Reid Criticizes Mormons for Prop 8

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made an unprecedented statement of opposition to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its contributions to Proposition 8, telling a group of gay activists that he thinks the Mormon Church, of which he is a member, wasted resources and goodwill on the issue.

The statement marks a first for Reid, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. The senator faces a tough reelection battle next fall.

"Reid, a Democrat from Nevada, is the highest-ranking elected official who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He previously has not commented on the flood of Mormon money and volunteers who helped propel Proposition 8 to victory in November," reported The Salt Lake Tribune.

Reid brought up the topic with three organizers of the National Equality March during a private meeting at his office in Washington, D.C. The senator had signed a letter supporting the march.

According to The Salt Lake Tribune, he met with Derek Washington of Nevada, outreach director for the march; Robin McGehee, march codirector; and Lt. Dan Choi, an Iraq war veteran and Arabic translator who was ousted from the military under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Reid told them he talked recently with Mormons and criticized their Prop. 8 efforts as a poor application of resources.