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Harry Reid's Sticky Slavery Comparison

Health Wars

Compares filibuster threats to blocking emancipation.

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Alex Wong / Getty Images

The health-care debate just got more heated—and Republicans are crying foul. Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid likened GOP threats to filibuster reform to those who "dug in their heels and said, 'Slow down, it's too early. Let's wait. Things are bad enough,' about slavery. When women wanted to vote: 'Slow down, there will be a better day to do that.'" Republicans like Sen. Saxby Chambliss (GA) and Tom Coburn (OK) are speaking out: "I think it's beneath the dignity of the majority leaders, for one. I think it's beneath the dignity of the Senate... to make any kind of outlandish claim similar to [Reid's]," said Coburn. "They are so desperate that it is unbelievable," said Chambliss, who also characterized Reid's statement as "outlandish." Politico points out that Reid isn't the only one with "outlandish" rhetoric: On Sunday, NRSC Chairman John Cornyn (R-TX) characterized reform as "a health-care gulag."

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