Senate

Harry Reid Runs His First Campaign Ads

By Karen Tumulty | October 15, 2009 | +

These spots give us two indications of how deep the trouble is for the Senate Majority Leader back home in Nevada. First, it is very unusual for a four-term incumbent to have to re-introduce himself to voters with a bio spot. (The campaign argues that many new residents have moved into the state since Reid last ran.) Second, it is even more unusual for said incumbent to be up on the air more than a year before the election.

Related Topics: Congress, Harry Reid, Senate

  • Latest on Swampland

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  • deconstructiva

    I wonder how much re-election distraction will happen while copying / pasting the Senate HC bill (including Biden / Reid appearance in Reno tomorrow, etc.). In the Republican primary, how much will the 4+ candidates beat up each other? This local column ponders that –
    http://www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/2009/Oct-14-Wed-2009/opinion/31777825.html
    KT, hopefully you, Jay, or other swamp reporters get to visit NV for regular Reid coverage. Campaign stuff by day, casinos and buffets at night, yes? (I recommend baccarat, good odds without counting cards)

  • Paul-no not that one

    How closely tied are Rory Reid’s run for governor and Harry’s run for re-election?

    Anyone know?

  • square1

    The GOP’s two pronged criticism of the stimulus package is like a paraphrase of the old borscht-belt joke:

    “This stimulus is a terrible idea!”

    “Yes, and the portions are too small.”

    Reid is a silly, silly man. If this is the only way to replace him as majority leader, I hope he loses.

  • mjshep

    I wonder how much Reid’s dismally weak appearing performance as Leader affects his dismal poll numbers.

    How much of his problem is Democrats’ disaffection?

  • http://wulfmankarl.wordpress.com wulfmankarl

    Harry Reid’s Closed-Door Gang is Channeling Kennedy and FDR to Inspire Putting the Public Option Back Into the Health Care Bill Scam

    http://02e56fa.netsolhost.com/blog1/index.php/2009/10/15/senator-harry-reid-channels-kennedy-and-

    The Joey Panto Show

  • Ivy_B

    A few days ago there was a story that Reid was a shoo-in for re-election and that the potential Dem challenger had dropped out. Now it seems things are not so good.

    A newspaper poll says Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid trails two Republicans who are running to unseat him in next year’s election.

    The survey of 500 registered voters has Reid lagging behind both Sue Lowden and Danny Tarkanian in possible matchups for the U.S. Senate next year.

    http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/oct/11/poll-reid-still-trailing/

    Read that Blanche Lincoln is in trouble as well. Maybe voters are signaling that the polls that say they want a good plan with a public option are the polls that need attention.

  • http://twitter.com/ktumulty Karen Tumulty

    Not sure that’s it. Nevada is not exactly a liberal state, and Reid’s margins in his Senate races (with the exception of 2004) have always been tight. 2004 was the only year he got above 51%, and in 1998, he beat Ensign by only 428 votes.

  • http://twitter.com/ktumulty Karen Tumulty

    Also, McCain carried Arkansas, Blanche Lincoln’s state, by 20 points.

  • kbanginmotown

    Reid Campaign to Nevada: He may be a spineless jellyfish, but he’s our spineless jellyfish…
    .
    I agree with you, mjshep, I don’t think it will work.

  • Ivy_B

    Just trying to be hopeful, KT.

    I’m REALLY tired of Reid.

  • spob

    Guys, here are your talking points from Markos “Screw ‘Em” Moulitsas:
    .
    http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/10/14/793218/-Harry-Reid-abdicates-his-leadership-role

  • sacredh

    Good golly Miss Molly, I’d really like to play wiffle ball with Harry’s head. A vacuum cleaner doesn’t suck that bad.

  • spob

    Markos agrees with you.

  • plukasiak

    Nevada may not be a liberal state as KT defines it, but with a very large percentage of its workforce in the service industry (and unionized) its a state that has been trending Democratic for a very long time. The unionized workers want to keep their health care — and the millions of service workers who don’t work in the big casinos want access to a public option.
    _
    Of course, KT doesn’t actually care about the reality of the WORKERS in Nevada. Nor does she care about the real reason that Reid is in trouble…. the fact that he’s such a ridiculously weak leader. Obama beat McCain by 12 points in Nevada — proof positive that Nevada isn’t nearly as “conservative” or “republican” as Karen’s beltway based conventional wisdom drivel would have you believe.

  • mobyjake

    Harry….Searchlight called…….

    They want their idiot back

    -A native Nevadan from the consertative part
    (the whole state except the union workers in Las Vegas)

  • hollandforsenate

    Jesse Holland, Nonpartisan for United States Senate Representing Nevada, Announces Candidacy.

    Elko, Nevada, USA – September 26, 2009 – Free from a party affiliation and party politics, Jesse Holland offers a voice for Nevadans that too long has fallen on deaf ears in the United States Senate.

