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Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010 | 11:43 a.m.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., left, accompanied by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., right, and Senate Democrats, gestures during a health care news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009.
Sun Coverage
WASHINGTON -- Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd’s announcement today that he will not seek re-election puts Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in the top spot as the nation’s most vulnerable Democratic senator in 2010.
Reid and Dodd had been vying for the No. 1 position on several election watch lists, as both suffer from dangerously low approval ratings in their home states.
When asked which Democratic senator was the most vulnerable during a panel discussion in October, Senate analyst Jennifer Duffy of the Cook Political Report wavered between the two before settling on Dodd.
Today, though, with the Connecticut senator’s announcement he will forego a sixth term, Reid takes over.
Reid, Duffy said, is the most vulnerable -- “for the moment,” she said.
Reid’s re-election troubles are no secret as Nevadans seem ambivalent to the power he has amassed in Washington, according to some polls. Internal polling shows Reid faring better.
Republicans have had Reid in their sights ever since he began his ascent as party leader in 2004, and the race in Nevada is expected to become nationalized as a proxy battle on the Obama administration policies.
Even without an A-list frontrunner on the Republican side to challenge Reid in Nevada, the election is expected to draw Republican donors and machinery from across the country into the state in an attempt to take down the majority leader.
As many as 10 Republicans have suggested they will run in the June primary, with former state party leader Sue Lowden and UNLV basketball star-turned-businessman Danny Tarkanian emerging to lead the pack. Reid also faces a potential challenge from a perennial candidate now running as a Democrat.
Reid's campaign has been working to raise a $25 million war chest, run TV ads and re-introduce the powerful senator to the state’s transient population.
In many ways, the new ranking is more a psychological shift rather than one that would dramatically alter the dynamics or mechanics of the race.
"National Republicans made it clear from day one that Sen. Reid would be their top political target," said Reid campaign manager Brandon Hall. "We will continue to build an aggressive campaign so Sen. Reid can continue his work to create jobs and turn around Nevada's struggling economy."
After enjoying dominance in the past two election cycles, Democrats are facing difficulties heading into November as the national mood shifts.
Dodd’s announcement comes a day after fellow Democratic Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota announced he, too, would not seek re-election in what was expected to be a potentially difficult race.
Most analysts believe Democrats will lose seats in the midterm election in both the House and Senate but retain control of both chambers.
On Tuesday, national political analyst Stu Rothenberg in Washington shifted Democratic Rep. Dina Titus’ seat slightly toward Republicans – setting up another potentially difficult election in the historically politically-split Southern Nevada district that supported Obama.
In the Senate, the days of the Democrats' 60-seat supermajority, needed to break the filibuster of Republican opposition, seem increasingly numbered.
Funny you fail to mention the 6 republicans that wont be running?
Good thing sexual predator John Ensign's term is not up yet...
Goodbye Harry, DLTDHYOTWO. Every one of these creeps should have a Special Prosecutor give them a full once over.
Tarkanian 2010
You can see it now. Dodd and Reid riding off into the sunset together. Hopefully in a federal pen. Two thieves in a pod.
" Oh ! Oh what a lonely boy! Oh what a lonely boy! " Bye Bye Harry...
It is now time for Larry Ruvo to step up to the plate...or even Sig Rogich...
Democrat or republican..don't vote "The Party", Vote to get rid of him..
"Getting rid of them" is not the answer. we will simply bring in a new crop of corporate owned politicians.
Tankanian is even worse...
When the "party" is voted out, its puppets' are no longer in play.
Voting Libertarian is a vote for liberty.
: {
Libertarians are just another term for republican. The problem is libertarians want less civil rights and personal freeedoms for the people. The main agenda is to remove the separation of church and state. Libertarians want a church state at the cost of liberty.
No thanks. I'll take the "party" any party over the libertarians.
No wonder Las Vegas is so messed up. The ignorance of readers is evinced by Nick's utter misconception of Libertarians, which are the complete opposite of what he described. One of the most famous Libertarians is Penn Jillett, a Las Vegas resident and an avowed Atheist.
Said ignorance is further illustrated by "serious" who thinks Larry Ruvo or Sig Rogich should "step up to the plate". Rogich is one of the "Republicans for Reid". Mr. Ruvo is a smart businessman and a visionary, but he is a liquor dealer which would pretty much ensure Reid gets the Mormon vote.
