Reid calls Iraq war 'worst foreign policy blunder' in U.S. history

PROVO — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 "the worst foreign policy blunder in our country's history" during a speech Tuesday at Brigham Young University.

A substantial portion of the 4,091 students, faculty, staff and visitors at the Marriott Center for the University Forum applauded Reid's statement. An equal number then applauded when he gave equal time to the other side: "Some say this war of choice was our only reasonable alternative."

The senator from Nevada's wide-ranging, well-received talk covered his rise from an impoverished childhood and the constant questions about his membership in the Democrat Party and in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"It is not uncommon for members of the church to ask how I can be a Mormon and a Democrat," he said. "Some of you have wondered, too, huh?"

Reid said the Republican majority among church members is simply cyclical. "Democrats have not always been in the minority, and I believe we won't be for too long."

Reid believes his faith informs his politics. "I am a Democrat because I am a Mormon, not in spite of it," he said.

He discussed his faith, bearing testimony of his belief in Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon and the prophethood of both church founder Joseph Smith and LDS Church president Gordon B. Hinckley.

He also described his and his family's faithfulness, noting that all five of his children attended BYU and married in LDS temples. The three boys served LDS missions.

"Prayer has always been an important part of my adult life," he said.

Abortion is a major reason many LDS turn to Republican circles, but Reid called himself is proof someone can be pro-life and a Democrat, and said he has been so through 25 years in Congress.

Calling his position as leader of Senate Democrats "the world's best job," he declined to take sides in the Democratic presidential primary.

What about fellow Mormon Mitt Romney, who is running for the Republican nomination?

"I hope that Mitt Romney's presidential bid is determined by his political stands, and not his religion," Reid said, drawing applause from the majority of the audience.

Reid spent the first half of his 40-minute speech describing his journey from an underprivileged, non-religious childhood in tiny Searchlight, Nev., to his position as the highest-ranking Mormon in American government.

Reid and his wife Landra joined the LDS Church while students at Utah State University. The Reids now have 16 grandchildren.

Reid said his hero is Franklin Delano Roosevelt.