has some pathological and deep-seated psychological need for Republicans to like him. Seriously. It's weird.

by: avenged savant @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 16:11:38 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Reid 59 (0.00 / 0)

This is Harry Reid with 59 Senators not Harry Reid with 51 where he was hanging on Joe Lieberman's say-so. All in all, I'd rather seat Franken now and Burris than have Lieberman as the Senate chairman in charge of investigating government operations.

by: David Kowalski @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 18:23:00 PM CST

[ Parent ]