Y'all get the government you deserve, geniuses.
Dragon: Wake up. Libertarians are the christian right in desguise. Just because some athiest is in the party does not change the facts.
Yes, there are gay republicans and athiest libertarians and likely small goverment democrats. Exceptions do not make the rule.
Look at Ron Paul and Bob Barr. Or even Patrick Gibbons that always fights for tax dollars to churches to provide school vouchers. Libertarians always fight to tax us and give to churches saying "better services" "educational choice" or some other nonsense.
Libertarians are against separation of church and state.
Rest assured Nick you're not alone in your shackled ignorance as it is shared by the masses that don't deserve what they cannot comprehend -- the liberty from an oppressive government.
"Mankind is more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed." -- T. Jefferson; The Declaration of Independence, 4 July 1776.
FWIW: My cousin is a Catholic Priest who privately admits religious organizations are no different than casinos, governments, etc. which are in the business of fleecing people out of their money.
"Question with boldness even the existence of a God, because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folder's fear." - T. Jefferson Letter, 10 Aug. 1787.
: {
Libertarians like Bob Barr and Ron Paul are long time republicans. Both racist homophobes against a woman's right to choose. They want the goverment to decide who marries, who can adopt, what medical procedures a woman can have. Libertarians want to tax us and give to churches.
I'll keep whats left of my freedom, thank you.
Nick, you do not know what you're talking about. Libertarians love the separation of church and state. They do not want to fund religion but there is nothing wrong with helping parents give their child a better education, even if that education is at a religious school - if the parent wants that.
That is a much better system than we have know. That is NOT funding religion. Even if the court did decide it was - it most likely won't - tax credits have yet to fail in court on separation of church and state grounds.
Again, you don't have any clue what a libertarian is. Your ignorance in this matter makes me think you choose to deceive yourself - perhaps due to an overwhelming bigotry toward religious people.
Harley, I disagree slightly on libertarians. My fear is that libertarian politicians, once in power, will be the same as Democrats and Republicans. We need to fundamentally change the incentives of being a politician. We need more checks and balances to ensure that politicians behave.
Harley,
See what I mean? Though Bob Barr and Ron Paul are little l libertarian Republicans they do advocate some big government policy items. Maybe due to what districts they represent than what they actually believe.
One incentive I'd like to see put in place is to give the Senate the power to repeal any law by just a 1/3rd vote. Senators would then have some incentive to get rid of bad laws rather than just writing more bad laws every year.
I'd also like to see creating new laws moved from 50% +1 to 2/3rds. If 2/3rds can't live without the law and 1/3rd cannot live with the law WE SHOULD NOT HAVE THAT LAW.
If you want to help people, great donate all you want. Keep your libertarian hands out of my pocket. When it comes to bigotry, Libertarians are in no place to point fingers.
Your wealth redistribution and intolerance in the problem.
I prefer keeping religion OUT of goverment and thats why I dont vote Libertarian.
Nick, you might be certifiably nuts. You don't seem to be aware that Libertarians and libertarians are all about getting the government out of your wallet. You seem to have libertarians confused with something else. You also may believe the perfect is the enemy of the good and that often means you're stuck with the status quo - and that means big government.
Pat, I think you are the one that is nuts. A religous nut to be exact. Do us a favor and keep your extreme religion to yourself and stop trying to tax others to pay for your fairy tales.
I'd rather have the status quo if Libertarians are gonna force religion on us.
Freedom is too important to give up for a tax savings. Remember that. Losing your freedom is too serious.
Patrick: put your money where your mouth is.
As a libertarian, do you support legalizing cocaine and heroin?
As for Reid, he's perennially vulnerable, and perennially reelected anyway. The vacuous and impotent republicans have never been able to beat them. The "genius squad" of Lowden, Tark's son or that other crazy from Reno isn't likely to take the prize, even in this year.
ABR = Anyone Butt Reid
Nick if you knew my extreme religion you'd be laughing with me right now...yes, at yourself.
I think its pretty stupid to have the status quo just so parents can't send their kid to any school they want, just because a few parents might select a religious school.
How exactly that forces religion upon you is a mystery to me though. Sounds like you're just searching for any lame excuse to oppose vouchers.
