Harry Reid Reopens the Slavery Debate on the Floor of the Senate

The last time this many Senators were hollering about slavery, my great-great-grandmother was liveblogging the Lincoln-Douglas debates. What the-? Don't worry, it's just Harry Reid helping the GOP's worst manufactured fears come true by comparing health care reform opposition to anti-abolitionists…

"Instead of joining us on the right side of history, all the Republicans can come up with is, 'Slow down, stop everything, let's start over,' " Reid said in a floor speech on Monday.

"If you think you've heard these same excuses before, you're right," Reid said. He continued: "When this country belatedly recognized the wrongs of slavery, there were those who dug in their heels and said, 'Slow down, it's too early, things aren't bad enough.' "

Hoo boy. Co-captaining the Outraged Response Squad is good ol' Saxby Chambliss of Georgia…

"Folks tend to crack under pressure," Chambliss said at a press conference with Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas). "It is an indication of desperation."

Chambliss is correct, of course, because if Harry Reid had been thinking clearly he would've made the more accurate comparison: health care reform is like being held captive in a Soviet gulag, not on a Southern plantation. Take a nap and get it right next time, Harry!