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• Wednesday, January 7, 2009 03:41 PM

  Give 'Em Hype, Harry!

  Here's a nice e-mail New Year's Newsletter from Harry Reid!

  I bolded the buried lede. I see it as a not-very-subliminal statement of the Prime Directive, or theme, of the incoming administration. Seeding the meme here to create a buzz, and get the Big Mo.

  Mush! Giddyap! Let's light this candle! "Don't Look Back, Redux"! Forward into the past! Yes We Can!

  Of course, despite the relatively non-discouraging appointment of Dawn Johnsen, I remain hypervigilant and paranoid over the prospect of Obama attempting a variation of the Big Lie: The Big Leapfrog, in which Obama amazingly soars from the podium, bearing the Rug of Reconciliation on his shoulders-- and, what the hell, wearing a stovepipe hat-- and lands on the Truman Balcony with said rug perfectly laid over a 21st-Century multitude of sins, high crimes, and misdemeanors.

  And we shall never speak of those dreadful things again!

  So yeah, maybe I'm reading too much into this devolved hack's pep talk. But I would've felt better if instead, he'd written, "And I'm looking forward to helping to set a lot of wrongs to rights!"

  ________________________________________________

  Dear [Little Brother],

  Yesterday was a terrific day to be a Democrat. We swore in 7 new senators, a true testament to all the hard work you put in to ensure a Democratic victory last November.

  We still face huge challenges - a slumping economy, the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a looming climate crisis. But looking out over the Senate chamber yesterday, I feel more confident than ever that our new senators - backed by your tireless grassroots support - will be a huge part of turning this country around.

  I, for one, am eager to turn the page on the last eight years.

  As we welcome these new and vibrant leaders into the Senate, I am reminded of how crucial a role your support for the DSCC played in our stunning victories. Because we could rely on your committed support from the beginning, we were able to recruit terrific candidates like Kay Hagan in North Carolina and Mark Warner in Virginia. Your tireless support for our ongoing field and media campaigns helped us win close races for Mark Begich in Alaska and Jeff Merkley in Oregon.

  The DSCC, under the skillful new leadership of Sen. Bob Menendez is already laying the foundation for even more victories in 2010. I know that bringing the change this country needs will take every one of the 59 Democratic seats you have already helped us win, and that if we can win even more in 2 years time, we can help President-elect Obama achieve greater and greater goals.

  Thank you once again for everything you have already done to support the DSCC and for everything you will continue to do. We truly owe all of our success to your steadfast dedication.

  Sincerely,

  Harry Reid

  —Little Brother Read Little Brother's other letters
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