Harry Reid in 2010 NV Senate Debates


On Energy & Oil: BP and oil companies need regulation

Reid tried to turn Angle's disdain for government regulations against her. "My opponent favors big banks. She's against Wall Street reform. Oil companies--she said BP had too much regulation, that's what went wrong there. I have a different philosophy. I am for the middle class," he said.
Source: NPR Morning Edition coverage of 2010 Nevada Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

On Health Care: Insurers' profit motive almost destroyed our economy

Health care was a primary point of discussion throughout the debate and Reid accused Angle--who conceded she does not believe there are any medical conditions for which there should be any government-mandated health coverage--of holding "very extreme" views.

"My opponent doesn't like any insurance companies to have to do anything," Reid said, emphasizing the candidate's opposition to funding for mammograms and colonoscopies.

"America is a country of choices, not forcing people to buy things that they don't need," Angle said of so-called "Obamacare," invoking a theme she cited frequently throughout the night. "The solution is simple: We need to get the government out."

"Insurance companies don't do things out of the goodness of their hearts. They do it out of a profit motive and they have almost destroyed our economy," Reid fired back.

Source: CBS News coverage of 2010 Nevada Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

On Health Care: ObamaCare improved healthcare and also improved economy

Angle said "ObamaCare" would destroy Medicare in particular and the health care system in general. "America is a country of choices--not forcing people to buy things that they don't need," Angle said.

Reid countered that the health care overhaul would not only improve health care, but improve the economy, too. "We had to do health insurance reform to remain competitive in the world economy. And it creates jobs--thousands and thousands of jobs," Reid added.

Source: NPR Morning Edition coverage of 2010 Nevada Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

On Immigration: We need comprehensive reform

The candidates also differed on immigration, with Reid calling for "comprehensive reform" and Angle condemning his opposition to Arizona's controversial immigration legislation that was passed earlier this year.

"What we have here is an illegal alien problem and the solution is simple: secure the borders, enforce the laws," Angle said. "We should be supporting Arizona."

Source: CBS News coverage of 2010 Nevada Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

On Principles & Values: Son of a miner; mother took in wash from brothels

Angle's rap on Reid is that he's a creature of big-government Washington, out of touch with average Nevadans.

"Senator Reid has been a politician for over 30 years," Angle began. "I live in a middle-class neighborhood in Reno, Nevada. Senator Reid live in the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C."

That might particularly rankle Nevadans who now suffer with the highest unemployment and foreclosure rates in the country.

But Reid, the son of a miner, tried to show he knew what it was like to suffer through tough times--like when he was growing up in the tiny town of Searchlight. Lean times sound different in Nevada than they do in other parts of the country, though.

"Times were tough. The mines weren't doing well at all. My mom took in wash from the brothels in Searchlight so I have some idea of what it's like to struggle," Reid said.

If you'd decided to play a drinking game and take a swig every time Reid called his opponent extreme, you'd have quite the hangover this morning.

Source: NPR Morning Edition coverage of 2010 Nevada Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

On Social Security: What would have happened if Trust Fund were in stock market?

During the primary, she said Social Security and Medicare should be phased out and privatized. Now she only says she wants to personalize Social Security.

But Reid wouldn't let her off the hook: "Now she talks about, and has for years talked about, getting rid of Social Security. For years. Look what would have happened had we put this money in the stock market as was suggested by President Bush. This is an extreme idea, and it will destroy Social Security."

Source: NPR Morning Edition coverage of 2010 Nevada Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

On Tax Reform: I am not in favor of giving billionaires tax cuts

Angle pushed for extension of the Bush-era tax cuts, arguing that if they were not made permanent "we will experience the largest tax increase in the history of America."

"I personally am not in favor of giving billionaires tax cuts," Reid responded, before guaranteeing that he would not support an increase in taxes for middle class Americans.

Source: CBS News coverage of 2010 Nevada Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

On War & Peace: OpEd: saying Iraq war was lost emboldened our enemies

Both candidates had to answer for controversial remarks they've made in the past. Angle was asked whether she really thinks jobless Americans have been "spoiled" by unemployment benefits. "No, I don't think that our unemployed are spoiled," she said, "and that was totally mischaracterized by my opponent," which has become Angle's standard response when questioned about past statements.

But Reid, too, is known for making strange remarks. Angle tried to score by reminding the debate audience that Reid had once said the Iraq war had been lost. "That emboldened our enemies, demoralized our troops and endangered them, and you need to apologize to them, Senator," Angle chided. Reid countered with the many things he's done for veterans and his endorsement from the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Source: NPR Morning Edition coverage of 2010 Nevada Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

The above quotations are from 2010 Nevada Senate Debates.
Click here for other excerpts from 2010 Nevada Senate Debates.
Click here for other excerpts by Harry Reid.
Click here for a profile of Harry Reid.
Harry Reid on other issues:
Abortion
Budget/Economy
Civil Rights
Corporations
Crime
Drugs
Education
Energy/Oil
Environment
Families
Foreign Policy
Free Trade
Govt. Reform
Gun Control
Health Care
Homeland Security
Immigration
Jobs
Principles
Social Security
Tax Reform
Technology
War/Peace
Welfare
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
Click for details -- or send donations to:
1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
(We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Dec 03, 2018