Is Berkley running for the Senate? “I’m not prepared to share that answer with you”

Thursday, March 24, 2011 | 8:55 p.m.

And, yet (!), that implies there is an answer to give.

Rep. Shelley Berkley said she wasn't ready but at times sounded as if she wanted to announce a bid for the U.S. Senate on "Face to Face" on Thursday evening. I pushed her hard but she didn't crack, although a between-the-lines reading indicated she might be now leaning toward a bid after being torn for so long. I had thought she might not do it, as some national Democrats weren't as enthusiastic about her candidacy and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has not always been a Berkley booster. Despite what she said (or wouldn't say) about a poll taken for her about Mark Mellman, I think it encouraged her. So if the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee doesn't pout the kibosh on it -- and, perhaps, even if it does -- I think she is in, especially because I understand her husband is enthusiastically behind the idea.

Here's a transcript of the relevant segment:

JR: I want to ask you straight out: Are you running for the U.S. Senate?

SB: Um, Jon, I am not prepared to share that answer with you.

JR: You have an answer though? You know?

SB: Jon, you know, I feel like I have been pregnant now for 15 months. Um, but the reality is this: there is a number of people who are asking me this. I am traveling back and throughout the state, I am getting advice from a number of people who I have a great deal of respect for – who represent all parts parts of this state, and when this process is over I am going to make a decision. It is going to be an informed decision and it is going to be a good decision.

JR: Are you saying you haven’t made a decision yet?

SB: I am saying that…

JR: (CROSS TALK) You are not prepared to disclose it. You made a decision, you had Mark Mellman, who is a professional pollster who did Harry Reid’s work and hit that race, nailed it right on the head, you had him do a poll for you. That poll is done?

SB: Mark, as you know, is a very good friend of mine. I have asked him to do all forms of communication for me and when his work is done he will present it to me and then I will present it to you. I promise, Jon.

JR: You know what, in all the years I have known you have never really acted like a politician – it is one of the things that endears you to a lot of people – just tell us the truth. It’s obvious that if you are talking this way you are leaning towards doing it. You are going to northern Nevada, you are going to be in Washoe County, you are going to be in Fallon! Did you even know where Fallon was on the map, Congresswoman?

SB: Yes, I knew – when I was a University Regent we went to all of our 17 states (sic) as a board of regents and yes I am very familiar with the state, as you know. Um, this is, as you know this is a very challenging decision. I am going to make the decision when I am ready. Now, let me ask you something, Jon: I know you love this stuff, and this is how you make your living, and that is certainly understandable, but we just went through a 2010 election that people did not want to turn on their televisions anymore, they didn’t want to answer their phones because of the robo calls, I know if I choose, if I decide with a lot of advice that I am going to get into the race that the race starts the day that I announce. I think that the people of Nevada are not ready for an 18 month election, and I don’t think anybody should be, and I don’t feel the need to make a decision right away, other then to make you happy.

JR: Somewhere in there is an insult that I am unreasonably obsessed with what you are going to do…(CROSSTALK, LAUGHTER). You would not be the first guest to insult me, nor would that be the first insult that you directed my way on this program. However, you are saying that the people are not ready for it, you are saying that you have gotten all the information you need, you are essentially saying that you are not prepared to say, but what about reading between the lines here…

SB: …You are reading between the lines!

JR: …the billions of people who are watching around the world – watching this program…

SB: …no one in Vegas…

JR: …listen to you, but in Fallon they want to know. You are running. Just say it. Just say it right here.

SB: I am not prepared to do that yet but I think it is important that a part of this process is to go up to Reno, to go up to Fallon. I haven’t been in Fallon in a few years, I think it would be important to go sit and talk to the people that are there, that are part of that community. And get some input from them, they are entitled to that, too.