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Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun
Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., talks with carpenters as the senator tours the terminal under construction at McCarran International.
By J. Patrick Coolican (contact) 
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010 | 2 a.m.
Sun Topics
Sun Archives
- John Ensign to fellow Republicans: Back off Harry Reid (1-11-10)
- Harry Reid stands firm, sidesteps questions about validity of comment (1-11-10)
- GOP cites double standard, pressures Democrats over Harry Reid comments (1-11-10)
- GOP chief: Harry Reid should step down over ‘no Negro dialect’ remark (1-10-10)
- Harry Reid apologizes for ‘no Negro dialect’ remark about Obama (1-9-2010)
- Analyst: Dodd’s announcement makes Harry Reid most vulnerable (1-6-2010)
- In new epilogue, Reid recounts encouraging Obama to run (4-26-2009)
No question about it, Harry Reid has had a bad few days:
A new poll showed the Senate majority leader’s favorable rating in Nevada at 33 percent, and reports emerged of some awkward comments he made coming to light in a new book — that Barack Obama was a good presidential candidate because he is a light-skinned black man who has no “Negro dialect” except when he wants to.
Next, the ritual of racial healing: An apology from Reid, forgiveness from the president, a few condemnations from Republicans, a supportive cameo by Al Sharpton.
The episode surely didn’t help Reid’s 2010 re-election bid. He was struggling with his Democratic base, of which blacks are a vital part.
As the past few days have demonstrated, however, Reid has the influence both here and in Washington to call in chits, show his value to the state and change the subject, which is the first rule of political scandal.
Black elected officials, civil rights leaders and liberal activists, whom Reid has courted for decades, promptly came out to defend him, calling his remarks unfortunate but saying Reid has not a racist bone in his body. (Social scientists have noted the truth of Reid’s statements.)
His long friendship with Sen. John Ensign, and his silence about Ensign’s extramarital affair with a campaign aide, also came in handy this week. The state’s junior senator, a Republican, defended Reid.
Then there were the displays of the power of Reid’s office: Monday he announced financing he helped secure for transmission lines between Southern Nevada and White Pine County. The lines have been sought for generations and should spur renewable energy development.
Tuesday he was at the airport to tour the half-finished terminal, his juice on full display in a town still small enough that power brokers all know one another.
Who introduced him? Deputy airport Director Rosemary Vassiliadis, wife of one of his chief political advisers, lobbyist and public relations executive Billy Vassiliadis.
She said the airport was having trouble getting financing at its inception, so airport authorities called “911 Reid,” and he delivered with stimulus money.
Who approved the airport project to begin with? The County Commission, whose chairman is Reid’s son Rory Reid.
“As the home of the entertainment capital of the world and one of the greatest tourist destinations on Earth, travel is the fuel that makes Nevada’s economic engine run,” he said with the aid of a strong microphone that overcame the din of construction equipment.
He touted the 1,800 jobs the project created.
(The $2.4 billion project is being paid for with airport fees, including those imposed on the airlines, as well as gaming, advertising and concession receipts from existing facilities. Left unsaid: The airlines urged the County Commission to reconsider the project in 2008 because of the steep drop in tourism demand, which has only now begun recovering.)
At the airport, reporters shouted questions about Reid’s awkward remarks. He ignored them. No doubt the media will move on.
Still, Reid will need to bring home even more bacon if he is to win re-election.
Stu Rothenberg, a national political handicapper, has shifted the race to “leans Republican.”
Dave Damore, a UNLV political scientist, acknowledged that Reid is having trouble with his Democratic base, but he said he doubts that Reid’s recent gaffe will matter in the long run.
“The election is in 10 months and it won’t be decided on this,” he said.
He added, “At the end of the day, it’s not going to improve the quality of his opponents,” referring to Republicans Sue Lowden, Danny Tarkanian and Sharron Angle, among others. None is considered top-tier, though each beats Reid in head-to-head matchups, according to a recent Review-Journal poll.
The key issues for Reid, Damore said: jobs and the economy. “Does the stimulus kick in and can they show some progress on that?” Damore said. “That’s the more important issue.”
Who wrote this pro-Reid tripe? There's no name on the story. Is this more of Lisa Mascaro'a handiwork? Why is the Sun hiding the author's identity? As of 2:52 a.m., there is no name on this story. I want to know who wrote it, because it's so full of the writer's opinions. I want to know which writer to send an angry email to.
His long friendship with Sen. John Ensign, and his silence about Ensign's extramarital affair with a campaign aide, also came in handy this week. The state's junior senator, a Republican, defended Reid.
This line has me laughing so uncontrollably it hurts!!
Alveda King, the niece of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., said It's still wrong. It's outrageous to say that we are going to let a man have a position because he is light-skinned and he uses a Negro dialect when it is convenient.
"What he's really saying is, 'Now we have a White House Negro.' King said in reference to terminology used during the time of American slavery. "Basically,he is saying if you have light skin and a particular education, we'll let you in the House. If not, you need to stay in the field. That's what I hear.
King acknowledged a double standard in comparing the two instances. "The double standard sets up Trent Lott -- we're going to run you out on a rail, but we'll let Sen. Reid say something like this," said King. Basically, what he [Reid] is saying is, if you have light skin and a particular education, we'll let you in the House.
