Reid: Romney cooperation pitch 'laughable'

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney's claim that Democrats will cooperate with him as president is "laughable."

In what his campaign called his "closing argument," Romney said in Wisconsin Friday President Barack Obama "will still be unable to work with the people in Congress" if he is re-elected and the consequences could include another recession.

"The debt ceiling will come up again, and shutdown and default will be threatened, chilling the economy," Romney said.

The Republican nominee says he would be able to work with Democrats in Congress, citing his experience as a Republican governor when the Massachusetts Legislature was dominated by Democrats.

Reid, D-Nev., issued a statement Friday noting the Senate -- controlled by Democrats -- has already voted to reject numerous policies Romney supports, including budget proposals by Romney's running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.

"Romney's fantasy that Senate Democrats will work with him to pass his 'severely conservative' agenda is laughable," Reid said.

Reid said Romney "had a terrible relationship" with Massachusetts Democrats "and in the near-decade that Mitt Romney has spent running for president, both his words and his actions have shown that pleasing the far right is more important to him than working across the aisle."

"There is nothing in Mitt Romney's record to suggest he would act any differently as president," Reid said.

Democratic aides said Reid regards many Republicans -- including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky -- as pragmatic and willing to compromise, but sees Romney as unserious, The National Journal said Friday.