Harry Reid Tries on McCarthyism and Enjoys It

Senate Democrat Harry Reid continues to amaze us with his new ways to smear his opponents - this time one of Bush's judicial nominees, Henry Saad. According to the Washington Times (hat tip to Doug Petch), Reid said on the Senate floor that Saad was problematic due to a "confidential report from the FBI."

That's right - Harry Reid violated rules of the Senate (though because he is likely lying about the files contents, the act might not be illegal) by referring to contents in Henry Saad's confidential FBI file. (As background, the FBI investigates all federal judicial nominees and Senate nominees as a standard check for security clearance.)

Captain's Quarters rightly calls Reid's actions "Joe McCarthy-style character assassination." Captain Ed adds,

I believe Harry Reid cowardly chose a way in which to smear Henry Saad that would not allow anyone to defend him. Reid should not just be censured by the Senate as a whole, but stripped of his leadership post and his committee assignments. Let him serve the rest of his term as a member at large, gathering dust on the back benches of the Senate, where he can live with his cowardice and his despicable acts.

When the Valerie Plame "outing" happened last fall, there was a month-long media uproar. That is, until the investigation turned towards New York Times reporters. Then, the uproar died down, with everyone agreeing it was harmless. I guarantee that the MSM won't even pick this story up because it is their Democrat leader outing one of Bush's filibustered judges. And that's just not a big deal.