Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Reid sworn in as minority leader

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., poses Tuesday with his wife, Landra, and Vice President Dick Cheney at the Capitol. Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., took office on Tuesday as the Senate's top Democrat, proposing to work with President Bush and Republicans "to make this country a better place," but readying to fight on matters where the offer may fall flat.

"There are bipartisan opportunities for us," Reid said in his maiden speech as Senate minority leader. "I speak on behalf of 45 Democrats. We are here with our arms open to work with the administration, the (House) speaker and the (Senate) Republican leader to accomplish things for this country."

Reid said he and Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., were working to identify issues on which the parties might cooperate, such as renewal of highway legislation that would distribute billions of dollars to the states.

But, Reid said, "I also understand there will be times when we will not agree, and each of us will have to stand up for what we believe." Democrats and Republicans were scheduled to convene separate conferences today to strategize on divisive issues such as Social Security overhaul and confirmations for some of the president's more conservative judicial nominees.

As Congress convened for a new two-year session, Reid, 65, renewed his oath of office for a fourth six-year term, with 33 other senators who were elected in November. Escorted by Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., in a Senate ceremony, Reid was sworn in by Vice President Dick Cheney.

Nevada's three U.S. House members, Republicans Jim Gibbons and Jon Porter and Democrat Shelley Berkley, also were installed for new office terms during a separate House ceremony.

In his speech afterwards, Reid said, "Americans are counting on us to make the right decisions" on health care, Social Security, education and the environment.

Although offering a hand to Republicans, aides said Reid was lacing up the other one in anticipation they will not respond to his overtures.

A communications center Reid has described as a Democratic "war room" began operations Tuesday, staffed by a half-dozen aides who will promote the party's activities while critiquing Republicans to national and regional media, Internet news bloggers and Hispanic press.

The initial "message of the day," according to a sheet distributed to reporters, is that although Democrats are committed to solving problems, "early signs indicate that Republicans are sticking with the partisan approach they've used in the past."

In an interview on Monday, Reid said he believes Frist wants a cooperative relationship, but other Republicans are more combative.

"I hope he can work that out with his members," he said.

Reid said he has spoken with Bush several times, "but not a lot. I hope a lot of talk we hear from the White House is just posturing."

Reid communications director Jim Manley said Bush has not sent a response to the Nevadan's request last month that Democrats be consulted on possible candidates for the Supreme Court, "and we don't expect one either."

Senate Democrats today will gather at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for a closed-door meeting. Republicans were to meet at the Library of Congress. Such meetings are customarily held at the beginning of each session.

Manley described the Kennedy Center meeting as "a little bit of an educational session on issues and also strategy on different issues facing the Democrats for the next Congress."

He said Social Security and judicial nominations are likely to be discussed. Democrats and Republicans appear headed for difficulties on both subjects.

Before the holidays, Bush said he would renominate federal appeals court candidates that Democrats had blocked last year on grounds they were too ideological and conservative. The president's move threatened new confrontations in the Senate.

On Social Security, the president is preparing to propose changing benefit formulas and allowing a portion of taxpayer contributions to be invested in the stock market, after describing the system as verging on crisis. Reid and other Democrats have disputed the characterization, saying Social Security will be in good shape for decades and does not need to be overhauled.

Manley said it is unlikely that Democrats today will form specific plans to work with Bush on certain issues and oppose him on others. "No decisions will be made, this is just a general discussion on a policy agenda," Manley said.

Reid is expected to explain to senators what initiatives he is taking to promote Democratic interests while pledging to work closely with them on issues within their committees and with groups that support the party's agenda, Manley said.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a former federal lawmaker and Cabinet official under President Clinton, will speak on "the future of the Democratic Party," according to a meeting planner.