Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
StumbleHarry Reid makes campaign official, says ‘much work to be done’
Published Monday, March 8, 2010 | 11:43 a.m.
Updated Monday, March 8, 2010 | 2:09 p.m.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, center, (D-Nev.) smiles during President Barack Obama's town hall meeting at Green Valley High School in Henderson Friday, February 19, 2010.
Sun Coverage
Sen. Harry Reid made his candidacy official Monday morning, filing to run for a fifth term in what experts say could be the most expensive and hard-fought race in the country.
The Senate majority leader is in a fight for his political life. He suffers from abysmal approval ratings and trails the two leading Republican candidates seeking the chance to take him on in November. The GOP has routinely hammered him on the state's unflagging jobless rate, arguing that he has failed to use his clout to help his home state.
On Monday, Reid seemed to recognize the perils of running for re-election at at a time of political paralysis in Washington, where efforts to reform health care have been stalled. He acknowledged "there is much work to be done."
To be sure, Reid also noted his accomplishments, including winning federal dollars -- more than any other state per capita -- to help homeowners who are underwater on their mortgages and dealing with foreclosure. He also touted his role in pushing the Senate to pass a jobs bill and defeating Republican opposition to extending unemployment benefits.
“While we have made significant progress through the Recovery Act and other measures to prevent this recession from becoming a depression, there is much work to be done," Reid said. "We must never forget our fellow Nevadans who are suffering during this economic downturn."
He added: “I have a vision for Nevada that will create jobs, keep people in their homes, diversify our state’s economy and make health care affordable."
Sue Lowden, the former Nevada GOP chairwoman who is leading the Republican field, seized on the latest unemployment numbers for Clark County, which surged to 13.8 percent in January. She questioned whether Reid had done enough.
"Hardworking Nevadans are hearing today's unemployment announcement and once again are asking, 'How is Harry Reid really looking out for us?'" Lowden said in a statement. "Hardworking families in Clark County and the entire state of Nevada need positive figures that show job creation, not numbers that indicate a continuing downward spiral with no end."
Indeed, Reid's core challenge will be to sell Nevadans, who are reeling from the Great Recession, on the effects of the federal stimulus, which Democrats and the Obama administrationoversold as a jobs creation bill.
On Monday, Reid cited figures from the President's Council of Economic Advisers, saying that roughly 20,000 jobs have "already been created or saved" in Nevada. That figure puts the state on track to hit the 36,000 jobs promised from the stimulus bill.
One political development may boost Reid’s chances – the entrance of a Tea Party candidate who could split off Republican votes. One poll showed Reid winning if the third-party candidate was in the race.
The chairman of the Senate Republicans’ campaign committee, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, acknowledged Monday that he would prefer if Tea Party candidates could be brought into the fold of the Republican primary.
“Third party races are not good,” Cornyn said.
Nevada’s primary is scheduled for June 8. Cornyn said the committee has not yet reached out to Nevadan Jon Scott Ashjian, who is hoping to run as a Tea Party candidate this fall.
"It’s important that their energy and enthusiasm be channeled in the Republican primary process," Cornyn said. "Ultimately it’s about nominating the strongest candidate to run against the Democrat.”
Cornyn, though, believes "Reid is losing," and doubts the senator's $25 million war chest will improve his popularity.
Discussion: comments so far…
Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Comments that are off-topic, vulgar, profane or include personal attacks will be removed. Full comments policy. Additionally, we now display comments from trusted commenters by default. Those wishing to become a trusted commenter need to verify their identity or sign in with Facebook Connect to tie their Facebook account to their Las Vegas Sun account. For more on this change, read our story about how it works and why we did it.
Only trusted comments are displayed on this page. Untrusted comments have expired from this story.
No trusted comments have been posted.
Post a comment
Most Popular
- Viewed
- Discussed
- E-mailed
- Coolican: Henderson officials out of loop on police brutality case, raising red flags
- See mug shots of 16 arrested in stolen-property police sting
- Lumberjacks — ‘Where the Big Boys Eat’ — hiring for North Las Vegas location
- Berkley draws stark contrasts with Heller over immigration
- Howard Miller, prominent lawyer and ‘true Las Vegas native,’ dies at 68
- Short memories may serve president
- Instant Analysis: Debating whether UNLV should continue series with San Diego State
- Two dead after accident in downtown Las Vegas
- Police looking for man in white Ford Explorer
- Superstar Whitney Houston dies at 48
Blogs
The Kats Report
Live color from the scene at Thomas & Mack Center: We have a wire job! Rebels win, and Louie Armstrong sings!
