The following letter was sent to the Washington Post by the entire Democratic caucus in the Senate (including Lieberman).
Sen. Reid’s Fine Leadership
Washington Post
Letter to the Editor
Friday, April 27, 2007; A22We, the members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, contest the attack on Sen. Harry Reid’s leadership by David S. Broder in his April 26 column, “The Democrats’ Gonzales.”
In contrast to Mr. Broder’s insinuations, we believe Mr. Reid is an extraordinary leader who has effectively guided the new Democratic majority through these first few months with skill and aplomb.
The Democratic caucus is diverse, and Mr. Reid has worked tirelessly to make sure that the views of each member are heard and represented. No one ideology dominates the caucus, so that a consensus can be reached and unity achieved. It is hard to imagine a better model for leadership.
Because Mr. Reid has the support of members of the caucus, is a good listener and has an amazing ability to synthesize views and bring people together, the Senate has accomplished a great deal during his time as majority leader. Armed with his years of service in the Senate and with a mastery of procedure, Mr. Reid has led the chamber with a slim majority and a minority that is, at times, determined to stop legislation with which it disagrees.
In the first 100 days alone, we made great strides under his leadership on long-neglected legislation concerning stem cell research, the Sept. 11 commission’s recommendations and the minimum wage, to name three. In addition, under Mr. Reid’s leadership, we have fulfilled our obligation, left uncompleted by last year’s Republican-led Senate, to fund the federal government. He has accomplished all of this in the face of stiff opposition and with a commitment to giving ideas full opportunity for debate.
Finally, in this age of scripted politicians speaking only to their base or claiming that they “don’t recall” anything, the fact that Mr. Reid speaks his mind should be applauded, not derided. His brand of straight talk is honest, comes from the heart and speaks directly to the people.
THE MEMBERS
OF THE SENATE
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
That’s a nice rebuttal to David Broder’s baseless charges. No?
come one, come all, this could get interesting…
Having been some days in preparation
A splendid time is guaranteed for all
And tonight Mr.
B is topping the bill.
[apologies to j. lennon]
questions/comments can be submitted HERE…for pre-screening l suspect.
and he continues down the path of folly and insanity today, claiming that Straight Talkin’ McCain is back!
broder reminds me of some of the crazier, angrier seniors citizens at my job, the ones who believe the beatles hooked American kids on drugs.
Nice rebuttal — and good policy. They really needed to start responding to crap like this. When a caucus as diverse as the Senate Dems can speak with one voice, the Post had better listen…
Granted, Broder might not, but perhaps other, saner, wiser writers might.
that’s too good to be true,
our party politicians watching each others’ backs.
I would love to read a rebuttal to William Kristol, but I guess he’s not really human enough to justify even the recognition of complete rejection.
A little bitch-smacking goes a long way. The dems are finally learning the trade. The Republics did this for so long they forgot that it is easily copied. In this case, the slapping is deserved. I understand Obama delivered one to Brian Williams last night. These overpaid gas bags that consider themselves the ‘press’ have got to be put in their place by the professional politicians who by the nature of their trade have to have a thick skin. I doubt that the skin of the pundits is thicker than tissue paper.