Dear Harry Reid,
Don't Help!
I'm not sure how popular Harry Reid is in Delaware, but he's not hugely popular nationally. So, unless he's really, really popular on the shores of Delaware Bay, why did he feel the need to say this:
"I'm going to be very honest with you — Chris Coons, everybody knows him in the Democratic caucus. He's my pet. He's my favorite candidate"
Readers, gently extend your arm, then loosen your hand, and quickly bend your elbow, until such time as your palm is draped over your face.
The quote was apparently given to The Hill, and I haven't seen it reported anywhere else. So if you're one to take articles from The Hill with a grain of salt, feel free to do so.
Delaware probably isn't as easy a win for the Democrats as many thought it was on Tuesday night, though Coons is certainly the overwhelming favorite now. His seriously flawed opponent is also a telegenic underdog, which makes her a cause celebre on the right. I predict they'll rally around her just like they did Sarah Palin, because they have a tendency to double-down on crazy. Anyhow, she might win. Probably won't, but might. It's important not to get too complacent.
And speaking of complacent, Reid's comment is an attack ad waiting to be written. I don't care who you are, or what party you belong to, but when one politician patronizingly (what else could it be?) calls another one his "pet", it makes the politician in question look bad. Cute (pets are cute) but bad. Or perhaps weak, servile, loyal, but easily led around by their owner. You know ... a pet.
Chris Coons is none of these things, but his future boss just called him that with one single, stupid word. And in this soundbite culture, all it takes is three letters. It's embarrassing. It's the kind of comment a political opponent says, not someone on your team.
Sen. Reid has his own problems in Nevada, but as the Senate Majority Leader, I understand he feels the need to get involved in Senate races across the country. I'm not sure how wise that is, but maybe it would be best to stay out of Delaware.
In fairness, I'm willing to acknowledge that Reid was possibly suggesting that Coons was his PET, an early-1980s Commodore computer designed to introduce students to computing.
The full comment, according to The Hill:
"Let me tell you about him: A graduate of Yale Divinity School. Yale Law School. A two-time national debate champion. He represents two-thirds of the state now, in an elected capacity. I don't know if you've ever seen him or heard him speak, but he is a dynamic speaker. I don't mean loud or long; he's a communicator. So that's how I feel about Delaware. I've always thought Chris Coons is going to win. I told him that and I tried to get him to run. I'm glad he's running. I just think the world of him. He's my pet."