In final hours, Sue Lowden campaign touts credentials

By David McGrath Schwartz

Tuesday, June 8, 2010 | 1:36 p.m.

Sue Lowden's campaign manager today questioned Sharron Angle's ability to win a general election matchup against Sen. Harry Reid and argued that the campaign's traditional get-out-the-vote effort will push the former GOP chairwoman to victory.

Polls have Lowden, the former frontrunner, now trailing former Assemblywoman Angle, who is supported by national tea party organizations and conservative grassroots groups in Nevada.

National reporters have parachuted into Nevada to watch who will emerge to challenge vulnerable Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a race that has been dubbed one of the most watched in the country.

The race has become a three-way affair between Angle, Lowden and businessman Danny Tarkanian. Angle and Lowden have been the subject of most of the attacks, and Tarkanian hopes he can squeak through.

Reid's campaign, meanwhile, put out a press release this morning arguing that Reid's re-election prospects are "strong no matter who wins."

While Angle has surged, Lowden has fallen. Lowden's argument that she would be the strongest opponent to Reid has been muddled by campaign gaffes and polling showing Angle and Tarkanian faring better against Reid.

Robert Uithoven, Lowden's campaign manager, said in a conference call with reporters this morning that Lowden gives Republicans the best shot at knocking off Reid.

"You need to have a broad coalition of support," Uithoven said. He called Reid a "ruthless politician" who "won not so much on the love of the people of the state but fear."

He said the Republican nominee will have to be able to appeal to out-of-state-donors. "Lowden has that appeal. Sharron does not."

Uithoven pointed to canvassers for Angle who seemed surprised that so many voters had already turned out during the early voting that ended this weekend. The Lowden campaign has spent months building up campaign infrastructure, while Angle has relied on third-party groups and operated with a skeleton campaign staff.

At a polling site at Twitchell Elementary School in Henderson, Russell Bruce, 36, a business owner and Republican, said he had voted for Angle "because she seems to be the most conservative of the candidates."

Bruce acknowledged that Angle might not be the best challenger to Reid today, but he thinks her campaign would gain traction "thanks to the Tea Party backing."

Russ Ketchum, 48, vice president of technology for an airline and Republican, also said he voted for Angle "because she most closely reflects the views I have about the country these days. I certainly hope she can beat Harry Reid."

At Basic High School, Melva Jensen, 65, said she had voted for Danny Tarkanian. "I think he's feisty and I think he can beat Harry Reid," she said.