Bill Clinton whips up crowd at rally for Harry Reid

By Delen Goldberg

Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010 | 1:04 a.m.

Former President Bill Clinton, in Las Vegas Tuesday night to stump for Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, knew he was “preaching to the saved,” as he called the partisan crowd.

The more than 1,000 people gathered at Valley High School couldn’t have been friendlier. They cheered when Clinton touted Reid’s accomplishments, booed when he mentioned Republican challenger Sharron Angle and drowned the auditorium with applause when the federal stimulus bill and health care reform were mentioned.

“I assume you’re all going to show up and vote,” Clinton said. “What really matters is the people who aren’t here.”

Clinton urged the crowd to spread the word about Reid — his influence as “the most powerful senator in America,” his success at creating jobs, his commitment to clean energy and his support of small business.

In any other year, Clinton said, Reid would be leading the Senate race by 25 percentage points.

“The only reason this is a tough race is because this is a tough time. When people are mad, it’s hard to think,” he said.

Most recent polls have shown Angle leading Reid but only by a few percentage points and within the margin of error.

The rally played out like a rock concert. Supporters waved Reid signs as a mariachi band played. A DJ dedicated the MC Hammer song “U Can’t Touch This” to Angle. Three Los Angeles Lakers — Ron Artest, Derrick Caracter and Devin Ebanks — stood on stage to cheer on Reid.

Clinton, the “Big Dog” of Democratic politics, came to Nevada to help shore up Reid’s base. Clinton won the state twice while running for president. Reid hopes Clinton’s charm and enduring popularity will energize voters, because in this tight race, turnout will be key.

State Assemblyman Ruben Kihuen, who opened the event, acknowledged — on the day Angle announced she had raised $14 million — that money is needed to run a competitive race, but “there’s nothing more important than grassroots campaigning.”

Clinton wasn’t stingy with his support, either.

He mentioned Democratic Rep. Dina Titus, who sat in the front row, several times throughout his speech. Titus, a freshman who represents Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District, is facing stiff competition from Republican challenger Joe Heck.

Reid and Titus in the past had a frosty relationship, especially after he did not appear to give his robust support for her in her failed campaign for governor, but the two seem to have patched up their differences.

This was the second event Clinton hosted for Reid this year. He headlined a rally in June for Reid, although the senator was in Washington at the time.

Clinton also has appeared several times in Nevada on behalf of Rory Reid, the senator’s son who is running for governor. A few people at the Clinton event wore Rory Reid shirts.

Republicans brushed off the former president’s appearance, saying it would do little to sway the election.

“Other than a nice photo-op, it won’t change the fact that Sen. Reid’s failed policies have made Nevada the leader in unemployment and the foreclosure capital of the country,” state Republican Party spokesman Jahan Wilcox said.

Reid, in the midst of a bruising campaign, beamed after Clinton’s speech.

Reid, who admitted earlier in the night that “we all wish things were better,” was clearly happy to be among friends again.