Harry Reid's Latest Senate Tirade

Yesterday Senators from both parties gathered for a "press availability" to tout their bipartisanship in handling the legislation they think will solve the housing crisis. That spirit of bipartisanship lasted less than 24 hours:

Much has been made of the fact that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was once an amateur boxer, so it should come as no surprise that he's out there throwing a few punches on the Senate floor.

But Thursday afternoon he launched a tirade attacking Republicans on the housing bill, potentially endangering the delicate compromise Democrats have worked out with Republicans.

"I don't know what's going on here," Reid said, gritting his teeth.

Reid is angry that Republicans won't make an ageement on offering amendments to the housing bill, which is filled with tax credits for homebuilders, counseling on foreclosures and new bond authority for refinancing mortgages.

"I asked for a consent agreement that any amendment we have be related to the housing bill," Reid said. "Nah, can't do that."

Then Reid twisted the knife, saying Republicans were "still upset about the 2006 elections. That's what this is all about. ... They've to get over this."

Then Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), walked to the floor with his bellowing voice to complain that the foreclosure crisis "is as bad as Katrina and as bad as Iraq!"

Republicans are likely to scoff at the inflammatory rhetoric, and The Crypt will update with their reactions. But for at least a moment this afternoon, the Senate floor is actually interesting.

Republicans know the Dems will load the bill up with pork items so loosely related to the housing bill as to be ridiculous and are preventing the Dems from holding their little pork party. That's what has Reid and Kennedy so upset.


Plus, let's remember that the definition of bipartisanship, according to Dems and the media, is Republicans agreeing with whatever Democrats want. As far as I'm concerned, we need a lot less bipartisanship in Congress.