South Point owner Michael Gaughan's take on 'Vegas Stripped': 'I'll give it an 8' (4 Comments)
Author relishes writing the life story of ‘larger-than-life’ Oscar Goodman (3 Comments)
Elsewhere
Landowner: All roads could lead to Uxbridge casino
Revel reveals smoke-free casino opening
Cirque du Soleil show in Sands China casino to close this month
Meet the woman behind Sheldon Adelson
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
I do not usually find Saturday Night Live political stuff funny - but the cold open from last Sat's show about how hard it was going to be to get Reid elected again in Nevada was pretty damn funny.
He has a crazy fight ahead of him. It is going to get dirty.
"He has a crazy fight ahead of him. It is going to get dirty."
But he'll make it, Jay. Reid has done it before, and it looks like he'll do it again. The GOoPers are divided, the Tea Party is going its own way, and Suzy Lowdown's scandalous record at Archon is finally getting some attention. At this point in 2008, Obama was losing Nevada to McCain... But we all remember how that ended.
How about NO Republican or Democrat repreesting Nevada but an Independent Nevada citizen.
For all of those Reid supporters who say we will lose clout, remember this past week what 1 senator did to stop the process. One senator who listens and does what is best for Nevada is better than the right hand man of the President who turns his back on Nevada.
Reid will lose and lose Big. It's that simple.
If it is economy and jobs then cut salary/hours of all government workers by 20% and "fill" those hours by temporary unemployed part time workers instead of overtime for existing staff and 13% unemployment.
Where is Harry (and John E.) on ideas like that? Still cashing their big government checks and building their big pension while the rest of Nevada citizens are going to soup kitchens or closing their own businesses.
RE-ELECT SENATE MAJORITY LEADER HARRY REID!
Reid hasn't finished the job of cleaning up after the failed Bush regime drove us into the ditch. Let's send Harry back so he can help President Obama complete the disaster cleanup.
Giants of Thought !
As Nevada folks line up at soup kitchens and businesses close we must shout out a thanks to Honest Sen.ENginee for his support, for his integrity, his honesty, his true morality and great character and his vote against jobless benefits.
This is vital. As I stand in line waiting for my morsel of food I always hear all the ones around me saying how great it is to not have to work and how they lay around all the time at ease watching TV and eating potato chips.
I wish they would go get a job instead of just waiting here in line for a bite like a poor guy like me after the hotel shut down and left me out on the sidewalk.
Thanks, SenHoneEnginee, for your help, assistance, support and encouragement. You are indeed a tremendous statesman, indeed.
Merci ! As Always, YoursForeverInIndigestion !
Bush may have drove us into this ditch, but it doesn't mean Obama has to shovel us in. It's gone from bad to worse. I know, you voted for Obama, you must be one of those few out there who haven't peeled that sticker off of your Prius yet. You will.
JON PORTER FOR US SENATE!!!!!
Harry Reid is a good man which is more than I can say about any of the Republican or tea bagging candidates.
We now are finding out how a lowly musician (he must have been in a Union at that time?) managed to get someone to loan him mega money for a casino. And he had no experience running one.
Thank goodness the Lowden Legacy is being exposed.
Looks like the voters are going to have to drain the corruption swamp. harry Reid will be like pulling the clog out of the drain. With him gone the rest can just flow down the sewer.
someone should ask Sue Lowden whether she is in agreement with John EN-SIN and would vote against Unemployment insurance. You can bet your boopie she would have.In case you have any doubts this is one Republican who voted for Obama and is going to vote for Harry Reid
Between trashing the wet n wild theme park, and the layoffs at the Sante Fe and the Pioneer, the Lowdens are responsible for doing away with over 2000 jobs, when the economy was good!
Reid must be referring to all the work that must be done on his property in Searchlight, because that's all he's gonna get!!
