GOP starts campaign against Harry Reid

By Lisa Mascaro

Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009 | 6:15 p.m.

WASHINGTON — Today must have been as good a day as any to start the TV campaign against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s 2010 re-election, according to the folks at the National Republican Senatorial Committee, who announced the launch of their first ad of the season against the Nevadan.

Many voices warned that the committee would be more aggressive in its attacks on Reid now that Nevada’s own Sen. John Ensign was no longer at the helm.

Ensign and Reid famously choose to keep any personal differences private, and Ensign even toned down of the committee’s TV ads so as not to directly attack Reid — which did not go over well in some Republican circles.

The committee’s new chairman, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, has no such relationship.

The attacks on Reid have been coming fast and furious since Congress resumed earlier this month.

Republicans have been gearing up for a big attack on Reid — toppling him would be a major coup after two consecutive cycles of electoral losses in Congress.

Plus, the committee seems interested in avoiding the trap Ensign hit by not forcing sitting senators to defend their seats. That left Democrats last cycle able to play almost exclusively offense.

“Releasing a television ad this early in the cycle demonstrates the NRSC’s commitment to holding Senate Democrats accountable and electing Republican candidates in 2010,” the committee said.

You can watch the ad here, at the new website www.REIDistrubutewealth.com .

Basically, it highlights Reid’s support for last year’s unpopular $700 billion Wall Street bailout as well as his efforts to pass the massive economic recovery package.

Reid’s office said the early ad showed just how hard it will be to beat the senator.

“The country is in the worst economic condition since the Great Depression and Sen. Reid is working with Republicans to rebuild Nevada and the nation,” said Reid spokesman Jon Summers.

“Voters sent a very clear message in November: they are tired of bickering and they want change that will make a difference to their lives. Unfortunately, Republicans are choosing to ignore that message.”