If not, you need to stay in the field. I'm sorry, that's what I hear."
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/5966...
Senator,where is your hard-hat? What a joke.
Juice? Please explain why Nevada only gets 60 cents back for every federal tax dollar we send to DC.
I'm surprised Reid didn't show in his flannel shirt, jeans and hardhat for the photo-op.
This story brought to you direct from the Re-elect Harry Reid campaign. The reason there is no writer listed is that Reid's office faxed this story over to the Sun and told Greenspun to print it.
LOL......It's gonna take a lot of juice to wash away the carnage & mayhem left behind in the wake of Harry's leadership.
I guess it's a good thing for Harry that all those families/voters were forced out of their homes and into the streets and out of state.
Americans showed the world that it had no patience for RIGHT WING FAKE OUTRAGE and SWIFTBOATING in the 2008 election. After the RIGHT WING has beaten the country to death with stupid and lies all of 2009, I can't wait to see what happens at the polls in November.
where is OSHA when you need them? they should have been there to fine the contractor for harry not wearing his hard hat.
just another example of our senators thinking that they are above everyone else.
Aawwee, come on, everything will be alright now that Al Sharpton has supported him !!! There's a guy you REALLY want on your side ! And now for the joke of the day !
HAHAHA!! retiredyoungster !That's very funny!! Next thing you know Tawana Brawley will send in her endorsement! for Harry the Horrible LOL!!
Two things:
1) This is an editorial, you are going to get opinions in them - always has been that way. The author should disclose him/herself, but don't get angry because the opinions differ from yours - just make a counter argument in the comments and get discussion going - thats the point, not just to bash
2) While clearly this is a Pro-Reid opinion piece, there are some jabs still taken at the Senator (how he may have "pushed" for this airport while we were facing a downturned economy, and that he has a long way to go to get his approval ratings up, even if that's possible)
I'm just saying, love him or hate him, you all have to go out and vote him out if you don't want him there, or stay, complain and watch him carry Nevada (and the Senate) for another four years.
I love the OSHA argument - considering the fact that you losers expect an OSHA argument to inhibiit the man's ability to fundraise and please the right people. If you hate him, find someone to beat him! That's the goal.
Its time for greid to step down!He is a lieing crook,and will take anything you have and give it to where "HE" thinks it should be spent!The country can only do better with out this lieing fool!!!! REID GONE IN 2010.......
Walk precincts and talk to your relatives and neighbors. Reid has done enough damage to America.
judgesmales and robert_lv, a byline has been added to the story. We forgot to select a reporter's name when we added the story to the site last night, which is why it appeared with no byline. Sorry for the confusion. Thanks.
AND NOW REID SHOWS UP AND GOES TO TALK TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE JOBS AND ARE WORKING....
WHAT IS THE MATTER HARRY AFRAID TO CONFRONT THE JOBLESS?
VOTE REID OUT IN 2010...
This is one of many examples of Reid using his power to bring jobs to Nevada. This is the ONLY terminal being built in the entire country since 9/11.
"Mr. Cleanface": http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1...
Latest is Reid is rushing back to Washington to try and get Martha Coakely elected in MASS to the Senate: This is a very interesting story regarding Dem. candidate running for Senate in Mass. Check out the story and picture on the right taken last night in Washington - One of her Democrat thugs pushing around a reporter.
Harry Reid is part of this crooked Democrat party that will stop at nothing to keep the MASS Senate seat. We must vote the Reid's out of office and stop this Democrat take over!
http://bostonherald.com/news/politics/vi...
No real surprise to hear democrats are hiring thugs to suppress freedom of speech.
"The election is in 10 months and it won't be decided on this," he said. LOL your right Mr. Reid, your an idiot, it has already been established. Can't hardly wait until you spend millions of dollars in "I love me" advertisements telling us how "great you are" or "how us dumb people can't do without you". In a sea of bad politicians in office at the moment, your in the Top 5, an embarrassment to the State of Nevada.
An objective review of the historicl facts clearly show that Harry Reid has done more for Nevada, and Nevadans, then any other politician ever elected to represent this state - and he has risen to the singularly powerful position of Senate Majority Leader! People need to remember what a political back-water Nevada was before Harry got elected - and we certainly don't need to go back to those days of incompetence and corruption!
The Harry haters whine, snivel, complain, cry and talk trash - but, who do they have that will be better than Harry? NO ONE! What will happen if Harry isn't re-elected? John Ensign will be the new Senior Senator and will have some rookie as the Junior Senator from Nevada - talk about regressing at a critical time in our history!
You don't have to agree with Harry 100% of the time on all issues to realize that Harry is still the best Nevada has to offer - it's just logical that we should re-elect Harry Reid!
mrability :
Learn how to spell and punctuate properly before you get up on your high horse there buddy...
Johnathan: we want and deserve an honest voice in Washington. Can you understand this sentiment?
Oh No, Poor Harry...
Harry support in Nevada has fallen even further in the wake of revelations that he used racially insensitive terms to describe President Obama's 2008 candidacy.
A new Rasmussen poll finds that Reid would get just 36% of the vote if the election were held today. That's down 7% from last month's poll.
well i guess so, he's surrounded by a group of rednecks!