Ralston cries ‘Lame!’ as foes of Harry Reid cry foul

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009 | 2:01 a.m.

“I expect (Harry Reid) to vaporize (Sue) Lowden or (Danny) Tarkanian or whoever is the opponent.”

— Anonymous Reid adviser, Politico, 10/20/09

And this is a bad thing?

Here’s what’s not news: That Reid will do anything to win, as I told Politico for the same piece. (Actually, I amended that to “anything that’s legal,” but no matter.)

Here’s what’s news: That anyone trying to be objective in this race would denigrate the instinct to destroy the opposition in a sport where toughness and indomitability should be prized and where a killer instinct separates the effective pols from the also-rans.

Forget the hackneyed boxing metaphors for former pugilist Reid. And I shall refrain from my 9,874th use of the adjectives “ruthless” and ”Machiavellian” to describe the senior senator. But that Team Reid would have the mentality to scorch the earth — and I have been saying this for weeks, months, years even — to ensure he survives is not exactly a shocking revelation, if colorfully put by the Reid intimate.

You want a politician and accomplices who believe that survival is the fittest thing to achieve and by (almost) any means necessary. This can easily be justified, too: If a Republican wants to remove the most powerful person Nevada has ever elected, he or she should expect nothing less than encountering a chamber of real horrors.

Let me be clear: The election is light years away and the debate has yet to be joined about how Reid has used that unprecedented power for Nevada and whether his ability to wield that influence actually has benefited the state. And even if it has, does that counterbalance his willingness to carry water for the national Democrats and President Barack Obama, if you oppose that agenda?

That’s what campaigns are supposed to be about, and the question of how Reid has exercised that power should be the seminal issue for discussion. I am not suggesting it will be in the end, but the fact that Team Reid is willing to unsheath the vaporizer to defend his seat is no vice. Quite the contrary.

And that’s why I found the reactions of Tarkanian and Lowden to be so pathetically whiny. I understand with a comically crowded primary that both need every free media hit they can snare. But their ripostes were so weak.

“Nevadans have tired of Harry Reid’s angry, vindictive threats — but today’s threat is one that must be taken seriously,” Lowden said. “After all, Sen. Reid has shown remarkable skill in vaporizing Nevada jobs, Nevada homeowners, Nevada tax dollars, our seniors’ access to a solvent Medicare program and our residents’ private health care choices.”

My goodness. First, the statement didn’t come from Reid but one of his allies. Second, it was neither angry nor vindictive — just a statement of fact. Third, if Reid indeed has vaporized Nevada homeowners, why hasn’t he been arrested as a serial killer?

As for Tarkanian, at least he quickly put up a clever Web ad showing Reid being vaporized and put out this statement: “Sen. Reid’s reckless runaway government spending is vaporizing the economic recovery he promised Nevada. Tax relief for families and small businesses is what will turn this economy around.”

Not a high cleverness quotient there, folks. Those are the usual Republican National Committee talking points, which have been the limit of what any of these Reid foes have used so far, displaying little originality as they try to capitalize on Reid Fatigue and anticipate a GOP wave to carry them to victory.

And in so doing, they raise the question: If you have a choice between a guy who vaporizes and an opponent who whines about it, whom do you choose?

This is the only way, all other things being equal, that the senator can survive. And he knows it.

Reid has had only two serious Senate elections. In 1986 a Reid aide planted questions with a reporter at his opponent’s announcement that caused the easily perspiring Jim Santini to look sweaty and unsure. A Reid camera crew captured the scene. The image later appeared in a series of devastating “Which Jim Santini do you believe?” commercials. On Election Day, Santini was vaporized.

In 1998 Reid almost lost to then-Rep. John Ensign, who was much younger and much more telegenic. Reid’s campaign was not nearly so smooth as 12 years earlier, but Ensign, like Santini, was vaporized (by 428 votes).

So, yes, Reid will do anything to survive. And instead of whining about it, his opponents would do well to consider whether, even if they can cut the majority leader, they really want to bring a knife to a vaporizer fight.

