Sen. Reid: Republican presidential hopefuls a bunch of 'losers'

The Republican field for president in 2016 is full of “losers,” Harry Reid said in an interview that aired Wednesday.

The Senate minority leader, a boxer in his youth, delivered some spirited blows while talking with CNBC’s John Harwood, calling his Republican counterpart Mitch McConnell “a lump of coal” and slamming alternative theories about how he sustained his eye injury.


“It shows the credibility of Rush Limbaugh. He’s the guy that got all of this started,” the Nevada Democrat said. “Why in the world would I come up with a story that I got hurt in my own bathroom with my wife standing there? How could anyone say anything like that.”

Reid has said that he is now “ sightless” out of his right eye, following hospitalization for an exercise accident at his Henderson, Nevada, home in which he broke bones in his face and several ribs, along with a concussion.

“I think a lot of people, as I read, they kind of don’t like me as a person, and that’s unfortunate,” he said.

Reid also said he doesn’t really care who wins the Republican nomination for president. “I think they’re all losers,” he said.

The 75-year-old Democrat said he likes Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination, adding that he spoke with Bill Clinton the other day and loves his sincerity.

Reid said Clinton tells him, “Harry, I love you,” at the end of every conversation.

“I am not a big fan of primaries,” he added. “I don’t think they help, especially when you’re someone as noted as Hillary.”

Pressed on whether he would have Vice President Joe Biden sit out the race, Reid said that only he would make that decision.

“He’s been around a long time, he can make that decision on his own, without my advice,” he said.

Talking about Senate relations, Reid said he does not criticize McConnell for his effort against President Barack Obama’s environmental agenda, noting the Kentucky senator’s home-state industry.

“I don’t mean to be mean-spirited, but he is a lump of coal,” Reid said in the interview taped at a diner in Searchlight, Nevada. “He believes that coal is the salvation of the world. I don’t believe that.”

Asked why he thought McConnell did not refer to him as a friend in his statement following news of his retirement, Reid said perhaps the Kentucky Republican “should have had me help write the press release.”