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/feb...
http://www.lvrj.com/news/labor-works-to-...
What else do we need to know about Suzy Lowdown? She hates workers, and doesn't mind mistreating her workers or outright firing them to line her pockets some more. Just wait and see as more is revealed about the former GOoPer-in-Chief.
Sen. Reid is working to move Nevada forward and turn our economy around.
http://www.harryreid.com/ee/index.php/ne...
Sue Lowdown needs to prove she was born in America because there's strong evidence she's a product of Glennbeckistan.
*******************
RE-ELECT SENATE MAJORITY LEADER HARRY REID!
Even Wynn (a Republican who hates Obama) supports Reid because he knows Reid gets things done for Nevada!
Are Nevadans stupid enough to replace Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader and second most powerful person in Washington, with a former television news field reporter who led the GOP's most dysfunctional state party apparatus before running for the senate?
If the answer is yes then the sedated, Kool-Aid drinking patients are definitely in charge of the insane asylum.
"Sue Lowdown needs to prove she was born in America because there's strong evidence she's a product of Glennbeckistan."
Ha! Best.
13.8% still unemployed. Goodbye old man.
You've done zilch for Nevada while stuffing your pockets in Washington.
I'm voting Reid..........not some GOP lackey or a teanut, who thinks Glenn Beck makes sense!
There are not enuff tea baggers to affect the voting if there were a third party candidate. Those dolts are just loud.
The mania for giving the Government power to meddle with the private affairs of cities or citizens is likely to cause endless trouble, through the rivalry of schools and creeds that are anxious to obtain official recognition, and there is great danger that our people will lose our independence of thought and action which is the cause of much of our greatness, and sink into the helplessness of the Frenchman or German who expects his government to feed him when hungry, clothe him when naked, to prescribe when his child may be born and when he may die, and, in fine, to regulate every act of humanity from the cradle to the tomb, including the manner in which he may seek future admission to paradise.
Mark Twain
APRIL 21, 1867
Official Physic
Collected Tales, Sketches, Speeches, & Essays, 1852 - 1890
The Pioneer is serving a 1/2 pound chili-cheese dog for $3.99 - Don't say the Lowdens don't care about the working class, where can one get such gastronomical delights for such a great price.
The Lowdens also made fun of the "Indian" Casinos too. Archion? Is that named after "Archie" Bunker??
Where is JOHN 3:16 when you need him.
I'm voting ANYBODY BUT REID! It's not possible to get a worse politician in the office unless George Bush wants to run. LOL
If Senator Howard Cannon was still alive he could tell us about The Dress Shop Owner Chic Hect's upset victory
"If Senator Howard Cannon was still alive he could tell us about The Dress Shop Owner Chic Hect's upset victory"
... And why Nevadans shouldn't make the same mistake twice. We don't need another empty head Chic Hecht. We need a real leader who works for working Nevadans. This is why Harry Reid will win, and the GOoPers will cry in their tea bags when all is said & done. :-)
Our Liberal friends should be listening to Nancy Pelosi about not driving the Tea Party people into the Republican camp.
Democrats need to embrace the Tea Party movement not drive them away forever...
Oh, for a minute there I thought you said you voted for Nancy Pelosi, Larry!
Who knows, maybe you did!
First you tell us you didn't vote for Dina Titus, then you told us you did. Could you blame me for wondering?
Anyone but Reid. He has poorly represented our state and nation for the last time!
Nevadans will have a profound impact on our Nation's future by electing Reid out of office.
Bad Reid
Bad Senator
http://aBadReid.com
Hey larry, teabaggers are hard-right-wing
idiots.
You support them, so guess what.........
HARRY REID FIGHTS FOR NEVADA AND THE U.S.
GIVE THESE GREEDY REPUBLICAN CROOKS HELL, HARRY.
Why waste your time, old man? You're not getting re-elected.
Tarkanian 2010!
Teamster.. I am an avid Tea Party supporter. Care to call me a teabagger to my face, or would you rather be an e-thug? You are pathetic, my dear. Please come to a Tea Party. The Tea Party movement is not just for conservatives/Republicans. Give it a try before you start calling us names. You only know what the MSM wants you to know (although it's false) about the Tea Party movement.