Discussion: 13 comments so far…

By fremmasmind

10/21/09 at 4:23 a.m.

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Jon, this was a sad but true article. I was kinda hoping to hear you give some good advice to help the Repubs. I guess not. Sad. I see you walking into the sunset, with a Reid in each hand. Sad.
By scherf_com

10/21/09 at 6:29 a.m.

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It doesn't even make sense to discuss Harry Reid for reelection, because he's just not going to win again. He has betrayed the trust of Nevadans as he put himself as a mere string puppet into the filthy hands of Nancy Pelosi. Now of course, Reid will boast of his "accomplishments" of bringing hundreds of millions to Nevada to pay Medicaid bills and for bringing perhaps as much as a few billion bucks to Nevada for a high-speed train project.

Nevertheless, Harry Reid has no influence in D.C. whatsoever as under his watch the White House has attacked Las Vegas and its economy costing Nevadans thousands of jobs and easily well over $100 million in business due to cancellations of conventions, meetings, etc. Meaning under "powerful" Harry Reid Nevada has entered into one of its worst recessions in its history and tens of thousands have lost their jobs and homes as major casino-resort companies were on the brink of bankruptcy.

Nevadans need new fresh faces and voices to represent them in D.C., because Harry Reid would just be the same old non-influential string-puppet there who does anything Pelosi and her cohorts want him to do. It's time for a true change, not just pocket change like Reid has left Nevadans with, but true fresh energy with action which only Tarkanian or the like will be able to produce and this will be beneficial for Nevada.
By Stratos

10/21/09 at 6:55 a.m.

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"Let me be clear" says Jon Ralson, like all the other copycats in the media and Congress. That's an Obama original, often used in his campaign speeches. Don't say he hasn't had influence.

Here's the latest one emerging now, no link to Obama far as I can tell. "UPBRAID" It's catching on around the web. Soon it'll be in news articles across the country.
By bbkld5

10/21/09 at 7:01 a.m.

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From here, all I can see is the millions that Harry has raised compared to the thousands by his opponents. National media noted recently that GOP fundraising lags far behind Dem fundraising. It's nearly safe to say that Harry has access to, by comparison, 100 dollars while his opponents have access to 10 dollars, and that includes out-of-state donors.
Reality: If the GOP wins, it won't be because of ideology or a few voters are tic'd off at him. It'll be because Harry was caught on film doing something stupid. He may say dumb things from time to time but Harry is not stupid.
By Patrick_R_Gibbons

10/21/09 at 8:19 a.m.

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Jon, what qualifies as "original" to you when it comes to political ideas? The way I see it, saying you're going to spend someone else's money on project X, Y, or Z isn't all that new either. Just slap in whatever fad is floating around, from baseball parks, river walks to light rail and mag-lev.

Maybe we could drop the demagoguery and just recognize that both sides are "unoriginal" but have different ideas on how to solve the same problem. One side thinks they're smarter than everyone else and so should be empowered to spend everyone's money. The other side -- at least verbally, though often not by action -- believes that individuals should have, keep, and spend their own money as they see fit.
By Birdiedreamin

10/21/09 at 10:19 a.m.

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hey jon...
excellent article...
it is funny how the stupid pathetic republican clowns...
with all of their macho darwinian economic policies...
which leave those less fortunate to die by the wayside...
which always include tax cuts for those with all the advantages in life...
it is funny how these macho blowhards...
turn into driveling little whiners when things don't go their way...
what a bunch of losers...
pathetic...
absolutely pathetic...
and this from the party of karl i have no morals whatsoever rove...
hee hee hee...
hoo hoo hoo...
haa haa haa...
By pmmart

10/21/09 at 3:18 p.m.

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"turn into driveling little whiners when things don't go their way..."

I bet the bird doesn't have any mirrors around the birdcage.
By AngryReader

10/21/09 at 4:33 p.m.

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I fully expect the Republican primary battle to weaken any Reid opponent to the point they might as well withdraw from the race.

