Democratic Caucus Puts Smackdown on David Broder

Back in the 1980s when I was in college studying journalism, economics and politics, I really admired the political writing of David Broder -- of course, I also thought Madonna looked drop-dead sexy in that wedding-dress get-up, so what the hell did I know?

It's sad to say, but intellectually speaking, Broder's time has clearly come and gone. And you need look no further than his silly, bizarre attack yesterday on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, in which he said that the gutsy Reid is a problem for the Democratic party and described his short tenure as the Senate's leader as an "amateurish performance."

Given that he has been in George W. Bush's face as much as he could have been since assuming the Majority Leader role in January -- which is exactly what the American people voted for in November -- we bloggers have jumped to Reid's defense.

But today, in an amazing show of support, the entire Senate Democratic caucus signed a letter to the editor of Broder's home, the Washington Post, calling them on their columnist's own amateurish performance, saying that "in contrast to Mr. Broder's insinuations, we believe Mr. Reid is an extraordinary leader who has effectively guided the new Democratic majority through these first few months with skill and aplomb."

Here's more from their letter, which they titled "Sen. Reid's Fine Leadership."

"In the first 100 days alone, we made great strides under his leadership on long-neglected legislation concerning stem cell research, the Sept. 11 commission's recommendations and the minimum wage, to name three. In addition, under Mr. Reid's leadership, we have fulfilled our obligation, left uncompleted by last year's Republican-led Senate, to fund the federal government. He has accomplished all of this in the face of stiff opposition and with a commitment to giving ideas full opportunity for debate.

"Finally, in this age of scripted politicians speaking only to their base or claiming that they 'don't recall' anything, the fact that Mr. Reid speaks his mind should be applauded, not derided. His brand of straight talk is honest, comes from the heart and speaks directly to the people."

Harry Reid has done an outstanding job as Majority Leader, just as he did in the previous Congress in holding together the minority under very trying circumstances while having to take a backseat to Bill Frist and the do-nothing GOP crew. It's wonderful that his colleagues are publicly stepping up and openly supporting him against these ridiculous attacks.

But all of that said, this is also the same David Broder who writes today about how John McCain, a man who figures out who he is on a given day when he goes outside and tests the wind direction, is "straight talking again."

Hey, I wonder if Broder thought Madonna was smokin' hot in that dress as well?

Update: In just the last two hours I have had enough pictures sent to me -- by both men and women -- to make me reconsider my snarky implication about Madonna in the early 80s and to accept that she may indeed have been really hot. But my primary point stands: David Broder is an enormous tool.