Reid calls DNC ad 'waste of money'

Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 1:38 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Democrats, Ads

From NBC's Ken Strickland and Mark Murray
In his weekly off-camera session with reporters, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid

strongly criticized the Democratic National Committee for running health-care TV ads in states with Democratic senators.

When a reporter described the ads, Reid said, "I've never heard a word about it. I think it's a waste of money." He added, "It's a waste of money to have Democrats running ads against Democrats."

In fact, however, the DNC ad isn't an attack on Democrats. It's running in states with conservative Democratic senators -- Arkansas (Blanche Lincoln, Mark Pryor), Florida (Bill Nelson), Indiana (Evan Bayh), Nebraska (Ben Nelson), Louisiana (Mary Landrieu), and North Dakota (Kent Conrad) -- with this message: "It's time for health-care reform." That's it.

*** UPDATE *** Reid's office sends this clarification: "Senator Reid was led to believe by the question posed to him that the DNC was attacking members of his Caucus. In fact, the DNC is running non-specific call to action ads in states with both Democratic and Republican Senators, an effort he has no problem with."

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Comments

Why do we have to push Democratic lawmakers to do something that's favored by 72% of Americans and was part of the party platform as well as a prime goal of the Democratic President?

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 1:49 PM)

Dear Harry Reid:

It is interesting how the only time you can find your spine is when you are talking down to "other Democrats".

Under your "leadership", what exactly do we have to show? More caving, capitulating, and mealy mouthed mumbo jumbo.

If you lifetime Congress people don't get your collective butts in gear and REPRESENT the folks who elected you, we will find someone who will.

And don't even get me started on what is a "waste of money". We can start with your salary.

Tired of the insiders thinking we are all stupid (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 1:50 PM)

"We need to pass this stimulus plan quickly, because if we don't, unemployment may rise above 8%."

BHO Washington DC - February/2009

The President’s economic advisors predicted that unemployment would rise to 9 percent by 2010 if Congress did not pass the stimulus bill, but that with the stimulus unemployment would stay below 8 percentage points.

Congress passed the stimulus bill in February 2009 and the President has repeated his claims. Asked when the public should begin to judge the effects of the stimulus, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said “I think we should begin to judge it now.”

In that case, the stimulus must be judged a failure. The figure above shows the projections the administration made in January with and without the stimulus bill, and the actual unemployment rate since then. Unemployment has risen not only above what the President’s advisors predicted would happen if the stimulus passed, but above what they estimated would occur without the stimulus. By the President’s own measure, the stimulus has failed.

Just more Lies, or un-truths Nashville_Fan, from our leader of lies - - - BoBo Obama

Nashville_fan - go have another drink of BoBo Berry Kool-Aid - you'll believe the lies again as soon as it "kicks-in"

BoBo Obama is a LIAR (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 1:51 PM)

News item: WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- U.S. Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., a leader of fiscally conservative House Democrats, said Wednesday a House plan to overhaul the U.S. health-care system is losing support and will be stuck in committee without changes.

"Last time I checked, it takes seven Democrats to stop a bill in the Energy and Commerce Committee," Ross told reporters after a House vote. "We had seven against it last Friday; we have 10 today."

=============

Not even getting the bill out of committee. Talk about poor leadership by Pelsoi. She made public a HCR plan that cannot even get out of one of her committees?

New Jersey Bob (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 1:52 PM)

And if anyone knows a thing or two on how to waste money, it's Harry Reid.

T Black, NH (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 1:53 PM)

Reid is such a disrespectful moron...

matthew (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 1:55 PM)

The DNC is now running ads against Democrats? Boy, I bet that makes Lincoln, Pryor, Bayh, et.al., feel good about being a Democrat.

Eating Their Own (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 1:55 PM)

It's not time for Socialized Healthcare. It's time for people to stop expecting hand-outs from the government. Be responsible. Get an education, get a job and pay your own premiums.

Entitlements need to stop. Plenty of "eeevil" rich people give to charities to help the less fortunate.

Lynchmob, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:00 PM)

At least the woman in the ad is hot. That's something.

Andy P, Oakland (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:01 PM)

A TaxPayer: '...So what is anybody doing about the run away costs of government?...'

We got rid of Stupid George and DeadEye Dick
We're not invading any other countries, any more

and Hopefully we're CANCELING the F-22 and Star Wars

MSierra, SF

And yet the Obama deficit is four times more then Bush's record deficit from last year.

Wanna try again?

A TaxPayer (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:04 PM)

Tired of the insiders thinking we are all stupid (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 1:50 PM)

Amen!

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:04 PM)

"Nashville_fan - go have another drink of BoBo Berry Kool-Aid - you'll believe the lies again as soon as it "kicks-in"

-BoBo Obama is a LIAR
========================================
Dear BoBo:

Clearly you know you are lying since you won't print the quote of the President saying that unemployment won't rise above 8%.

Not one person on this board has been able to print the quote.

The quote doesn't exist.

And you know it.

The truth will set you free.

Nashville_fan (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:04 PM)

Just think, they could have spent that money informing us where all those jobs are that Obama promised......

Willing to Work (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:05 PM)

The DNC is now running ads against Democrats? Boy, I bet that makes Lincoln, Pryor, Bayh, et.al., feel good about being a Democrat. Eating Their Own (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 1:55 PM)

Let's not forget that this is how we 'acquired' Arlen Specter. Although the Blue Dogs are holding us all back!

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:06 PM)

The DNC is now running ads against Democrats? Boy, I bet that makes Lincoln, Pryor, Bayh, et.al., feel good about being a Democrat.
- Eating Their Own
===========================================
To all of you who have been playing political games for years, this doesn't have ANYTHING to do with being a Democrat or a Republican.

