When it comes to economic problems, there’s no doubt that the Republicans aren’t blameless, so don’t imagine that I won’t be willing to hold them accountable for their actions--often irresponsible and self-serving--on this issue. But then there’s Harry Reid.

Let’s just say that I agree with a good chunk of this short article from Tom Bemis on MarketWatch.com.

U.S. Senate Majority leader Harry Reid has said he doesn’t have a clue about how to fix the financial crisis.

“No one knows what to do. We are in new territory here. This is a different game,” the Democrat from Nevada said late Wednesday. In fact, Congress is likely to do what it usually does when the chips are down—punt.

Still it’s amazing that, in the biggest financial crisis since the Depression, the man in charge of the world’s greatest deliberative body can’t even think of the one thing everybody else has to do when times are tough: cut the budget.

It really isn’t brain surgery; it’s just addition and subtraction—well, really just subtraction.

The problem is, it’s so simple, probably only a hockey mom could understand it.

And that’s the real issue.

I do disagree with one thing, though: Bemis states that he thinks that proclaiming ignorance is a good political move for the Democrats. He might be right, but I can’t imagine that an elected official admitting that he’s clueless on an important issue is ever a good thing. If that casts any kind of a shadow on Obama at all--which, perhaps it doesn’t--then it doesn’t help his presidential bid, does it?

I personally think that Harry Reid just gave the Republicans a gift wrapped pro-McCain ad.

Picture it with somber music, an authoritative voiceover: “The economy is in trouble and our leaders need to take action. What is the Democrat’s plan?”

Harry Reid: “No one knows what to do...”

Voiceover: “Harry Reid and the Democrats aren’t ready to lead on one of the most important issues of our time, but John McCain has a plan to cut government spending, strengthen the economy, and make jobs.”

Seriously. Gift wrapped.