WASHINGTON — While Congressman Tom Reed was hopeful the federal government could reach a deal on a new stimulus package, he now says politics took precedence over patriotism.
“In my personal opinion, it is clear to me now, I was hopeful that she (Speaker Nancy Pelosi) was sincere and that she was going to cut a deal for the American people and would negotiate in good faith,” Reed said during a teleconference on Wednesday.
“It is clear to me that it was Pelosi and (Sen. Charles) Schumer showing their true cards that they were never going to do a deal because they were putting politics first.”
Unless something dramatic happens in the next few days, a deal, if one can even be struck, won’t likely be on the table again until February, Reed said.
He explained that the election and possible changes in the presidency, the Senate and the House, would delay negotiations while lawmakers got the lay of the land.
As for the upcoming election, Reed said he would not be surprised to see a very close presidential race that won’t be decided without court action.
“You’re probably going to have to go through some recanvasing and you’re going to have to go through all the litigation that’s associated with it and so I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a Bush-Gore scenario,” Reed said.
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