GOP seizes on Reid remark he prevented “worldwide depression”

Republicans are seizing on what they are calling "another inexplicable whopper" by Sen. Harry Reid, this one during his televised interview today on MSNBC.

During his interview with liberal show host Ed Schultz, Reid was explaining how the recession had hit Nevada hard and how Nevadans have reacted.

"So people have been hurting," Reid said. "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 have done for them."

Say what? The National Republican Senatorial Committee was quick to comment.

“For Harry Reid to take credit for saving the world, yet take zero responsibility for Nevada’s serious economic problems, is either the height of ignorance or arrogance, or most likely, a combination of both," said Brian Walsh. NRSC communications director.

In response, the Reid campaign pointed to remarks by Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Donohue this summer saying the chamber supported the 2009 economic stimulus bill because it thought "we were days away from a global recession."

Reid as Senate majority leader maneuvered the $787 billion bill to passage. "Most business groups and respected economists believe we were on the brink of a worldwide downturn that would have materialized had we not passed the stimulus," Reid spokesman Kelly Steele said.