Harry Reid: Kennedy's death "going to help us" on health care

Who said that the left wasn't politicizing Kennedy's death? That they weren't going to pull a Paul Wellstone on him? From The Hill Blog via Instapundit:

The passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) could help Senate Democrats struggling this year to advance health care reform, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said during an interview with the Reno Gazette-Journal, published yesterday.

From the transcript:

"Q: How will U.S. Sen. (Edward) Kennedy's death affect things?

A: I think it's going to help us. He hasn't been around for some time. We're going to have a new chairman of that committee, it'll be, I don't know for sure, but I think Sen. (Chris) Dodd, (D-Conn.). He has a right to take it. Either him or (U.S. Sen. Tom) Harkin, (D-Iowa), whichever one wants it can have it. I think he (Kennedy) will be a help. He's an inspiration for us. That was the issue of his life and he didn't get it done."

Reid also declared the August recess has improved Democrats' chances of passing health care reform in the near future:

"For one thing I think the American people have seen the wrongness of trying to interrupt meetings and yell and scream at people. That's lost a lot of its pizzazz. I think its given time for members to contemplate what's important. We can talk to our constituents. I've traveled the state talking to people. I think they've been very constructive meetings."

Is Reid smoking some of what Obama did in his teens? Has Reid looked at what the polls have shown over the recess? Support for Obamacare is plummeting. Nosedive. Which is exactly why Obama wanted it passed before the recess (without anyone actually looking at it of course). Harry Reid displays every symptom of a disconnected political elitist who doesn't really care what his constituents think. He's called those who disagree with him, in particular tea party protesters "evil-mongers." He can't call terrorists that want to wipe the U.S. off the planet evil, but the term fits many of his own constituents. Recently, Reid also wished the largest paper in Nevada go out of business, and that very publication called him to the carpet on it. He's a bully. A mean-spirited man drunk on his own power and ego. He needs to go in 2010.

Previously:
Kennedy's Letter to Pope: "I've never failed to believe and respect the fundamental teachings" of Catholic Faith. 50 million unborn are doubtful.
Boston Globe: Now That Ted Kennedy Is Gone, Hurry Up With That Cape Cod Wind Farm
Video: Children Exploited To Push Obamacare At Kennedy Funeral
Mike Kelly on Ted Kennedy
Journalist Matt Cooper: Ted Kennedy Death Like Losing 3,000 Innocent Americans On 9/11 Or Something
Audio: Ted Kennedy's favorite topic of humor? Chappaquiddick!
John Dingell on Ted Kennedy: "a true friend" who would "throw himself on the tracks to save you."
Detroit Mayor Dave Bing on Ted Kennedy: a "true statesman and patriot."
Granholm On Kennedy: "His voice amplified the millions of small voices belonging to the often unheard..." 50 million dead babies beg to differ!
Detroit News Survey On Ted Kennedy Shows That Majority Hasn't Many Good Thoughts Regarding "Hero Of Chappaquiddick"
Ted Kennedy Dead At Age 77 - Democrat Majority In The Senate Down To 59
Ted Kennedy Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom; Mary Jo Kopechne Would Not Be Impressed

Previously on Reid:
Harry Reid Bullies Small Business Owner Constituent: "I Hope You Go Out Of Business!" Gets Called Out By Nevada's Largest Newspaper
Harry Reid: Protesters are ‘evil-mongers’
Video Of Harry Reid: Sotomayor Is Qualified! She Wrote Hundreds Of Opinions And I Haven't Read A Single One!
Harry Reid In PRINT: Bush Is Kind of a "B**ch" Like His Mother
Harry Reid: "the best part of Barack Obama is his heart!" Unborn remain unimpressed
April 20th - Harry Reid's D-I Day
Harry Reid: Tax System Is Voluntary