Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada), the incoming Senate minority leader, is already drawing controversy for his comments about the future makeup of the U.S. Supreme Court.

In an interview Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press," Reid called Justice Antonin Scalia "one smart guy" and said he could back him as Chief Justice even though he disagrees with his opinions. But Reid said he had concerns about Scalia's ethics in light of a case where Scalia refused to recuse himself.

The comments riled liberal activist groups who oppose the promotion of such a staunch conservative as Scalia. Meanwhile, some conservative were upset that Reid called Justice Clarence Thomas, the only African-Amercan on the court, "an embarrassment " who writes poor opinions.

Get the Story:
Reid Says He Could Back Scalia for Chief Justice (The Washington Post 12/7)
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