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May 22, 2012

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Republican leader Bill Raggio endorses Harry Reid

Published Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010 | 3:04 p.m.

Updated Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010 | 6:53 p.m.

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Bill Raggio

Statement (.pdf)

Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, today endorsed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in his difficult re-election bid against Republican Sharron Angle.

In a statement, Raggio described Angle as an “ineffective” four-term assemblywoman who could not get along with others and said only Reid sought his endorsement.

Angle tried to oust Raggio in the 2008 Republican primary, but lost to the iconic Northern Nevada senator.

“After losing to me in a primary, during which she ran a very negative campaign and distorted my record, referred to me as a liar and a RINO, I never heard one word from her, or a concession, or an offer of support,” Raggio said. “Instead, she lent aid and comfort to an effort to recall me as State Senator.”

Raggio’s decision to endorse Reid isn’t much of a surprise given his history with Angle. But some speculate it could make his leadership of the Senate Republican caucus difficult next session.

Discussion: 26 comments so far...

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  1. Bill Raggio's the most level-headed republican in the state, and even he can see that Sharron Angle is not fit to hold the office of United States Senator.

  2. Angle wasn't fit for the state government, nevermind federal!!

    It sure says a lot that the Republican mayors of all the major cities in the state and now Bill Raggio are for Reid!

  3. well,well,well. even common sense is a dirty word to these teabaggers, listen to them moan. raggio feels that he has to give angle the same treatment she gave him; what goes around, comes around. say what you will about nevada politics. it sure the hell isnt boring. hows it feel, gbigs...i mean ldribbler?

  4. I commend Mr. Raggio for taking the politics out of this election. IMHO, a candidate's political affiliation should never be the reason one votes for him/her. It should be based on whether the politician offers research-based solutions to problems. There is a lot of research on government policies and how well they work, but we, as voters, need to be motivated enough to do the research. I have found in my over 40 years of voting, that many politicians will tell voters what they want to hear, but few of them research the viability of the policies they advocate, and voters are often left with voters' remorse.

  5. "The GOP replaced the Whigs, if the GOP is not responsible, it too can be shown the door." - ldribbler

    Actually, the Whigs are trying to make a comeback: http://www.modernwhig.org/

    It is being organized by a group of Afghan and Iraqi vets. I've reading on the various state sites and it looks good if it can get moving. I've been called a Whig before by people familiar with my beliefs.

    Something to point out, there is so far little or no religious component to the Modern Whig party.

  6. Thank you Mr. Raggio,

    http://sharronangle.blogspot.com/

  7. Hats off to Raggs!

    Any republican who takes on Raggio for this endorsement is a NINO, Nevadan In Name Only.

    Raggio is accutely aware just how obtuse Angle is.

  8. When a so called "Republican" comes out and endorses an ultra Liberal Democrat in an election against his party's nominee, that so called "Republican" proves the claim he is nothing but a RINO, as was claimed back in 2008.

    In recent years the major complaint heard from people was there was absolutely no difference between the parties. he candidates were exactly the same. This was true when the Republicans were infested with a whole bunch of RINOs that America has culled from the herd. That culling has continued and will continue as Conservatives are sick and tired of Elites from either party being completely out of touch with the citizens.

    Bill Raggio should start planning his 2014 campaign or retirement now, because shortly his primary opponents are going to be beginning.

  9. Billy Raggio reminds me a lot of Benedict Arnold. In fact, they both combed their hair the same way and were both angry and resentful.

  10. Comment removed by moderator. Language.

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