Republicans positioning Reid as designated bad guy

Republicans in Congress used to demonize top Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi. But now with Pelosi dethroned as House Speaker, the GOP is turning its rhetorical guns on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, according to a story today in Politico.

"The GOP is looking to position Reid as the 'cul-de-sac in chief," the news site quoted a Republican insider. Party strategists are setting up the Nevada Democrat for blame when initiatives in the GOP-controlled House get blocked in the Senate.

New House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., is emerging as the lead attack dog. This week he challenged Reid to hold a Senate vote on health care repeal after Reid vowed a repeal vote would never see the light of day on his side of the U.S. Capitol.

"One Republican aide called the health care fight just the 'opening salvo' in a longterm anti-Reid strategy," Politico reported.