Obama to Reid: Fix it

Posted: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 5:22 PM by Carrie Dann
Filed Under: Congress

From NBC's Ken Strickland
When President-elect Obama met with Senate Leadership on Monday, Obama encouraged Majority Leader Harry Reid to find a resolution to the Roland Burris controversy, according to a Democratic source.

In a private meeting, the two men agreed that on the need for an "amicable resolution" so that Democrats might continue to focus on the more important issues facing the country.

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Comments

hey, you guys skipped step 2! (step one: fix, step two: it; step three: fix it!) (nice SNL recall, by the way)

B (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 5:31 PM)

So which is it Obama? Yesterday you said the Burris problem was a "Senate matter". Today your harping on Reid to "Fix it". If Obama would have shown some leadership about a month ago, he would have went on record saying Illinois should hold a special election to choose the next Senator from Illinois. Obama was silent because he knew that calling for an election probably would have given the seat to the Republicans. Obama is starting to look like just another politician. Nothing special at all about him. No change.

No Sale (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 5:34 PM)

What you are saying is that Oabma told reid to stop the BS and spending time on an issue that should be resolved b ythe people of Illinois and get his head out of his ass because there are much more important matters at hand.

I don't know about Reid. Having watched him closely for the last couple of years I'm not so sure he is the right person to be in any kind of leadership role for the Dems. He and Pelosi may need to move aisde and let a new generation with some back bone and common sense take the reins. I have this feeling that Reid at least is going to be a pain in Obama's side.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 5:34 PM)

Reid should promptly turn around and tell Obama to fix his choice for the CIA. Panetta? That's the best guy? That's the best this country can come up with? We can, and should do better.

Calvin Thomas (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 5:36 PM)

old harry reid said he doesn't work for obama. he works with him and he would get obama straight if need be. hey harry, who is the leader of the dem party? harry needs to go. he is so incompetent. as a moderate independent i just don't get why the dem's don't have the guts to have a special vote to put in a smarter and stronger majority leader in the senate.

ace (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 5:37 PM)

{{ In a private meeting, the two men agreed that on the need for an "amicable resolution" }}

Here's an idea with a little novelty to it. Why not follow the law?

To Many Lawyers (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 5:37 PM)

Compromise is good. Harry Reid needs to compromise so we can move on to MORE IMPORTANT THINGS.

eagle1776 (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 5:39 PM)

What Obama is actually saying is "Harry, you fix it because I'm not capable."

And some Dems and ALL Republicans know that.

Mollyanna (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 5:59 PM)

Chuck Todd has many strong qualities as a journalist. He seems, to this veteran of many a "crisis" over the years, to be straight out of the ideal journalist book.
One of his most admirable qualities is not screaming. Then there is not snarking it up. How about the wonderful quality of taking a hyped story and getting to the real deal without unnecessary dramatic effect?

This guy is the journalist of our times. With a "no-drama" administration moving into town... well those are high hopes indeed, are they not?

We have reason to expect that Chuck will always be there with the straight story, one way or the other.

Finally, I suspect what is most disconcerting to the civilians about media types these days is the unleashed ego that stands in for intelligence. We used to call it whoring.

But there have always been a few gems among the silt; a few who had that old fashioned term:INTEGRITY.

Cronkite had it (on the air at least), the late Tim Russert could at least fake it, and so do all the best and brightest. Chuck is indeed one of these.

Thanks (MS)NBC!

Watching and Reading; Paying Attention (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 6:08 PM)

Yeah, Harry fix it so we can move on to more important things.

eagle1776 (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 6:30 PM)

to whom was it that Blagojavitch first offered the senate seat, Blaine or something ? Why don't you folks in the media speak with him about how he feels for doing what the Senate leadership told him to do if offered the position; turn Blago down and we will respect you for doing so and not seat whomever ignores our warning. It seems to me that he would have a case against Reid and Pelosi for leading him astray if they change their minds and seat Burris. I smell an injunction coming on.

Paul (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 6:31 PM)

You know what's really too bad? Roland Burris could have publicly rejected Blagojevich's offer - stating that he could not in good conscience currently accept the appointment as the governor - and thus his choice - remains under a cloud of suspicion. Burris could have taken the high road. Instead - what we're left with is a power grab that essentially keeps us all in the politics as usual mode. Sad.

