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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Reid: I Won't Be Obama Rubber Stamp

Senate majority leader vows Congress won't just be Obama's rubber stamp

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(Newser) – The 111th Congress is going to be a lot more than just a rubber stamp for Barack Obama's policies, Harry Reid tells the Hill. The Senate majority leader says Democrats must take care to avoid over-reaching. "If Obama steps over the bounds, I will tell him," the Democrat says. "I do not work for Barack Obama. I work with him.”

Reid aims to build bipartisan consensus and to restore to the legislative branch some of the power sapped from it by the aggressive Bush White House. "I don't believe in the executive power trumping everything," he says. "I believe in our Constitution, three separate but equal branches of government.” To keep the separation clear, Reid says, Joe Biden won't be allowed to sit in on Senate policy lunches the way Dick Cheney was.

Barack Obama, center, walks with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., left, and Vice-President elect Joe Biden, right, following a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.
Barack Obama, center, walks with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., left, and Vice-President elect Joe Biden, right, following a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Senate Majority leader Harry Reid, right, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speak during a news conference following their meeting with Barack Obama on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.
Senate Majority leader Harry Reid, right, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speak during a news conference following their meeting with Barack Obama on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President-elect Barack Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., walk to a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.
President-elect Barack Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., walk to a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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Do you know the complaints I’ve gained from Democrats now? They’re all jammed in there. They don’t have any room—the seats are too close together.
- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid

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4 comments
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edwb
Jan 7, 09 12:26 PM CST
Too bad Reid wasn't such a tough guy with Bush/Cheney. It is a little late to pretend he has a backbone. Both he and Pelosi are the weakest, most ineffective majority leaders imaginable. They should both be replaced with more qualified Democrats. Reply
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Mr.C
Jan 8, 09 1:57 AM CST
Glad to hear a Dem bash pelosi
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justme
Jan 8, 09 1:20 AM CST
Before their guy even takes office, the Dems are setting up to bash him. So much for effective leadership. Remember, Mr. Reid, you won't be able to blame the republicans this time. Reply
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Shannonals
Jan 8, 09 4:12 PM CST
I hear alot of trash talking, but I dioubt Reid will restirct Biden from anything Reply
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