Could moderates, independents gravitate to Angle?

Jim Bacon, North Las Vegas

Saturday, June 19, 2010 | 2:02 a.m.

Jon Ralston’s Wednesday column, “Sharron Angle’s political makeover,” gave a reasonably fair analysis of Angle’s prospects in the race against Sen. Harry Reid. One section of the column caught my attention:

“... And if she can feint toward the middle on issues that might have alienated her from independent voters — or at least massage them in a non-L. Ron Hubbard way — Reid, despite his Angle Marginalization Plan, may be the one consigned to the fringe.

“It is hardly out of the question that the populous Anybody-But-Reid Caucus will choose her instead of one of the ballot’s other choices (including “none of these candidates”), especially if she seems benignly eccentric instead of certifiably cuckoo.”

The key phrase is “benignly eccentric.” Moderates and independents will accept her if they think her more aggressive views will not gain traction in the Senate. Her solid views on fiscal policy will appeal strongly to them.

Reid will scare them much more because of his power in the Senate. He can force action on his more extreme liberal views by virtue of his position as majority leader. Almost all of Reid’s supporters point to his position as being a plus for Nevada, but I think this could be a weakness for him.

Just who is Reid going to represent when one of his responsibilities is to push forward the president’s agenda, which may not be best for Nevada? He is dealing with a lot of backlash from perceptions of having rammed unpopular legislation down the throats of his constituents when a majority (albeit a small majority) did not want it.

Angle can work toward those things moderates and independents want but not be able to hurt the things they love. That cannot be said of Reid, and may well be the key to a victory for Angle.