Senate leader Harry Reid not shy about slinging barbs

WASHINGTON " Alan Greenspan has retired as chairman of the Federal Reserve, so Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid has to find someone else to brand as Washington's biggest "political hack."

"I could give that designation to someone else," Reid said in a broadcast interview Sunday. "I don't think I'll do it here today."

But don't think for a minute the Nevada Democrat has changed his opinion about the venerable ex-Fed leader.

It was in 2005 when Greenspan was the target of Reid's barbs. Greenspan had given a qualified endorsement to President Bush's proposed Social Security and tax overhauls.

At the time, Reid used a television interview to brand the Fed chairman "one of the biggest political hacks we have in Washington."

"I call them the way I see them," Reid made clear Sunday. "Alan Greenspan, when they asked me about him, I said I thought he was the biggest political hack in Washington. That's how I felt. Why shouldn't I say that?"

Asked if still felt that way, Reid replied: "Oh, yeah. Well, he's out of office now, so he's not the biggest political hack."

Was there anyone else he wanted to take off against right now? "No," Reid said. "But if it comes to my mind, and I feel after answering a question, I should do it honestly, I'm going to continue to do that."

Also in 2005, Reid apologized after calling Bush a "loser" during an appearance at a Las Vegas high school. "I think this guy is a loser," Reid had told students. He also has accused the president of lying.

"When I have dealings with people, and they tell me one thing and do something else, they're not telling the truth, what else do you have to call them? I am a person who calls things the way I see them," Reid said Sunday.

"As far as my dealing with the president on a personal basis, I like him. He's just fine. But on his policies ... I don't even think we need to dwell on that," Reid said.

He was interviewed on "Face the Nation" on CBS.