PLEASE get your facts straight before making yourself look like another ignorant fool. The staff of Las Vegas Sun should be deleting comments that call residents "tea baggers". It's getting old. Don't you all have better insults to hurl our way?
Tea Party Express will be in Searchlight March 27, please join us!
JSspence07...
Every teabagger that I have ever seen or talked
to has used hard, right-wing, republican talking
points. They are against President Obama, health
care reform and labor unions.
They offer NOTHING for the average American.
Why would anyone join this group?
wow! the left wingers are crazy today and still the elevator does not go to the top.....the lights are on and nobody's home....they do not make an ouce of sense, but they spew hate and stupidity well.....
VOTE REID OUT IN 2010
WOW! The crazy right-wingers are out today.
They still don't get it.
Nobody wants republican crooks to run our state.
GIVE EM HELL HARRY!
Yeah teamster loves harry because Harry has funneled taxpayer's money to the unions to hold their loyalty and keep his own coffers full..We are not stupid "little people" we know how the criminal politicians operate..
When is the right time? If not now, when? If not us, who?
Thank you Harry Reid for what you have done and what you are going to do!!!
Nevada needs Senator Harry Reid. My family needs Senator Reid. My business needs Harry Reid.
C ya Yucca. Hello better future for Nevada.
Based on his appearance, Reid is either ready to "stroke out" or he's got a severe constipation problem.
I'm voting for Kevin Sandoval for Governor!
Looks like reid has some comments being posted by his minions. Let's vote reid troll of the year along with pelousi...
I am not a Reid "minion." I am a Reid supporter who believes he is the best choice and that he has done an excellent job for Nevada over his four terms in the Senate. I also believe that defeating the Senate majority leader and replacing him with a first-year senator--and an unimpressive one at that, given the field against him--would be suicidal for Nevada. I also am signing my name here, which is more than I can say for a lot of Reid critics.
Reid isn't even a good choice for dog catcher! We need to vote all incumbents out and most of all Reid!
You're too stupid to have ever been a Democrat.
Another republican liar.
teamster only thinks along party lines, what the liberal left wing nuts tell him how to think.. wait a minute,, thats exactly what the current Administration is trying to do the whole country..
Every republican on this post only thinks along
party lines.
The current Administration was voted in by the
majority of Americans, remember?
The current Administration was voted in by the
majority of Americans, remember?
teamster the majority of Americans are AGAINST the current administrations attempts to ram legislation down our throats, through sleazy Chicago style political back room deals, and outright threatening the careers of their own legislators who don't go along. Mark my word, there is going to be a severe backlash at the polls come next election(s) And don't forget also my friend, that Ms. Clinton has warned that the budget deficit is reaching levels to which our national security is being threatened!!
Wow....prince harry has a "vision for Nevada" thats original.....what about his "vision" for the last 4 terms......does that include standing silent while his president constantly treats Nevada in actions and words like the scourge of the nation, 13.8 % unemployment while he gives Nebrtaska and Louisana billions of dollars to vote yes on healthcare, or the leading mortgage foreclosure rate in the nation while he and his wanna be son rake in millions?
Dont buy the hype, vote ALL incumbants out of office including the Majority Speaker Prince Harry.
Harry Reid is facing Republican accusations that he is behind the emergence of a Tea Party candidate on the ballot who might divide conservative voters and help him win reelection this fall.
LarryVegas is facing allegations that he is the Las Vegas Sun's version of Glenn Beck.
"I'm voting for Kevin Sandoval for Governor!" - mikegino
That might be hard to do, "mike" or "Larry." It's strange that Mike and Larry agree about everything and they both have mistaken BRIAN Sandoval for little old me.
Mikegino is facing allegations that he's posting under a different username: LarryVegas.
Here is LarryVegas writing about me:
"Rory Reid trails Kevin Sandoval, by 18 points."
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/mar...
Strange that two "unrelated" posters both make the same exact mistake...
Dump Reid he has turned away so much money for this state. This is the reason why Neveda is in this position.
Plus why would you people vote for someone (reid) who breaks the law? For those of you who doesn't know which law he broke it's the Nuclear Waste Policy Act.