Continuing the parade of rehashed content, we turn our attention to politics. Unfortunately, disasters (mainly the weather) were the main focus of the US voter this year. A year where new ideas and independent thinking were embraced as much as little Cousin Oliver on the Brady Bunch.My recommendation for politician of the year is Harry Reid (D-NV). My expectations for Reid were remarkably low from the outset. What I didn't foresee is that Reid seems to walk the line of having strong conservative moral values (being a Mormon) and recognizing that Americans have the right to make their own decisions -- even if you disagree with them.
On talk shows, he represents the party very well, even on the most contentious issues. Speaking with calm perspective and applying heavy doses of common sense, Reid has shown consistent strength and leadership as the GOP has struggled with Iraq, Katrina, the Federal deficit, the environment, free trade, tsunami relief, . . . you get the picture.
His November Gambit struck me as pure genius as it was (1) the right thing to call for accountability in the Federal government and (2) caught the GOP off guard and highlighted the growing schism within the GOP.
Again, I was wrong on Harry Reid. Very wrong -- and I'm more than happy to admit it.
2 comments:
I'm with you. I was convinced Reid was going to be a repeat of the Daschle Disaster -- another Red State Democrat too scared of his own shadow to lead the party. But boy was I wrong. His personal background is actually perfect for the Dems right now, as it enables him to lead a Murtha-like charge on social issues from unassailable personal ground.
Let's hope 2006 sees him made Majority Leader.
Reid has definitely proven his badassitude. He's number one on my list of best 05 politicians.
I got to give a shout-out to Marky Mark Warner for scoring a number of boring but highly beneficial legislative wins, not to mention his extralong coattails in the VA guber race.
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