Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) admitted Tuesday that he "[hasn't] read a single one" of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor's opinions despite praising her as "the whole package."
Not surprisingly, the Obama loving media gleefully reported the latter while almost completely ignoring the former.
What a shock, huh?
Here's how Reid on Tuesday responded to the questions: "Is there anything in Judge Sotomayor's record that you think gives you trouble or that could make -- could cause her trouble? For instance, she, in January, ruled that the Second Amendment doesn't apply to the states. Is that something that you agree with, that you could see that -- or that you don't agree with and may be able to give her trouble?" (video and partial transcript embedded below the fold):
I understand that during her career, she's written hundreds and hundreds of opinions. I haven't read a single one of them, and if I'm fortunate before we end this, I won't have to read one of them. But -- I'm not familiar with that opinion, but there will be plenty of time for people who are concerned about the Second Amendment -- and there are lots of people on the Judiciary Committee who are concerned about it -- they'll have lots of time to offer her questions and she'll proceed to answer them. But I don't know anything about that.
One would think the Majority Leader admitting that he's supporting the nomination of a Supreme Court justice without reading any of her opinions would be quite newsworthy.
Well, think again, for according to Google News and LexisNexis searches, of major media outlets, only the Washington Post's Dana Milbank thought Reid's comments were at all interesting, although they came in the last paragraph of his article published Wednesday.
By contrast, Reid's "Everyone in America, I want them to understand that we have the whole package here" was quite popular with reporters getting notice from news outlets such as the Associated Press, the New York Times, the Post, Slate, Reuters, AFP, CNN, and PBS's "News Hour."
I guess when it comes to Democrat nominees for the Court, only comments from the Left that support his or her confirmation are newsworthy.
As an aside, is it possible the media are no longer surprised by Democrats making decisions without actually reading what they're voting on? After all, few of them read Obama's stimulus package they approved in February, right?
(Readers are also apprised that some television news transcripts from Tuesday evening are not yet available at LexisNexis making it possible Reid's "haven't read a single one" comment was covered by more major media outlets than the Washington Post.)
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.




















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Opinions
June 3, 2009 - 09:12 ET by sevenHis opinion on her "compelling life story" is abundant endorsement.
A Defense for Reid
June 3, 2009 - 09:26 ET by bradbenj5952In Reid's defense, he was clearly attempting to match the extent of reading he did on the stimulus bill. </sarcasm>
Perhaps, our current crop of legislators never learned to read. Maybe they are products of the fraudulent public school system they force on the rest of us. Or maybe, just maybe, they are nothing more than lazy sloths who only care about getting re-elected and don't actually care about this country any more.
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:31
Reading?
June 3, 2009 - 10:12 ET by sevenReid can read? Not the Reid I knew.
Dumbing down education places a premium on sex education. The blocking of vouchers is an example of fear. They are afraid people will read and read non propoganda.
Waxman like in Waxman Malarky admitted he didn't read the 930 page energy bill with his name on it.
Reading is so right wing.
Reid
June 3, 2009 - 09:27 ET by SemusReid's stupidity is not only a reflection of him but also those who voted for him.
Never held a job in his life
June 3, 2009 - 09:33 ET by averageschmoeNever held a job in his life and never could. You might see him scamming people on an infomercial, maybe.
LOL!
June 3, 2009 - 12:32 ET by KJ_sezYeah - infomercials (Obamamercials?) like MSM "news programming"!
Reid's stupidity is not only a reflection of him but also those
June 3, 2009 - 09:59 ET by general companyLouder!!
Reid's stupidity is not only a reflection of him but also those who voted for him.
Again!!
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Reid
June 3, 2009 - 09:30 ET by SemusReid's stupidity is not only a reflection of him but also those who voted for him. He should but he won't exclude himself from this process. Where would the Democrats be without, ignorance, stupidity, and hatred.
Whole Package of what?
June 3, 2009 - 09:33 ET by SeftonWhat's with this "whole package" catch phrase?
That doesn't automatically assume something good. Gangland movies had packages that were dead guys or fish and crap like that.
;-)
Marching in lockstep with the Messiah
June 3, 2009 - 09:58 ET by Blogger Guy00001Why should Reid read the opinions? He is marching in lockstep with the Messiah and will automatically approve of everything the Messiah orders. Reid has no credibility left. He can't lose any more credibility by this action.
Law makeing
June 3, 2009 - 10:15 ET by sevensotomayor has admitted the role of a judge is to make policy. so Reid needs to just see if he likes her attitude. She will know what to do after that.
We call it judicial tyranny.
Leadership
June 3, 2009 - 10:14 ET by KC MulvilleNancy Pelosi runs the House.
Harry Reid runs the Senate.
Democrat leadership ... has a bit of a reality problem.
Harry "doesn't" Reid . .
June 3, 2009 - 10:39 ET by mattmHarry "doesn't" Reid . . .
... also didn't read the budget bill he voted for....
What a surprise!
June 3, 2009 - 10:42 ET by IamTinmanMembers of congress didn't read the stimulous bill, the budget, the energy bill, or in fact almost all of the legislation that crosses their desks. Why should this be any different?
Read my lips, They are all scum! They are all either complicit in or idly standing by while our economy and our society are being systematically being destroyed.
Sotomayor
June 3, 2009 - 11:52 ET by cvgbuckeyeHas anyone ever seen this woman and W C Fields together at the same time (excuse the redundancy)?
ahhh yesss
June 3, 2009 - 15:41 ET by jdlybrandMy little chickadee.
Reid seems to be extremely weak in Nevada...
June 3, 2009 - 13:26 ET by ThalpyReid seems to be extremely weak in Nevada. While that shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, it presents a real problem because a strong candidate hasn't shown up to run against him. We're burning daylight on this one! It would just be great NOT to have Reid to kick around.
I bet Reid hasn't read any opinions for the last 10 years
June 3, 2009 - 19:16 ET by Captain KirockWhen Reid voted against Alito and Roberts, I'm sure he didn't read any of their opinions either. The truth is the judges' opinions don't matter to Reid. The only thing that matters to him is whether they have an "R" or a "D" after their names.
Reid lets "the little people" read those opinions who then tell him what to say.