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StumblePublished Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010 | 6:25 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010 | 7:52 p.m.
Bill Raggio
Sun archives
- State Sen. Bill Raggio bagged by his own party (11-5-2010)
- Bill Raggio calls his ouster a ‘pyrrhic victory’ for GOP agitators (11-4-2010)
- GOP warfare: Raggio’s leadership position in state Senate challenged (11-3-2010)
- Reid endorsement may put Raggio on the outs in GOP (10-31-2010)
- NV GOP chief says Raggio endorsement threatens his leadership post; refuses to say he’d support Ensign in 2012 (10-8-2010)
- Raggio: I’m with Reid, against Angle because she’s so extreme, but still against Obama’s agenda (10-7-2010)
- Republican leader Bill Raggio endorses Harry Reid (10-7-2010)
In a candid interview with the Las Vegas Sun today, Senate Minority Leader Mike McGinness, R-Fallon, said telling Sen. Bill Raggio, R-Reno, that he was poised to take over as minority leader was akin to the difficult decision to take the keys to the car away from an aging father.
“I went to Sen. Raggio the day before (the official caucus vote) because I thought the honorable thing to do was to tell him I was going to do this,” McGinness said. “It was not a fun time. It was kind of like taking your dad’s keys away and telling him he can’t drive anymore.
“Sen. Raggio has been very supportive of me over the years and all of my campaigns. So it was very difficult.”
In his first lengthy interview since ousting Raggio from the position he had held for nearly 30 years, McGinness said he feared Raggio would become a lightning rod for the animated Republican Party divisions that have marred the past two election cycles.
That dynamic could have stalemated any meaningful debate over taxes, the budget and other important state issues, McGinness said.
“I thought it was the right thing for the caucus and for the party,” he said.
Still, Raggio, who had feared just such a coup since the 2003 tax debate, refused to see it as anything but a personal attack at the end of his iconic career in the state Legislature.
“He told me this is very personal,” McGinness said. “I said, ‘No, it’s politics.’ But he just said it was like a slap in the face.
“So, that was, I mean, I admire and respect him. It was really difficult to do that.”
McGinness said Raggio bowed out “graciously.”
In the end, Raggio failed to muster enough votes to stave off McGinness’s ascension. Raggio withdrew his name from contention, clearing the way for a unanimous vote by the caucus.
McGinness added that the pair have had several conversations since he became leader, describing Raggio as helpful and congenial.
Raggu is history...
A reminder to be true to your cause...
Taking the keys from an aging father? Really? McGinness is arrogant SOB.
Bill Raggio is smarter than Mike McGinness on any day, any time. Ideally, Raggio will remember who--his party, his region--screwed him at the end of his career.
Nevada Republicans are nothing short of a bunch of freaking idiots. They will cut of their nose to spite their face. Look at who they chose to run against Sharron "the nutcase" Angle for US Senate.
I hope they keep thinking like mental midgets, we all benefit when they act so ridiculous..............
Who are Raggio's biggest fans......Democrats!!!!
"... true to your cause"? Really, Larry? Must fall in lockstep, eh? No room for debate, differences?
Sounds eerily familiar, though I don't imagine you'd see that.
Yeah, McGinnes;
Ensign is running for re-election, so let's line up the troops. All of the troops must sign on or else. Let's set morals aside for "politics", it's not personal.
McGinnis - "It was not a fun time. It was kind of like taking your dad's keys away and telling him he can't drive anymore."
Translation - "Ooh! Boy oh boy oh boy, it's my turn, it's my turn, it's my turn, get out of the way old man - I've wanted this car for such a long time!"
what a freak show! the gutless,' kick him while hes down' attitude of the republicans should be taught to all our school children as an ezample of why this nation is failing. these slugs and their followers are pond scum.
>Raggio, who had feared just such a coup since the 2003 tax debate, refused to see it as anything but a personal attack at the end of his iconic career in the state Legislature.<
Sounds like something Charlie Rangel would say.
Career politicians over the years become oblivious to reality the cause being a sense of entitlement... "the constituents work for and owe them".
It is interesting to see all of the Liberal commenters would come to the aid of a Republican.
Raggu is a turncoat and is now history...
A reminder to be true to your cause and don't sell out for a few bucks...
Raggio is one of the few Republicans with a brain.
HeHe, got you Demorat liberals frothing at the mouth. Rhino Raggio got his just rewards. Too bad he is still hanging around for 1 more session. No more tax increases!
Sgt jfnance32 Rock is a complete hypocrite. He's whined for years about "goosestepping" liberals, yet he celebrates goosestepping in the GOP.
Haven't we discussed this topic about a half dozen times?
WHO CARES about what's his name...
@LarryVegas
"Be true to your cause"
No matter what it does to your state ?
"It was kind of like taking your dad's keys away and telling him he can't drive anymore"
HA HA HA! So True. Find somebody to change Raggio's Depends! S'Long RINO!
I guess only Democrats like turn-coats...