The Trouble with Harry

Senator Harry Reid (D, Nevada) has been a reasonably effective leader for Senate Democrats, so I hate to say this, but he's got to go. What he, and at least 32 two other members of Congress did was to accept money from Indian gambling interests to lobby Interior Secretary Norton to disapprove of a competive tribes gambling plan. This is a gross abuse of the public trust indistinguishable from bribery. It is worse than that, because it was all part of the Jack Abramoff/Ralph Reed Indian gambling shakedown racket. John Solomon and Sharon Theimer of AP have the story here.

Most of those involved are Republicans, including the big three of the House: Hastert, Delay, and Blunt, as well as Senator Trent Lott, but several Democrats, including Reid, are also implicated. Some of those claim to oppose gambling "on principle" but that can hardly be squared with accepting large contributions from competitive gambling interests.

Reid should resign as Democratic Senate leader, or, if he refuses, be removed. If Democrats are going to run against Republican corruption (and we must), then we must first cleanse our own ranks.

Goodbye Harry. We liked you. Sorry you turned out to be a crook.

Now go.

Comments

  1. Anonymous9:55 PM

    Harry's got to go for more reasons than the serious one of his taking a bribe.

    He's a weak leader consistently searhing for "copy cat" sound bites he claims his own.

    We can and must do better for the sake of Nevada and the nation. Get rid of the bum!

    ReplyDelete

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