Las Vegas Sun: "Soft-spoken Harry Reid to face biggest challenge"

[Awsi Dooger]

This is a relatively long article from the weekend edition of the Las Vegas Sun, examining Reid's strengths and weaknesses in the role of minority leader. The authors emphasize Reid's grit, including opposing the mob during the late '70s and reportedly having his car wired to explode, but also indicate many question if Reid is partisan or charismatic enough to be ideal for the job. I'm only allowed to paste four paragraphs, but a good read all the way through: http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2004/nov/13/517817207.html

WASHINGTON -- As head of the Nevada Gaming Commission in December 1978, Harry Reid was on the receiving end of a tirade by Stardust Casino executive and convicted sports fixer Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal and Rosenthal's lawyer, Oscar Goodman.

In the high-profile showdown at a commission meeting, eventually portrayed in the movie "Casino," Rosenthal berated Reid for denying his application for a gaming license.

Goodman learned something that day: "Both of us are probably the most strong-headed people in Nevada."

"There was no love lost between us at the time, but there was always a mutual respect and admiration," said Goodman, now the mayor of Las Vegas. "I put my face in his face and he didn't back down, and of course I didn't either."

[IronLionZion]

1. Harry Reid may not be as liberal as Tom Daschle

but he's way tougher. Both moderation and toughness will work to our advantage.

I think he'll be a great leader in the Senate and deserves a chance. He's popular enough that there's really not much the Republicans can do to defeat him in 2010.

He's junior Republican colleage John Ensign is up for re-election in 2006, let's take him down!

[ReadTomPaine]

3. I'll accept a moderate if he's loyal and tough. Let's see him deliver.

His personal politics should matter to his constituents more than me, as long as he's a faithful & forceful messenger for the party platform.

I'd prefer a more liberal stance, but I'll take a tough, loyal Democrat gladly. Sorry if I don't believe a word of it until I see it in action, however.

RTP

[Awsi Dooger]

4. I'm not sure who will challenge Ensign in 2006

Nevada Democrats had a lousy cycle in 2002, losing every major statewide race. Harry Reid brought in a woman with good credentials to rebuild and reorganize the state Democratic party after 2002. Based simply on the amount of mailings and phone calls I received this year compared to 2002 and earlier, there has definitely been improvement.

But I don't know we have a candidate capable of ousting Ensign in 2006. Las Vegas congresswoman Shelly Berkley would probably have the best chance.

[ribrepin]

2. The guy's faced the Mob before

He may be just the senator to face off with the Republican mob.