Columns by Jon Ralston

Weighing whether Gibbons will seek reelection: Wednesday, November 11, 2009; By Jon Ralston; As Year Three of the painfully memorable Gibbons governorship comes to a close, the most asked questions about his future are: Can he win, and will he run?

Jon Ralston laments the campaign spin from members of both major parties: Sunday, November 8, 2009; By Jon Ralston; There is a distinction between stupidity and ignorance.

Nevada’s bizarro political world: Friday, November 6, 2009; By Jon Ralston; Some end-of-the-week musings from your favorite pundit:

GOP in disarray won’t assure Dems an easy ride here in 2010: Wednesday, November 4, 2009; By Jon Ralston; By now, the instant post-mortems on Election 2009 results will have been written, either overstating (most likely) or understating their significance for Campaign 2010.

Why it’s too early to be ’10 election know-it-alls: Sunday, November 1, 2009; COMMENTARY:; By Jon Ralston; One year before the 2008 election, GOP Rep. Jon Porter seemed like a good bet for reelection. Stories written at the time focused on Porter’s untested opponent, Robert Daskas, who was well behind in fundraising and not ready for prime time. One year later Porter was out of office, but not because of Daskas.

Ralston can see where local right-wing radio is heading: Friday, October 30, 2009; By Jon Ralston; Just another day on talk radio:

The fake outrage is just getting started in Senate race: Wednesday, October 28, 2009; By Jon Ralston; In the classic film about law school, “The Paper Chase,” there is this priceless moment when the incomparable John Houseman, playing the professor, holds up a coin and offers it to the beleaguered student played by Timothy Bottoms.

How abortion could creep into next year’s governor’s race: Sunday, October 25, 2009; JON RALSTON:; By Jon Ralston; I suppose my belief that the abortion question was settled in Nevada was naive. That issue will never be put to rest because too many groups want to see Roe v. Wade overturned, employ it as a litmus test for political support or insist on unlimited access to abortion. And, perhaps most of all, because too many candidates find it useful to brandish it as a weapon to taint opponents.

The pros and cons of giving every candidate his chance to speak: Friday, October 23, 2009; By Jon Ralston; Just because you announce your candidacy for a serious office doesn’t mean you should be taken seriously.

Ralston cries ‘Lame!’ as foes of Harry Reid cry foul: Wednesday, October 21, 2009; By Jon Ralston; “I expect (Harry Reid) to vaporize (Sue) Lowden or (Danny) Tarkanian or whoever is the opponent.” — Anonymous Reid adviser, Politico, 10/20/09

What a meeting between Harry and Rory Reid must be like these days: Sunday, October 18, 2009; Jon Ralston:; By Jon Ralston; Harry and Rory meet to talk in a small room at the back of Searchlight’s General Store:

Why Harry Reid has gotten a head start on advertising: Friday, October 16, 2009; By Jon Ralston; Ladies and gentlemen of the Nevada electorate, meet Harry Reid.

What we can expect from candidate Rory Reid: Wednesday, October 14, 2009; By Jon Ralston; Today is the first day of the rest of Rory Reid’s political life.

Crowded GOP field makes its case to run against Harry Reid: Sunday, October 11, 2009; COMMENTARY:; By Jon Ralston; Two weeks ago we brought you the first in a series of debates — that one for governor — moderated by Channel 13 anchor/damage control expert Nina Radetich. Today I have a transcript of the to and fro between the GOP U.S. Senate hopefuls at the same venue, the Thomas & Mack Center.

Ensign might not have ally in minority leader: Friday, October 9, 2009; By Jon Ralston; Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky senator, could take it no more.