    Jesse Holland is running as a Nonpartisan candidate for United States Senate, classified as an Independent candidate by Nevada State law, on the 2010 ballot. Jesse Holland is committed to foundational principles that will result in more unity and soundness, not only for Nevada, but for the United States of America. He affirms, he offers “foundational principles that are not a set of wavering philosophies hidden behind closed doors. His affiliation is the people. His ties are with the people. His loyalty is to serve the best interests of the people of Nevada.”

    “To serve the best interests of Nevada, a representative must listen to those who have entrusted their hopes with that representative,” states Mr. Holland. Headlines continue to clamor dissatisfaction that Americans feel toward the present government and party politics. This election might bring forward many candidates speaking against current political affairs. Jesse Holland encourages voters to investigate all candidates, decipher the truth behind all candidates’ words and exercise their freedom by voting.

    Jesse Holland seeks your vote in 2010 and is confident that voters will find renewed assurance in government representation with him. More about this candidate and the solid principles he holds to, can be found online at his campaign website.

    Contact:
    Jesse Holland
    P.O. Box 2612
    Elko Nevada 89803
    Jesse@HollandforSenate.com
    http://www.HollandforSenate.com
    http://www.nonpartisan.com

  • hollandforsenate
  • hollandforsenate
  • hollandforsenate

    Jesse Holland is running as a Nonpartisan candidate for United States Senate, classified as an Independent candidate by Nevada State law, on the 2010 ballot. Jesse Holland is committed to foundational principles that will result in more unity and soundness, not only for Nevada, but for the United States of America. He affirms, he offers “foundational principles that are not a set of wavering philosophies hidden behind closed doors. His affiliation is the people. His ties are with the people. His loyalty is to serve the best interests of the people of Nevada.”

    “To serve the best interests of Nevada, a representative must listen to those who have entrusted their hopes with that representative,” states Mr. Holland. Headlines continue to clamor dissatisfaction that Americans feel toward the present government and party politics. This election might bring forward many candidates speaking against current political affairs. Jesse Holland encourages voters to investigate all candidates, decipher the truth behind all candidates’ words and exercise their freedom by voting.

    Jesse Holland seeks your vote in 2010 and is confident that voters will find renewed assurance in government representation with him. More about this candidate and the solid principles he holds to, can be found online at his campaign website.

    Contact:
    Jesse Holland
    P.O. Box 2612
    Elko Nevada 89803
    Jesse@HollandforSenate.com
    http://www.HollandforSenate.com
    http://www.VoteNonpartisan.com

  • itdoes2matter

    Reid has GOT to go! I have dealt with him both politically and in business and he makes my skin crawl. It’s not just that he doesn’t listen or vote in the way that his constituents are calling him to; it is that he really doesn’t care about the realities any more. It’s more about the “legacy” he will leave than the damage he causes which amounts to the same thing. I’m not saying that he hasn’t done any thing for the state of Nevada, but in the last several years it has been very little.

    I don’t know about you, but I am tired of politicians who don’t care to listen to the people of the state . . . whether they voted for him or not he should still listen and then vote according to their wishes and not his own. Our representatives are supposed to be just that OUR representatives. It is time to get back to “We the People” instead of individuals who puff themselves up with the status and power and remove the WE and put an I in that phrase . . . No more Harry Reid and his philosophy of I the People. We the people need to stop and take a stand. If it means getting rid of the whole lot and restarting . . . so be it.

    I went to the http://www.hollandforsenate.com website and found it quite refreshing. A real person, not a political android. I would encourage all of you to find out more about Jesse Holland and his bid for Senate. You also might find it . . . refreshing.

    Its time we take back politics, stop them from making the people of this great nation the party joke. It doesn’t matter what your “party” affiliation is what matters is if you believe in this country, the people of this nation and wish to represent the PEOPLE.

    I’m tired of having someone who doesn’t think I am capable of having an intelligent opinion and therefore has to make my decisions for me. I want someone who will vote for the PEOPLE not the party. I want someone like Jesse Holland for my Senator, my representative and my voice.

  • http://libertypundits.net/article/sharron-angle-raises-nearly-350000-in-48-hours/ Sharron Angle raises nearly $350,000 in 48 hours | Liberty Pundits Blog

    [...] all, we don’t just add up the cash and give the seat to the guy with the most money, do we? Way back in October, Reid began running ads to “reintroduce” himself to the people in Nevada, whom he has [...]

  • http://trueslant.com/williamdupray/2010/06/10/sharron-angle-raises-nearly-350000-in-48-hours/ Sharron Angle raises nearly $350,000 in 48 hours – Bill Dupray – American Conservative – True/Slant

    [...] all, we don’t just add up the cash and give the seat to the guy with the most money, do we? Way back in October, Reid began running ads to “reintroduce” himself to the people in Nevada, whom he has [...]

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