This is about standing with the people or standing with health insurance companies.

Those who choose health insurance companies are going to hear about it come election time, regardless of which "party" they are using to advance their careers at the expense of their constituents.

Nashville_fan (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:07 PM)

It is storming like crazy here and I keep getting kicked out, we keep losing power. Get this. In the middle of July in the hot ass State of Alabama. It will be 50-55 degrees on tomorrow morning for the next few days.

It is unheard of in this State. So we aren't experiencing climate change???

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:08 PM)

See what happens to democrats that dont drink the BoBo Berry Kool-Aid and follow BoBo Obama's socialist agenda...

They run ads against you.
They use Democratic Funds to run Ads against Democrats that have a Opinion not in line with the 4th reich.

BoBo Obama depression (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:10 PM)

Haha....The extreme left is fighing against the moderate wing of their party. Liberal left against everyone.

John B from Des Moines: Why do we have to push Democratic lawmakers to do something that's favored by 72% of Americans and was part of the party platform as well as a prime goal of the Democratic President?

Once again, more propoganda. The public wants "free" health care so yes, 72% support this "public" option. But if you ask a quick secondary question about are you willing to support this if it causes trillions in spending at a time when we're in recession, the answer is quite different.

Sure I would like great health care that's free. Who wouldn't. But I have a family and I don't want to indebt them for decades to come while at the same time getting rationed health care.

Don't buy these fairy tales about how health care will improve with the public option. We need to reform health care by lowering cost so that more people can affort health care.

DG, Houston, TX (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:13 PM)

72% of americans do not favor this plan, it is actually 49-44 against it. that is why it is getting so much resistance. These reps know they will loose their jobs if they back this pig.

Va Ind (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:20 PM)

Maybe Harry Reid has some sense, after all.

Buck the sysytem, Harry. Your cronies have a habit of throwing money away. Buck the system.

Bad Chihuahua (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:23 PM)

The DNC is now running ads against Democrats? Boy, I bet that makes Lincoln, Pryor, Bayh, et.al., feel good about being a Democrat.
Eating Their Own (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 1:55 PM

You betcha...Lincoln, Pryor, Bayh better feel good about being a Democrat...especially Bayh - he is such a turncoat - I do not trust him as I did not trust Birch Bayh! Vote for Health Care Reform! Dance with the ones that brung you!

JJ Young, Cary, NC (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:35 PM)

Speaking of health care. Humana her in Louisville, KY is telling its employees that if the Public Option comes to fruition they will lose their jobs and these employees are very scared. Just what Humana is trying to do! They are spending $1M a day for negative ads against the Public Option. They know a lot of these people do not listen to the news nor read much above the sports page or do a crossword puzzle, but they surely watch TV and they are taking full advantage of that. Not only are these people not Patriotic Americans but they are like swine going to the trough! This is the third time today that I am tring to get this letter through.

Cheryl Allison Campbell Louisville, KY (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:37 PM)

it's time harry reid do the job this ad is doing; we don't need anymore wishy-washy senators placating those not understanding the public's will.

sbv creswell, oregon (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:52 PM)

It's just ego that makes senators think that the ads are "targeting" them. The senators know that people want them to change their position. The ads are "targeting" the people in their jurisdictions so that the senators can have the courage to make the right decision. Since the senators can't find the courage from within, hopefully their constituents will have provide them some of their own.

Brian Sayrs, Spokane, Washington (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:53 PM)

Yes, Harry, wonder how it feels to be stabbed in the back by Obama and company. The man promised compromise, bipartisanship, transparency, a new way of doing business in Washington. BS...on most of that. If you cross Obama and his chicago thugs, this is what you get. Just ask the head of JP Morgan who wanted to pull out of the BOA deal and was threatened by Obama insiders. If the President has a cabinet with positions approved by Congress, why does he need all these czars? They are accountable to nobody; we're paying for their services and can't be told what they're doing. And, most of these ppl are operating illegally since they have not been approved by Congress. Just another way for Obama to sneak around and do their illegal CRAP. How long will it take for some to be able to say out loud that Obama flat our lied during the campaign. He's broken so many promises and now he even breaks laws and threatens ppl to get his way. He's like a spoiled brat....no he's acting like the Chicago hood ppl tried to show him to be but others didn't want to believe.

no on national health care 1.877.SOBuSOB (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:08 PM)

What is harder to find: a dodo bird or a republican with a heart? There is no such thing as a republican with a heart, but we have bones showing the dodo bird did live.
What is rarier than a republican with a heart: a republican with courage to speak their own mind. These hiveminders are told what to say, think, and do every day by Lord Limpballs.

WHAT A PATHETIC LIFE THESE LOSERES LIVE.

REPUBLICANS ONLY LIVE TO SERVE LIMPBALLS AND HATE THEIR FELLOW AMERICANS AND NEVER SERVE OUR COUNTRY.

IT REALLY MUST SUCK TO BE SO FILLED WITH HATE.

PATRIOTISM AND FREEDOM ARE NOT FOUND IN THE REPUBLICAN DICTIONARY.

COWARDICE AND SUBSERVANT ARE THE REPUBLICAN STRONG POINTS.

NO PATRIOTS ALLOWED IN THE RPUBLICAN PARTY.

bobf (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:10 PM)

Looks like "bobf" is the one filled with hate. That, and a juvenile "look at me!" habit of typing in all caps. Go play outside, SpongeBob CapsPants!

Curtis E. Flush, Denver, CO (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 4:14 PM)

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