Ksand,
Would that somehow force people to take cocaine and heroine? Is it going to be something consenting adults do in the privacy of their own home?
I think Reid will be fine. He gets my vote. He has really worked hard on healthcare and I think thats going to pay big dividends at the ballot box. The minorities will like that.
Harry will be finer then frog's hair until the election. You won't be able to find him anywhere after he loses.
My two cents is still on Harry dropping out of the election so some other Democrat has a chance to win.
Of course on the other hand, I think it would be interesting to see Harry as the Minority Leader...
I say we vote Reid out of office and send him back home to Washington
Pat:
Your lies about the libertarians are amusing. There is nothing stopping anyone from sending their kids to a school of their choice.
You want to tax us for the privlidge. What about college? Should we pay for that too? What other taxes will libertarians thrust On us?
What other liberties does the libertarian party want to take?
The agenda is a church state. Yes it is local, as libertarians know they can't get it nationally, so they demonize the federal goverment in an effort to get more control over our personal lives in a local way.
Libertarians=loss of freedom and a church state.
No thanks.
Reid is a disgrace to our state with his bribes, back door dealing,lies and forcing his health care bill down our throats. He needs to go and take his kid with him. The last thing this state needs is another Reid!
Monkey boy Reid should do us all a really big favor and quit.
Speaking of vulnerable, do people know that Harry is trying to hold a ``secret'' public meeting tomorrow Jan 7 at 5 pm at the Judy Bayley Theatre on the UNLV campus? He only wants ``friendlies'' there, while he extols his work on the unconstitutional Obama deathcare bill. It's time for all patriots who are sick of Reid and Obama to come out and tell the guy that it is time for you to get, Harry. Go, now and resign.
disability: We are taking our country back, precinct by precinct.
Dodd had a lot of baggage, including but not limited to his getting a sweetheart mortgage loan from Countrywide, while being the Chairman of the Senate committee which regulates banks.
I suspect that a legitimate Democrat challenger, more pristine and liberal than Dodd, will run in his place, and win or lose on the merits.
The issue of whether Harry Reid is the "most vulerable" seems academic to me. The Republican Senate Campaign committee and its allies are going to have to split up their money, supporting Republicans running for Dorgan's and Dodd's seats, as well as the Republican running against Reid.
If I were running the Republicans' money, I would send it to North Dakota and Connecticut, where races with no incumbents are easier to win than a race against an incumbent with good to excellent fund raising capabilities. I think Dodd and Dorgan's decision not to run is going to pull money OUT of the race against Reid.
I had a bibber once. Didn't like it though and sold it back to the dealer for half what I paid for it...
@Nick-
There is nothing more idiotic than the person who doesn't even know what they don't know.
If there is choice in education, why is it that parents of children in private schools still pay into public education via taxes? Better still, why do people who have no children pay the same amount into education as those who do? If I lived in the area zoned for Rancho High School would I be permitted to send my kids to Centennial? Where's my choice?
If you could please provide the evidence of the Libertarian party's platform supporting the dismantling of the church/ state separation in the 1st Amendment and the imposition of higher taxes, I'd stand corrected, and you'd no longer come of as a blithering, CCSD-educated fool.
"Better to remain silent and let everyone wonder if you're a fool than to speak up and end all doubt."
Nick generates more crap then Harry can stir into that bucket of crap Harry calls his health care bill...
do not count Reid out, the Republicans are too far right for Nevada, Loudung thinks she can win on the abortion issue.
Our Liberal friends who think that Harry can't lose his bid for re-election are like some of the passengers on the Titanic.
They will stick with Harry until the water reaches their noses, then it's Good-By Harry...
Dragon:
Perhaps I should have been more clear. My statement that a parent can send a student where they choose was refering to the discussion on religous schools or public. Of course parents cant send them to any public school they choose. As you pointed out the parents that opt for private get no tax credit, nor should they. As you stated folks with no kids receive no credit, in fact pay the highest income taxes. This is backwards to me.
If you buy a million dollar home because of the school district your kids benefit as they should while someone who invests less should not ruin that for you.
Your name calling and anger is very typical of the libertarians. Why are you people always so angry? Sad.
Now to answer your question, Forcing people to pay tax and turning it over to churches is a violation of separation of church and state. Libertarians constantly advocate churches getting tax money.
