Harry Reid's Vegas: The Son Also Rises
Bonnie Goldstein
Woman Up Editor
Posted:
07/16/09
A guest post from Las Vegas native Sally Denton:
In some circles, the book on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) gives odds his plummeting poll ratings in Nevada are going to hurt not only his 2010 reelection bid, but will drag down the gubernatorial campaign of his son.
Rory Reid, a two-term Clark County (Las Vegas) commissioner and former state Democratic Party chairman, is expected to announce his run for the governor's office, and poll watchers say he may need to distance himself from his father. While Rory probably should move out of the old man's shadow, I don't agree with Politico's analysis that the younger politician needs to "establish himself in Nevada's northern and rural reaches -- the more conservative-minded parts of the state," instead of counting on his "Clark County base."
In Nevada politics, the old adage of "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" doesn't hold. In fact, what happens in Las Vegas determines what happens in the rest of the state.
In some circles, the book on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) gives odds his plummeting poll ratings in Nevada are going to hurt not only his 2010 reelection bid, but will drag down the gubernatorial campaign of his son.
Rory Reid, a two-term Clark County (Las Vegas) commissioner and former state Democratic Party chairman, is expected to announce his run for the governor's office, and poll watchers say he may need to distance himself from his father. While Rory probably should move out of the old man's shadow, I don't agree with Politico's analysis that the younger politician needs to "establish himself in Nevada's northern and rural reaches -- the more conservative-minded parts of the state," instead of counting on his "Clark County base."
While it's true that the rural counties of northern Nevada are more conservative, they lack the population to have a decisive impact. In Sin City, the financial heart of the state and where the bulk of the population lives, the tables are favoring both father and son.
Sen. Reid has already raked in $11 million -- the equivalent of $4 for every Nevadan -- and expects to have raised a staggering $25 million by the time of the election. Although the GOP is attacking him with a slick television ad featuring a porno-movie soundtrack and champagne toasts at a lavish Caesars Palace fundraiser, the fact remains that Republicans don't have a plausible candidate in the wings.
Meanwhile, Reid fils has reportedly landed the support of MGM Mirage, the largest gambling firm in the world and an unmistakable bellwether for how the political winds are blowing. As they say in Vegas, the "juice" is with the Reids.
Sen. Reid has already raked in $11 million -- the equivalent of $4 for every Nevadan -- and expects to have raised a staggering $25 million by the time of the election. Although the GOP is attacking him with a slick television ad featuring a porno-movie soundtrack and champagne toasts at a lavish Caesars Palace fundraiser, the fact remains that Republicans don't have a plausible candidate in the wings.
Meanwhile, Reid fils has reportedly landed the support of MGM Mirage, the largest gambling firm in the world and an unmistakable bellwether for how the political winds are blowing. As they say in Vegas, the "juice" is with the Reids.