June 11, 2006
Blogging from YearlyKos
As the Rolling Stones' 'Street Fighting Man' blared from the speakers, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid entered the massive ballroom at the Riviera Hotel to speak to 1,000 YearlyKos attendees and, it's safe to say, wasn't sure of precisely what reception he would get.
While the Senate Democratic Leader should by default feel somewhat comfortable addressing a conference filled with progressive activists and bloggers, Reid is a moderate-to-conservative Democrat and, with problems that attendees may have with some of his previous stances, the decision to appear was, to some extent, a political risk.
But the former boxer from tiny Searchlight, Nevada jumped gamely into the ring last night, played to a packed house and, by the time his 20-minute speech ended, Reid appeared to leave as a rock star, mobbed by so many well-wishers and autograph seekers that his phalanx of security could barely get him out of the room.
"As a former boxer, I know fighters when I see them -- you're fighters," said Reid to wild applause. "You're fighters for the truth. You've made a tremendous difference in our country and for the Democratic Party."
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As the Rolling Stones' 'Street Fighting Man' blared from the speakers, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid entered the massive ballroom at the Riviera Hotel to speak to 1,000 YearlyKos attendees and, it's safe to say, wasn't sure of precisely what reception he would get.
While the Senate Democratic Leader should by default feel somewhat comfortable addressing a conference filled with progressive activists and bloggers, Reid is a moderate-to-conservative Democrat and, with problems that attendees may have with some of his previous stances, the decision to appear was, to some extent, a political risk.
But the former boxer from tiny Searchlight, Nevada jumped gamely into the ring last night, played to a packed house and, by the time his 20-minute speech ended, Reid appeared to leave as a rock star, mobbed by so many well-wishers and autograph seekers that his phalanx of security could barely get him out of the room.
"As a former boxer, I know fighters when I see them -- you're fighters," said Reid to wild applause. "You're fighters for the truth. You've made a tremendous difference in our country and for the Democratic Party."
