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GOP lies attempt to slime Reid -- and most Americans in the process
When I met Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in December and had a chance to conduct a lengthy interview, I came away with the impression that, while I might not agree with his approach to every policy issue, he is a genuinely tough guy who, far more often than not, will continue speaking hard truth to the Republican party and the White House. I believe Reid has fulfilled that estimate in his first few months as majority leader, no matter how much he understands that the GOP slime machine will distort every word he says -- and even some that he never said -- to bolster their failed agenda.
The latest example began almost immediately after Reid said on the Senate floor that, under the watch of George W. Bush, the Iraq war "is lost." Actually, here's exactly what Reid said on April 19:
"Conditions in Iraq get worse by the day. Now we find ourselves policing another nation's civil war. We are less secure from the many threats to our national security than we were when the war began. As long as we follow the President's path in Iraq, the war is lost.
"But there is still a chance to change course and we must change course. No one wants us to succeed in the Middle East more than I do. But there must be a change of course. Our brave men and women overseas have passed every test with flying colors. They have earned our pride and our praise. More important, they deserve a strategy worthy of their sacrifice."
So that's what Reid really said. But what are the Republicans telling people?
John Cornyn (R-TX) one of the most onerous of the GOP liars, jumped right at Reid after his statement with this:
“It is now abundantly clear why the Democrat leadership in Congress has been holding hostage the critical funding that our troops need for body armor and weaponry – they simply do not believe our military can win, and they are no longer willing to stand behind them. I think that is both wrong and irresponsible. The Senate Democrat Leader is certainly entitled to his opinion, but his public lack of confidence in our troops is an insult to their deep sacrifice and a sign of encouragement to our terrorist enemies."
That's a real Republican two-for-one deal: Cornyn tells people that Reid was being critical of the troops and not Bush and throws in the routine bit about Democrats supporting the terrorists.
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