Ken, San Francisco, CA (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 6:32 PM)

Duh?!

tom millar, Bonita Springs, Florida (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 6:43 PM)

I called Reid's office yesterday and told him to "fix it" Its waste of time
to talk about this issue and its really childish. After we gave majority is this what we elected for them?? Give me a break and Burris has the right to be seated.

A Nasir (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 7:07 PM)

"can't we all just get along" -- Rodney King

nuanced (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 7:31 PM)

I like it!! No Drama - just make it work!!

That's the kind of leadership we need. That's the kind of leadership we elected!!

Can't wait for 1/20/09!!

CdV LA CA (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 7:56 PM)

I'm so glad Obama was able to encourage Reid to find amicably. Our's is a nation which doesn't need added drama with the 2 wars, Middle East, and the economy. I also hope Reid doesn't get miffed anymore; since he said he doesn't work for PE Obama.

Hey Reid, you and Obama work for the people of this nation.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 8:15 PM)

until the whole burris circus made the democrats look like a bunch of control freaks even though they had no legal standing to turn him away, barack obama has said he didnt think they should seat burris and was siding with the democrats on their illegal decision.then today when asked about it he had the nerve to say"this is a senate mater"hello he is a senator remember ,"one president at a time".again obama only changes his opinion dwhen it makes him look bad.constitutionaly they had to seat him!funny how obama the harvard attorney sided on the wrong side of the law.reminds me of bush.so much for change.how fustrating to be a democrat lately!

deedee (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 9:11 PM)

is this true? because if it were true then how could all this happen on tues.if they had this alleged conversation monday. today barack had a whole different opinion than the past few weeks.burris and blago sure outsmarted all the democrats by simply abiding by the rules and the constitution.should this be what we have to look forward to?

california democrat (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 9:18 PM)

burris was legally appointed despite what republican mongers say it would be unconstitutional not to seat burris no matter what blago has done, beccause at this current time blago is still the governor of illinois like it or not republicans

greg remington (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 10:21 PM)

And there were questions that Obama wasn't ready to lead from day 1?? I'd say he's doing a pretty good job on day -13. He has an amazing focus. Gotta love the no-drama thing. People have a hard time coping with a politician who means what he/she says.

KirkinDallas (Sent Wednesday, January 07, 2009 10:48 PM)

Thanks Pres Elect Obama. It was certainly inevitable that Burris had the law on his side. It was a waste of time and too much rhetoric on the part of Reid. Blago is still the Gov and therefore has the right to appoint a replacement. I would have liked to have seen Jackson and am disappointed in Reid exercising his political prowess against him.

La-Nae Glenn, Upper Marlboro, MD (Sent Thursday, January 08, 2009 7:58 AM)

SOOOO reid is now Obama's OFFICIAL fixer?

Welcome to Changeville!

Ted K, Hyannis, MA (Sent Thursday, January 08, 2009 8:03 AM)

BURRIS & BLAGO WIN BY PLAYING THE RACE CARD! THE SENATE WHITE LIBERALS & OBAMA CAVED-IN TO THE BLACK LEADERS USING BURRIS AS A SYMBOL OF RACISM. WE ARE IN FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS IN WHICH "PLAYING THE RACE CARD" WILL BECOME THE NATIONAL PAST-TIME OF BLACK LEADERS --- UNTIL NON-BLACK AMERICA REBELS!

HERE WE GO AGAIN --- "PLAYING THE RACE CARD" ... (Sent Thursday, January 08, 2009 8:51 AM)

This entire specticle is worst than pre-k...its amazing how Burris has a friendly meeting with Reid and Durbin and one has to ask why didn't he meet with them in the first place instead of creating a congressional zoo affair. Burris didn't have to show up on the senate floor especially knowing he wouldn't be readily accepted...but he could have easily had the meeting first. I'm not taking sides here, but looking at the video of their meeting just confirms there was a better - more honorable approach.

Tyro B (Sent Thursday, January 08, 2009 9:00 AM)

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