Reid Web page garners responses

Suzanne Struglinski

Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005 | 10:05 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- More than 108 people have posted responses to Web log entries made by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., on the Web site GiveEmHellHarry.com that he unveiled Wednesday.

The site is part of Reid's effort to have Democrats take control of the Senate after the 2006 election, said Erik Smith, spokesman for Friends for Harry Reid.

It is meant to complement work done by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Reid's pays for it himself out of his own campaign fund. Smith did not have an estimate for how much is costs to run the site.

Smith said the Web log, commonly known as a blog, came from Reid.

"There was a desire on part of Sen. Reid to really become part of the grassroots activist community," Smith said. "It's an effort to use whatever notoriety has gets as leader, more to capture people who are interested and inspired by Harry Reid."

Blue State Digital, a company started by some web developers from former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean's presidential bid, created the site. Dean now leads the Democratic National Committee.

Billboards promoting the site will run in Montana, New Mexico and Arizona to help show that "Democrats will compete and win in the West," Smith said.

Reid has made two blog entries so far, which he has written himself. One calls for more energy independence and another takes a shot at the American Petroleum Institute.

"Recently, a lobbyist from the American Petroleum Institute (the lobbying arm of big oil) was overheard at a bar saying, 'we're the richest trade association in town.' That comment sums up their response to record gas prices before and following Hurricane Katrina. As gas prices shoot up, they're counting their money and buying drinks for their friends," Reid wrote.

Comments posted to Reid's entries run the gamut, from strong supporters to one who wrote "Harry Reid -you have ripped off Nevada Taxpayers with your phony land scams and personal favors for relatives for years."

Smith said Reid will make entries depending on what is happening.

The site takes it's title from the phrase "Give 'em hell, Harry!" first made popular during the presidency of Harry Truman but also shouted during Reid's own campaign events.

Suzanne Struglinski covers Washington for the Sun. She can be reached at (202) 662-7245 or by e-mail at suzanne@lasvegassun.com.