Harry Reid is a smart man.
There can be no doubt about this, but like the President there is something he needs to know about Republicans.
It's really not my place to be saying this, but along with all the others who have tried, I am going to add my own voice, and it takes the form of a short story.
Are you sitting comfortably? Then I will begin ...
The rain had been a deluge. For many hours the animals had moved to higher ground, and the only ones apparently enjoying the very wet conditions, appeared to be the ducks, the fish and the alligators.
As the river rose it gradually, and unnoticed by the horse, cut off his retreat.
He could see across the river to the safety beyond, all he had to do was cross, and all would be well. The horse was a good swimmer, and even the current swell and fast-moving water was no real obstacle. What did fill him with fear and trepidation, was the thought of the alligators lurking just below the surface.
As he was standing there unsure of his next move he spotted the scorpion. The scorpion was crawling around completely unable to cross the waters to safety, as he was unable to swim.
The horse approached the scorpion, delicately so as not to upset him. He offered the scorpion a deal, because the scorpion could be the answer the horse was looking for.
He suggested to the scorpion that he, the horse, would carry him across the river to safety, if the scorpion would use his sting to protect the horse from the alligators. By this arrangement both might survive. The horse with his ability to swim, and the scorpion riding shotgun with his deadly sting.
So the scorpion climbed up onto the horse, and they entered the raging torrent. The horse was as good as his word and they began to move steadily to the far bank of the river.
It was going well until they reached the halfway point, safe from the alligators who were afraid of the scorpion. Suddenly, and without warning, the scorpion stung the horse. As the horse felt the sharp pain, and the early stages of the paralysis set in portending his death, he turned to the scorpion and in a sad voice asked him why he had been stung. "Surely", said the horse, "you know that we will both die now. Why did you do it?"
"I did it because it is in my nature", replied the scorpion.
Mr Reid .... They are scorpions. The Republicans are scorpions and you will serve your country well if you remember that.
They are scorpions!