Reid: DNC Ads Are "Waste of Money"

July 16, 2009 1:02 PM

ABC News’ Jonathan Karl reports:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid slammed the Democratic National Committee for running ads targeting moderate Democratic senators on health care.

“I think it’s a waste of money,” Reid, D-Nev., said when asked about the ads.  Asked to elaborate, he said, “It’s a waste of money to have Democrats running ads against Democrats.”

Reid also had a tart comment about the analysis of Congressional Budget Office director Doug Elmendorf that neither the Senate or House health care bills would save the federal government any money.

“What he should do is maybe run for Congress,” Reid said when asked to respond to Elmendorf’s analysis.  The CBO is a nonpartisan office; Elmendorf was appointed by the Democratic leadership in the House.

Afterwards Reid’s spokesman said the Senator actually has “no problem” with the DNC ads.

“Senator Reid was led to believe by the question posed to him that the DNC was attacking members of his Caucus,” said Rodell Mollineau, Reid’s communications director. “In fact, the DNC is running non-specific call to action ads in states with both Democratic and Republican Senators, an effort he has no problem with. “

The ads are running primarily in states with moderate Democrats who have expressed concerns about creating a government-run health insurance program.  They are also running in Maine, home to two moderate Republican Senators.