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Jul. 19, 2007
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Specter calls Reid 'rude,' 'dictatorial'

By TONY BATT
STEPHENS WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON -- In unusually harsh personal criticism on the Senate floor, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., on Wednesday accused Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of being "rude," "dictatorial" and "ineffective."

The outburst by Specter came after the Senate's rare all night-session and emotional vote on an amendment calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

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    • Reid interrupted Specter after he said it was a "ridiculous waste of time" to keep the Senate in session all night Tuesday to debate the amendment, which Specter opposed.

    "I would bet, with all due respect to my friend, the senior senator from Pennsylvania, that the people of Pennsylvania want a change of course in an intractable war that we find ourselves in in Iraq," Reid said.

    As Specter tried to respond, Reid called for a vote on an education bill and left the chamber.

    Specter waited in the Senate for half an hour until the next break in the action, then spoke again in sharp criticism.

    "When the majority leader cut me off, and then made reference to what the people of Pennsylvania want ... I at least ought to have an opportunity to reply because I think I know more about Pennsylvania than Senator Reid does," Specter said.

    To be interrupted like that, Specter said, was "rude, to say the minimum."

    "And if the United States Senate doesn't run on comity, on courtesy, on basic decency, the United States Senate cannot run at all," Specter said.

    Specter said former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., told him that Reid did the same thing to him a couple of days ago.

    "Senator Lott said the majority leader wanted to publicly apologize. Senator Lott said, 'Not necessary.' Public apologies don't mean much."

    Specter said Reid approached him after the interruption and said he would make sure Specter would be recognized to speak first after the vote on the education bill.

    "I said, 'No thanks, I can get myself recognized,' " Specter said. "Those practices (by Reid), I think, are not only rude, but dictatorial."

    Specter then turned to the overnight session.

    "We had a meaningless, insulting all-night session for absolutely no purpose. It was an indignity to the senators who were kept here all night to vote," Specter said.

    That made the Senate "the laughing stock of the world."

    "The majority leader said the purpose was to show the American people that he would not back down. Well, I think he showed the American people how ineffective he is," Specter said.

    Responding to Specter's comments, Reid spokesman Jon Summers said tensions are high because of the debate on the Iraq war.

    "Everyone is frustrated with the situation, particularly Senator Reid, who is frustrated with Republicans who continue to block votes on changing course in Iraq and bringing a responsible end to the war," Summers said.

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    Bob wrote on August 16, 2007 12:40 AM: Sen. Reid is the epitome of what OUR politicians now are. It's all about them, their power, their greed, their land deals, their agenda. I can't even stand to hear this lawyer talk any more. I'm ashamed to be from Nevada when it relates to being connected to this slickster.

    It's too bad that we can't reason with terrorists and criminals, and that we need to be militarily strong. However, the world does not run on ideas and concepts. This only happens in the minds of politicians who are working towards their own agenda. Wake up Harry and face reality. Support our troops and help protect the innocent people of the world. I would however prefer that you please retire sir.


    Get Serious wrote on August 15, 2007 11:53 AM: Resist Tyranny: thanks for providing us with some insight into your maturity and intelligence by demonstrating your religious bigotry. It's always nice when idiots self identify.

    You and Harry Reid share at least one thing in common.


    cooper Boyd wrote on July 24, 2007 06:51 PM: give them hell harry the shoe is on the democrats feet you are the man.all republicans should be in iraq defending their ideas.id rather have a sister in a brothel than have a brother who is a republican.


    Benda wrote on July 22, 2007 09:42 AM: I have never seen a worst gaggle of politicians than the present bunch of buffoons in the U.S. Senate! Many of them are running for President - and continue to collect their paychecks while they campaign, unlike Bob Dole, who resigned when he ran. They investigate, pontificate, accuse, and subpoena, all of them salivating when the cameras appear. They are out of touch and clueless, and have turned their chamber into Circus Senatus. Trying to make sense of their mission is incomprehensible, unless you understand that it is all about them - and not us.


    donald oesau wrote on July 21, 2007 07:54 PM: The entire senate is a joke. They should all be sent home.


    bob schmitz wrote on July 20, 2007 09:41 PM: harold is too stupid to know how stupid he is Viet Vet,


    Daniel Cripe wrote on July 20, 2007 09:34 PM: I think the Democrats and especially Senator Reid do not have a clue how to run this country or what most citizens want in regarding keeping our country secure. They are misguided and ineffective "leaders."


    Resist Tyranny wrote on July 20, 2007 09:32 PM: Reid is a dumb ass Moron (Mormon). To hell with the cultist.


    Ronald Ziarnick wrote on July 20, 2007 08:38 PM: Senatoe Reid is just showing how big an innefective jerk he is.


    Don wrote on July 20, 2007 08:17 PM: Throw all the bums out! Fire every staffer, and every bureaucrat in Washington DC. Start with the State Department and work your way out. Fire everyone in Washington, DC and start over somewhere else. While we are at it, cut off every penny of support to the UN and run those bums out of the country completely. Then finally cut off all funding for the GOP, the DNC, the ACLU and freeze George Sorros' assets and redistribute equally to every household in America.


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