The Nevada Democrat is locked in a tight race with Republican challenge Sharron Angle.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid speaks during a Nevada Senate debate with Republican challenger Sharron Angle on October 14.Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is embroiled in a contentious race to get reelected against Republican challenger Sharron Angle. A recent Rasmussen poll shows the Nevada Democrat trailing Angle by three percentage points (50 to 47).
In explaining why he thinks the race is so close, Reid told MSNBC's Ed Schultz last week, "People have been hurting, and I understand that, and it doesn't give them comfort or solace for me to tell them, you know, but for me we'd be in a worldwide depression. They want to know what I've done for them, and that's why it's important for me, any chance I get, to say that my number one job is to create jobs."
National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Brian Walsh called Reid's 'worldwide depression' remark the 'height of arrogance.'
"If he was so busy saving the rest of the world, why didn't he take the time to help save Nevada as well?" Walsh told The Associated Press, referring to Nevada's unemployment rate, which was hovering around 14 percent in September, the highest in the nation.
"It's clear that Sen. Reid was making the point that he gets how people are struggling and that long explanations about policy aren't what they are looking for, but that we have passed policies that have prevented a bad situation from becoming worse," responded Reid spokesman Jon Summers.
What do you think of Reid's remark? Leave your comments below.
» Fox News: Reid: But for Me, We'd Be in Worldwide Depression
» AP: GOP criticizes Reid's worldwide depression remark
» Las Vegas Journal-Review: GOP seizes on Reid remark he prevented "worldwide depression" | Editorial
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