Democrats continue to try to avoid a vote on offshore drilling that they are destined to lose, instead preferring to schedule votes on meaningless measures that are defeated anyway. Now even the Washington Post is calling on Senators Reid and Pelosi to allow votes on new drilling. And how does Senator Reid respond? By attacking reporters who have the temerity to ask him about it:
Reid, D-Nev., may look like a mild-mannered man, but when he’s backed into a corner, this former boxer comes out swinging. On Thursday, the object of his ire was the Fourth Estate as he lashed at reporters quizzing him over stalled Democratic energy proposals. At a “pen and pad” – a more casual, off-camera chat with reporters – Reid attacked and scolded correspondents in attendance, telling them he’s “really disappointed” in how they have been writing his energy plans, which include a bill to reign in speculation in the energy futures markets… Reporters tried to pin Reid down Thursday on the amendment issue. In the exchange, Reid told one reporter she should “watch the [Senate] floor more often. … You might learn something.” Another reporter explained she had watched the Senate proceedings and said it was not clear he was … offereing separate amendments, to which Reid asked the reporter if she “spoke English.” “Turn up your Miracle Ear,” Reid added.
Reid is famously thin-skinned; no doubt he’s feeling the pressure on an issue that’s both hurting Democrats and prompting criticism of his leadership. When it comes to short temper, I guess it takes one to know one.
