Cornyn says Reid should step down

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas.) is joining RNC chairman Michael Steele in calling for Harry Reid to step down as Majority Leader.

Cornyn, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), said Reid's use of the term "Negro" and his description of then-candidate Barack Obama as "light-skinned" are in the same category as the controversial comments that forced Trent Lott to step aside as Majority Leader in 2002.

Here's Cornyn's full statement:

"It's difficult to see this situation as anything other than a clear double standard on the part of Senate Democrats and others. In 2002, Democrats expressed outrage at Senator Lott and called on him to step down as Leader. That same standard should be applied to Senator Reid and his embarrassing and racially insensitive statements; statements, I would add, that Senator Reid still has yet to clarify.  As we await his explanation, Senator Reid should do the right thing, follow the example that he himself set in 2002, and step down as Majority Leader."

Reid has apologized for his remarks, and President Obama said that "book is closed" on the situation.