Senate

Reid: Clinton lost because of ‘Republican operative’ James Comey

by Nikita Vladimirov - 11/17/16 9:02 PM ET

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Thursday blasted FBI Director James Comey, accusing him of being a “Republican operative” who caused Hillary Clinton to lose the presidential election to Donald Trump.

{mosads}”It’s easy to second-guess what Hillary did. I love Hillary Clinton, I am sorry she lost. I did everything I could to help … but there is no question in my mind she would have won this election without any problem if Comey had not been the Republican operative that he is,” the retiring Nevada senator said in an interview with MSNBC.

Reid then said that Comey’s determination to revisit the investigation of the Democratic nominee shortly before Nov. 8 goes “against what common sense dictates.”

“For example … he came out against what the attorney general had recommend, against what common sense dictates. He is the reason she lost the election,” he said.

“He can be fat and happy in his office there for seven more years after having thrown the election to Donald Trump. If he feels good about that — thats nice,” Reid added.

During his interview, the lawmaker said the Democratic strategy during Trump’s presidency should consist of selectively cooperating with Trump on issues that strengthen the middle class while rejecting his controversial rhetoric.

Reid said that he did not want Democrats to blindly obstruct Republican legislation, stating that the mission for the party should be to educate the voters about why the policies in question are destructive.

“We as Democrats have to stand for something to show the difference between Trump and us,” Reid said. “I think we have to speak out … the Republicans didn’t speak out, they just stopped us procedurally.

“I believe that we have a different obligation. I think we have to be talking over time — if we don’t like something, tell everybody why. Don’t just block things as they did.”

Additionally, Reid criticized Trump’s potential Cabinet picks including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, 2012 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton.

“Giuliani to be secretary of State, I mean, what, he’s been to Canada? What’s this all about? He’s a lobbyist, he was mayor of New York City,” Reid added.

Tags Donald Trump Harry Reid Hillary Clinton