When Christine O’Donnell won the Republican Senate nomination in Delaware, Democrats rejoiced. Their nominee, New Castle County executive Chris Coons, was almost certain to lose to Republican congressman Mike Castle, but O’Donnell was another story, as we know. Not only did her primary victory make it vastly more likely that they would keep the seat in Democratic hands, but also more likely that they could retain a slim majority in the Senate. According to election-predictions wizard Nate Silver, the GOP’s chances of taking over the Senate in this year’s midterm elections dropped from 26 percent to 15 percent because of O’Donnell.
Of course, this is all good news for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. But Reid handled it in almost the worst and frankly, creepiest way possible.
“I’ve always thought Chris Coons is going to win. I told him that and I tried to get him to run. I’m glad he’s running. I just think the world of him. He’s my pet.”
GAH! Is he trying to destroy this race? There’s hardly a worse thing you can say about a candidate these days than that he’s a stooge for the Washington leadership. And furthermore, calling someone your pet is just creepy and weird. Ew.
Chris Coons, as you might imagine, does not agree with Reid’s description of their relationship, according to an interview he did with the Huffington Post. Coons insists that he’s running for the Senate to be an “independent voice,” not to sit on the lap of Harry Reid while he strokes his bald head.
“I’ve met Senator Reid at least twice,” he said. “When I first jumped into this race to the U.S. Senate, he and I had a very good, long conversation, and he has regularly called to check in and encourage me, and I’m grateful for his encouragement. But I’m running my own race for the people of Delaware, and I’m running to be an independent voice that will fight for Delaware’s families and Delaware’s concerns.”
The campaign has also responded to Reid’s unsettling “pet” remark with humor. Get this weird taste out of our mouths, Coons spokesman Daniel McElhatton!
“We’re hoping the Majority Leader will apologize to Chris’ wife, because she’s the only one who gets to call him that,” McElhatton responded with a laugh.
Ugh! Thanks, now we’re picturing how awful and strange it would be if Reid did actually apologize to Mrs. Coons for calling her husband his “pet.” You just turned the creepy relationship between Reid and Coons into an even creepier love triangle.
Chris Coons Pushes Back Against Harry Reid’s ‘Pet’ Comment: ‘I’m Running To Be An Independent Voice’ [HuffPo]
