Joe Biden gambles on rescuing Nevada's Harry Reid

The question hanging over Democrats as the 2010 midterm elections loom: Has the economic stimulus stimulated, well, anything?

The answer is particularly important in Nevada, where Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s reelection could depend on whether the state's battered tourism and construction economy has healed.

VP Joe Biden tried to tackle the issue today in Reno, where he addressed the few Nevadans who can still afford a $2,400-a-plate breakfast with him and Reid. (We're still unsure whether all that cash bought the donor-diners pancakes or eggs.)

And it's a real "bargain" given the $30-grand tab per couple to dine with President Obama last night in San Francisco, as The Ticket described here earlier today.

Earlier this year, Obama flew in for a Reid fundraiser in Las Vegas. But state polls still show unfavorable ratings among Silver State voters. In his remarks today, Biden ticked off some promising economic signs, including the Dow topping 10,000 and a stabilizing housing market (well, in parts of the country that are not Nevada).

“This didn’t happen by accident,” the VP said, according to the White House pool report. “It’s because of the policies the president and I and this guy put together. Are they all perfect? No. Are we out of the woods? No. But we’re in a different place.”

Meanwhile, Republicans used the Reno fundraiser to pummel Obama, Biden, Reid, the stimulus package, Democrats and pancakes (OK, we’re kidding on that last one). It came in a tough one-minute radio ad listenable right here. 

And get this: Republican collects goods for food bank while fat-cat Democrats eat expensive breakfast. Sue Lowden, one of Reid’s potential GOP challengers, passed out coffee and doughnuts this morning – and her grub was free – while collecting canned goods for a food bank and talking about the desperate need for job creation.

So the economic stimulus has, at the very least, stimulated criticism of Reid. Though top state Republicans, including Gov. Jim Gibbons and Sen. John Ensign, initially dismissed the $860+-billion package as pork, the GOP has recently found the spending useful to undermine Reid’s repeated claim that Nevadans shouldn’t throw away his longtime D.C. clout.

To make yet another food reference, the Republican argument pretty much goes like this: If Reid really is such a powerful fellow in charge of the U.S. Senate, why hasn’t the guy brought home more bacon after four long terms?

There remain less than 13 more months to argue that one out.

-- Ashley Powers

Click here for Twitter alerts of each Ticket item click here. Or follow us  @latimestot  Also on Facebook here.

Comments

[INorOUT.us]

hmm...I'm betting that Prince Harry is on his way out. Nevada has had enough, I'm not sure this is something I'd be gambling on?

[Norm Silver]

Good old Harry has just about worn out his welcome with his voters. If he is challenged by a good viable candidate he'll be on th retired list.

[Stephen]

There are certain politicians that are going to be thrown out of office, Reid is one of them. Pelosi, Feinstein, Boxer, Durbin, Bawney Fwank, Charlie Rangel, Obama and Biden will ALL be out on their tails. Just vote against every incumbent in office and clean house! Politicians should NEVER be allowed to hold office for decades. Throw the bums out and implement term limits.

[Anthony Riviera]

Harry Reid...whatta joke.

I wish Obama and Biden would come to my state and campaign for all the Democrats here. Because right now if a poll were taken here which was more popular, either Obama/Biden or the swine flu, I think there would have to be a long night and a recount before a winner could be picked.

Election 2010 can not come soon enough for us Americans. We are going to send a message, hot and clear, to Mr. Obama and Mr. Biden: Pack your crap, guys, because you have 2011 and 2012 and then it is back to your estates for you!

[Doc Savage]

Sending Joe Biden to help Harry Reid? That's like sending Barrak Obama to help General McCrystal I think I just spotted a mushroom cloud over Nevada. Here’s my suggestion for Mad Harry; bend over, put your head between your legs, and kiss your Harry A$$ GOODBYE.

[wayne]

Liberals are like fire ants. They serve no real purpose. They take over what's yours and bite the hell out of anyone who gets near them. Nuke liberal butt.

[maryKay48]

May I just say, Stand up Chuck! No other words needed

[Scrapiron]

Didn't Reid's lover boy, President O'Dumbo order large corporation to stay out of Vegas? Is that called cut throat (your buddy) politics, or is it when stupid stuff comes back to bite you on the butt.

[mugtang]

I'm from Nevada and we can't stand Harry Reid. Well I don't speak for everybody but I can't stand him and many of my friends (republicans and democrats alike) can't stand him. As for your comment scrapiron we haven't forgotten about our president/ceo's order for the corporations to stay out of Vegas. Our state depends on gaming revenue and I'm sure that the fact that many conventions were cancelled has had a negative impact on our economy (like it could get worse).