HE DIDN'T.  TELL ME HE DIDN'T – AT 7:25 A.M. ET:  Well, it isn't the first time Harry Reid has made a fool of himself, but this takes some kind of prize for dumbness.  From The Politico:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had an unusual form of praise for New York's junior senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, this morning at the fundraiser Mayor Bloomberg hosted for him at his townhouse - referring to her as "the hottest member" as she sat just a few feet away, according to three sources.

The comment prompted Gillibrand to turn red, according to the sources, and created a bit of stir among the small crowd there.

"It was pretty shocking when he said it," said one source familiar with the remark and the reaction.

A Reid spokesman confirmed it happened, but also noted that the Democratic Majority Leader also praised Gillibrand for her work.

First Bloomberg spoke, then Sen. Chuck Schumer, and then Reid, according to the sources. Reid praised Schumer at length, discussing how he could have run for governor - and won - in 2006, but didn't, and instead accepted the Nevada senator's entreaties to run the DSCC.

Then he turned his attention to Gillibrand, saying something about how "many senators are known for many things," according to a source. He added, "We in the Senate refer to Sen. Gillibrand as the hottest member."

COMMENT:  Well, I'll be.  Can you imagine, just imagine, if a Republican had said that about a female member of Congress?  There would be calls for resignation, punishment. 

We await word on what impact Reid's silliness will have in his tight race for reelection in Nevada, where he's opposed by Tea Partier Sharron Angle.   

There is also speculation that Reid faces a possible assassination attempt from Barbara Boxer, who thinks she's the hottest member. 

September 21, 2010