Even for social services. This is why I avoid voting for the right wing religous agenda of the libertarians.
Sergio:
You can google. Keep working and maybe you can earn a GED!
I have seen the libertarian propaganda. It is lies. Ever heard of Ron Paul or Bob Barr? They are not for personal freedom.
Republicans advocate small goverment and less spending. They spend the most and expand goverment like crazy. Look at actions not marketing.
Libertarians want to tax you and give the money to churches for education and "social services".
They are mainly religous types and an athiest magician from Vegas.
They want local control. Very local and very much control.
Protect freedom and do not vote libertarian.
More control to the states is less control for the people. Giving tax money to churches is a violation of church and state. The founding fathers would be disgusted by the far right libertarians.
Your "moral-less" comment sums it up for me. Libertarians want to become the moral judges. Telling us how to behave, what to believe, and taking our freedom.
Those that claim to be moral are the worst. John Ensign is a christian. Yeah you know.
Keep your sick religion off my liberty. Avoid the libertarian religous right power grab.
communism will not take over. These people do not want healthcare and housing for the masses. That is why the border is wide open. The ultra rich will take over and the middle class is going away.
Harry!
Why not go ahead and RETIRE? And save yourself the shame and humiliation of being voted OUT!
How about everyone run for office and see who wins...All this pooh about Dems,,Reps,,Libs only makes the reason stronger on why I dont vote...No wonder everything is so screwed up....
As for being communist..LMFAO.. Turming in my arms for a house,, car,, whatever.. That will never happen by me... They might as well bring the commie army with them and a big lunchbox to boot..It will be an allday job to get me to turn over my arms..Even if its the left or right one...
Christians always cry victim
I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. So help me God.
What people in Nevada do not seem to understand is that Thi state must find someone who is willing to put aside power and work for the state of Nevada.
Only liviing in Las vegas just 2 days short of a year now.I came here for family reasons and have sat looking from the outside in and at the politicians in power.
What seems to amaze me is the power crazed goons that are in office here in Nevada.I really have not seen one represenative of this state in Washington who trully are concerned with the states issues.Harry Reid is all balled up in pushing anationalized healthcare bill and who are the others.LOL Once the Healthcare bill was approved to go to a vote in the senate Now the illustrious governor John Ensign is now barking in protest and now says the State of Nevada will sue the Federal Government if it becomes law.
Well my opinion is Nevada is a really beautiful state and has a tremendous amount of potential other than gamming.
Nevada needs political leaders who are not in bed with the gamming industry and concerned about the overall stability of the state.Nevada needs to bring in manufacturing industry to off set the losses in gamming and help prevent this state from another economic devestation it has suffered in this current recession.
Nevada needs something other than gamming that will supply several thousand jobs.
Where the political leaders here fail is they think if they get into office they are pretty much insured a job until retirement because this state is transient and the core of Nevadians here support them.
As far as a party of choice here in Nevada I have none.Back home I was declared as a republican but here in Nevada I will not choose any party.I plan on looking at each cannidate look at his/her platform and then evaulate them as a person.How will I do this without sitting down a talking to them it is simple I will watch how they carry themselves who they elign themselves with and so fourth.
I will say Harry Reid is the first I will"NOT" vote for.That guy is really a screw up.
He has locked on to the Healthcare bill and has left Nevadians hanging and clinging to survive.
In all reality Nevada needs an "AJ"(Average Joe) canidate to run for office across the board with no party ties but only concerned about Nevada and its people.A person who is willing to only vote for bills in Washington after speaking with the people and take analysis of what the state people want
Step Down, Harry Reid, You sick puppy. You take dollars and give out change
@Nick-
Since when is calling a spade a spade "name-calling"?
Sorry, I just can't stand ignorance.
Lord knows that the fire department needs more money. Good idea
Dodds retirement is a simple numbers game. The odds of Dodd winning Conn is too slim and the numbers show that a different demo nominee will have better odds of winning. It has not been a great year for Dodd. He was exposed for being in bed with Countrywide and his numbers have continued to slip.
I believe Lisa's assumption is premature but it is not unreasonable to assume that Reid could bow out if he can't get his poll numbers up. Mark my words, if Harry doesn't get elected, he will still be rewarded for his service to the democrats and will become the president and ceo of a company that the government takes over.