Stoking tensions in Nevada's already heated Senate race, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told a crowd of Latino supporters he doesn't "know how anyone of Hispanic heritage could be a Republican." Conservative Latinos objected to the remark, as did Reid's Republican opponent, Sharron Angle. "Harry Reid cannot give any good reasons why people should vote for him," said an Angle spokesperson, "so now he is turning to race and ethnicity." Reid later clarified his remarks, saying he merely meant that "he doesn't understand how anyone, Hispanic or otherwise," would vote for the Republican Party. Reid's race-baiting is simply "lame," says Allahpundit at Hot Air. And he only made things worse by "trying to weasel out of it" with his "completely inane and demagogic" response. He's not fooling anyone. Come on, says Bill Press in The Hill. "All Harry Reid did is speak the truth." The Republicans have "declared war" on Hispanics this year, from their support for racial profiling in Arizona to their refusal to work with Democrats on comprehensive immigration reform. Watch Reid's comments here:
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.