Leadership Issues

(Fox News) - Democratic Congressman Heath Shuler of North Carolina says his party's failure to pursue a bipartisan compromise on the stimulus has eroded the program's credibility. And he is singling out House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

"I truly feel that's where maybe House leadership and Senate leadership have really failed."

So how did Senator Reid’s spokesman respond to the criticism? By slamming Shuler's record as a professional football player.

Jim Manley e-mailed The Politico newspaper, "Let me get this straight — this is coming from a guy who threw more than twice as many interceptions than touchdowns?"

The statement did defend the stimulus as a bipartisan bill. But it ended by pointing out that Shuler has been rated the fourth biggest draft bust in NFL history. Manley does not explain why Shuler's performance in the NFL is relevant to the stimulus package.