We’re going to miss you, Harry:
The Senate minority leader, a Democrat from Nevada, is insulted that Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt, a Republican, isn’t returning his phone calls.
In a short but vicious letter to Blunt obtained by McClatchy, Reid lectures Blunt on what it means “to be a gentleman” and says he should be embarrassed not to call another senator back.
“To say I have been disappointed in you is a gross understatement,” Reid wrote. “I am stunned at your lack of collegiality.”
A spokesman for Blunt, Brian Hart, said Reid “forgot what collegiality means a while ago.”
The snit between veteran lawmakers may seem trivial, but it reveals the personal vitriol and grudge-holding behind partisan gridlock on Capitol Hill — especially in the throes of an election year.
Blunt is in a close race for re-election against Democratic challenger Jason Kander. Control of the Senate is at stake, and the Missouri contest is one of a handful of key races that Democrats need to win if they hope to wrest power from Republicans.
Reid sent the letter last Tuesday to express his anger over what he sees as Blunt’s refusal to hold a nomination hearing for Kate Marshall, a former federal prosecutor and state treasurer from Nevada. President Barack Obama appointed her to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission in May.
Reid had asked Obama nearly a year ago to consider Marshall for a position on the panel, which is responsible for adopting guidelines for voting systems across the country.
Reid accuses Blunt of blocking Marshall’s nomination out of vindictiveness toward Reid. As chairman of the Senate’s rules committee, Blunt controls the hearing schedule.
By the way, three cheers for Secretary of State & U.S. Senate Candidate Jason Kander (D. MO) for this:
Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander, who is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, said Thursday that it’s “time for the state legislature to step up” and pass a law allowing medical marijuana.
Kander came out in support of medical marijuana in a statement through the secretary of state’s office, not his Senate campaign. He was commenting on a judge’s ruling Wednesday that a proposal allowing medical marijuana in Missouri won’t go to voters because the number of petition signatures fell short.
“While supporters of this important proposal can try to put it on the ballot again in two years, I believe it is time for the state legislature to step up,” Kander said in the statement. “The Missouri General Assembly should pass legislation to allow medical marijuana so Missouri families that could greatly benefit from it don’t have to watch their loved ones continue suffering. If the legislature is not willing to do that, they should at least put the measure on the ballot themselves in 2018 to give Missouri voters the opportunity to decide on this issue.”
Reid and Kander have certainly been getting under Blunt’s skin that they’re making the Koch Brothers very nervous:
Americans for Prosperity has been busy trying to keep U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt from being defeated in November. The group announced Monday that they had contacted more than 700,000 Missouri voters by knocking on doors and phone banking.
They say Blunt’s opponent, Secretary of State Jason Kander, should not be elected because of his support for the Affordable Care Act, energy taxes, and a vote against tax cuts.
“Americans for Prosperity is on a mission to stop Jason Kander from taking more money out of the pockets of hardworking Missourians,” said Jeremy Cady, state director for AFP-MO. “In the past month alone our dedicated team of staff and volunteers have contacted over half a million voters either by phone or at the door to highlight how Kander’s agenda will cost Missouri families more.”
The group also sent out a mailer highlighting Kander’s links to President Barack Obama. It also highlights Kander’s support of the Affordable Care Act, energy taxes and the vote against tax cuts.
Lets keep up the momentum and win this seat. Click here to donate and get involved with Kander’s campaign.