Senate Democratic chief Harry Reid said that Alan Greenspan was "one of the biggest political hacks we have in Washington."

* Senate Democratic chief Harry Reid said that Alan Greenspan was "one of the biggest political hacks we have in Washington." Greenspan achieved this hackdom by supporting President Bush on Social Security reform and on tax cuts, albeit with qualifications in both instances. It is certainly true that Greenspan bends with the political winds.

He helped President Clinton raise taxes in 1993. But back then, of course, he was considered a statesman rather than a hack. The attack on Greenspan can hardly advance Reid's political agenda, however much it may thrill the likes of Paul Krugman. The senator may yet find that there is something worse than being the biggest political hack in town, and that is being the least effective one.

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