Back in January, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) fell while working out and badly injured his eye. He’s since had surgery to try to restore his vision, and he’s worn an eye bandage, patch, or sunglasses throughout this year’s Senate session.
Harry Reid loves Rand Paul even more since he injured his eye
Nicholas Kamm / AFP / Getty
Andrew Prokop is a senior politics correspondent at Vox, covering the White House, elections, and political scandals and investigations. He’s worked at Vox since the site’s launch in 2014, and before that, he worked as a research assistant at the New Yorker’s Washington, DC, bureau.
But this Wednesday, on the Senate floor, Reid mentioned that one member of the majority had been particularly helpful to him in his recovery — Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), an ophthalmologist, who was presiding over the Senate while Reid spoke. Reid praised Paul for being so “considerate” and “kind,” and for “giving me hope”:
REID: Just as an aside, most everyone knows at this point that on New Year’s Day I fell and hurt myself, my right eye. During this period of time, the presiding officer, who by the way is a medical doctor and ophthalmologist, has been so kind and thoughtful and considerate. In visiting with me, giving me encouragement, and some expert advice as to what he’s seen in the past, and giving me hope for better sight on my right eye. And I really appreciate it very, very much. And I want the people of Kentucky to know how thoughtful and considerate and kind you’ve been to me over these months.
Reid's lofty opinion of Paul predates his injury. Back in July of last year, he expressed similar sentiments to a group of reporters, including Vox. "I really like the guy. I just like him as a person," Reid said. When Paul first joined the Senate, Reid thought he was the "new Jesse Helms. But he's just a super-nice guy."
(Hat tip: Burgess Everett and Betsy Woodruff)
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