Reid will be able to sit back, save cash, and mop up whoever survives the Lowden, Tarkanian, other-gluttons-for-punishment war.

Even people in Nevada are not stupid enough to vote out a Senate Majority Leader. At least I hope not.
By Blueberry

10/22/09 at 9:02 a.m.

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I know the most vocal among you may be shocked to find out that there are lots of people in this state who still support Sen. Reid. All of the ranting on sites like this and at tea bag parties are not swaying us -- we simply hear your rants and see paranoia. I actually feel sorry for you because all of this anger is not healthy.
By Future

10/22/09 at 2:23 p.m.

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"That anyone trying to be objective in this race would denigrate the instinct to destroy the opposition in a sport where toughness and indomitability should be prized and where a killer instinct separates the effective pols from the also-rans....You want a politician and accomplices who believe that survival is the fittest thing to achieve and by (almost) any means necessary...."

This view of what a Democrat should be is wrong.

I want a Congressman to be able to understand and pass good laws that do not reward some (Unions, AMA, etc.) and Penalize taxpayers and our grandkids.

Reid is truely inept as a lawmaker.

A good street fighter does not mean a good lawmaker.
By dwms

10/23/09 at 1:39 a.m.

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Sen. Reid bankrupted State of Nevada with his "Family Reunification Plan". That is, children suffer wrongful deaths, abuse and/or neglect because they are court ordered into the care of their abusers. The wrongful deaths of Las Vegas children is now eight times what it was before implementation of the program.

One just needs to ask about the Bogden/Brower fiasco to know there's a problem.

Now, Las Vegas resident Lavoni T. Kidd has won federal court decisions, including a published ruling from the US Supreme Court. This decision states there is no longer government immunity; and, in such cases, the personal assets of the government agent can be seized.

Sen. Harry Reid - You are hereby noticed not to transfer, hide, or conceal public, private and personal assets going forward. YOUR RIGHT!
By liberalview21

10/23/09 at 10:42 a.m.

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The people of Nevada are sick of Harry Reid. He's a lap dog for Pelosi and Obama. The people will wise up and put a fresh face in the Senate come 2010.
By JohnChachas

10/24/09 at 4:55 a.m.

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Let's get Senator Reid on the stage in front of the people of Nevada, Jon, and have the discussion about:

Deficits -- 43% of what the Federal gov't spent last year, it borrowed...astounding
Tax policy -- the VAT tax Reid and Mrs. Pelosi are starting to chat about to pay for their government gone wild will be highly regressive to middle income Americans and elongate this recession (anyone notice it hasn't really ended in Las Vegas regardless of what the political hacks say?)
Patronage -- is it good that Mr. Reid writes bills that apply to everyone else in America, but not Nevadans? As Nevadans we think that's fair and appropriate stewardship of the nation?
Government intervention -- So now we the people own 60% of GM, which abjectly failed...is still failing...and czars and "special masters" are deciding on pay rather than boards of directors.
Bail-Outs -- Which industry does the government intend to bail-out next with our money? Maybe, Jon, you newspaper publishers want a little government support? (He might then comment on your salary...be careful).

Next February Clark County's unemployment will be touching 14% on the present trajecory. If you add the under-employed, it's pushing 20%. Yet, is Mr. Reid focused on jobs? Where?

Mr. Reid and Mrs. Pelosi are spending all their time and our money trying to procedurally push through a Federal alternative to private-sector health-care (their so-called "public option") which no one seems to trust or want. He's singing to Mr. Axelrod and the far progressive end of the Democratic political spectrum. He can't even get enough centrist Democratic Senators to support it.

Senator Reid is failing America and Nevada with his policies. He's only exceeded in his failure of leadership by his pal Mrs. Pelosi.

I'm ready to debate Mr. Vaporizer anywhere he wants. I think you should moderate this, Jon. It would be fun to see the Senator Reid answer a question without a teleprompter.

Let's as Republicans stop whining about his old-school political bluster and start proposing alternatives to his failed old-school, partisan thinking.

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