The Boxer of Searchlight

Senate minority leader Harry Reid appears to have accepted some free tickets to a boxing match:

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid accepted free ringside tickets from the Nevada Athletic Commission to three professional boxing matches while that state agency was trying to influence him on federal regulation of boxing.

Some believe it’s a sign of Democratic hypocrisy while others think it’s a tempest in a teapot. Regardless, I thought this statement by Reid spiked the B.S. meter:

Reid said he would never change his position because of donations, free tickets, or a request from a staffer-turned-lobbyist.

“People who deal with me and have over the years know that I am an advocate for what I believe in. I always try to do it fair, never take advantage of people on purpose,” he said.

Well. Apparently the incorruptible Harry Reid has the super-human ability to always vote his conscience, regardless of how many free meals fall his way. Remarkable. Meanwhile, that weakling John McCain paid $1,400 for his tickets – somebody has a guilty conscience, no?

Extra – Is Harry Reid losing his constituency in Nevada? We won’t know until 2010 anyway.