The American Spectator : Angling for Harry Reid

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Angling for Harry Reid

By W. James Antle, III on 6.7.10 @ 6:09AM

Will a Tea Party candidate overtake Sue Lowden in Nevada's GOP primary?

Have the chickens come home to roost for Sue Lowden? So wags will be tempted to ask if the former Nevada Republican chairwoman comes up short in tomorrow's GOP primary to determine who will challenge Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid this fall. After weeks as the undisputed frontrunner, Lowden now has a real fight on her hands.

Two things appear to have jeopardized Lowden's once-solid lead. First, she told an interviewer "before we all started having health care, in the olden days our grandparents, they would bring a chicken to the doctor, they would say I'll paint your house." Panned as a barter-based "Chickens for Checkups" plan, it has had her critics clucking and chuckling ever since.

Lowden's second problem has elicited fewer liberal guffaws: the unexpected rise of Sharron Angle, a Tea Party candidate who has surged from the single digits to the lead in some statewide polls. Angle wants to repeal the 16th Amendment, shutter the IRS, and let young workers shift their Social Security taxes into private retirement accounts. She dissented so often in the state assembly that lopsided 41-to-1 votes were presumed "41-to-Angle."

Republican bigwigs aren't laughing either. As self-appointed guardians of the mainstream, they fear Reid might be able to save himself by running against Angle's conservative views. Lowden still typically polls the best in the general election and the Democratic incumbent has been rebounding slightly of late. Local political columnist Jon Ralston dubbed Reid "the happiest guy in the country with a 38 percent approval rating."

"Harry Reid and his political machine believe they have a better chance of beating Sue in June than in November," Lowden's campaign manager told reporters, recalling a Reid adviser's quote to Politico that the Senate majority leader would use his war chest to "vaporize" his Republican opponents.

Before Angle's rise, Lowden's main conservative challenger was Las Vegas businessman Danny Tarkanian, a former UNLV basketball star. While Lowden has significant conservative support in her own right, Tarkanian hit her for past donations to Democrats (including Reid) and the more moderate positions she was said to have taken in the 1990s. The latter includes Lowden's answers on a 1992 Christian Coalition candidates' survey (pdf), which were noncommittal on issues ranging from life to school prayer, and a Las Vegas Sun story alleging that she backed an effort to remove the pro-life plank from the Republican platform in 1996.

Lowden's campaign has strenuously denied these charges and the back-and-forth did not prevent her from piling up conservative endorsements as the primary approached. But the Tea Party Express and the Club for Growth gave Angle the boost that eluded Tarkanian, throwing the primary race wide open.

A Suffolk University poll has Angle at 32 percent, Tarkanian at 25 percent, and Lowden in third at 24 percent. (Lowden's campaign points out that a Suffolk poll was overly bullish on Jon Corzine's chances in last year's New Jersey gubernatorial race.) A Research 2000/Daily Kos survey has Angle at 34 percent, Lowden at 25 percent, and Tarkanian at 24 percent. Mason-Dixon has the race at 32 percent Angle, 24 percent Tarkanian, and 23 percent Lowden.

Perhaps Angle's ascent at Tarkanian's expense will end up aiding Lowden. Marlin Stutzman's rise at John Hostettler's expense helped Dan Coats win the Indiana GOP primary last month. Angle has lost some painfully close elections before. Or maybe Angle will be another Tea Party triumph, like Rand Paul in Kentucky -- though some Republican leaders won't find that reassuring.

Yet it's too early for Democrats to celebrate Harry Reid's return from the dead. While all three leading Republican candidates have their problems, even the most favorable polls still show Reid in the low 40s. That is a dangerous place for a four-term incumbent to be, no matter how his lesser-known opponents perform. If ever there was a race where a populist conservative who might struggle in other years would have a chance, this would seem to be it.

Reid will make his Republican challenger the issue in the fall campaign. But Sharron Angle, Sue Lowden, and Danny Tarkanian aren't the point men for Barack Obama's agenda in the Senate -- such as the health care law most Nevadans tell pollsters they'd like to see repealed.

The moral of this story: You may be able to barter your chickens for health care, but don't count them before they are hatched.

About the Author

W. James Antle, III is associate editor of The American Spectator. You can follow him on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/Jimantle.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (27) | Leave a comment

Michael L. Hauschild| 6.7.10 @ 8:30AM

The “41- to – Angle” tells me all I need to know. You won’t have to hold your breath every time she casts a vote. God speed if you adhere to your creed.

Mimi| 6.7.10 @ 9:01AM

Michael: Sounds like just what we need....someone to say "NO.....MO". Hope she wins the primary and goes on to defeat "Harry".

Lullaby's, Legends and Lies| 6.7.10 @ 12:16PM

I like the NO Angle Logo!!! I hope she wins this one on Tuesday night, but if she doesn't, I'm getting right behind the Republican who does win it. Right after the results come out, I'm heading straight to somebody's website to donate to their campaign. Old Harry has to go!! It's simply a no-brainer!! So what if Angle is a possible nut case who can never be trusted (as Dan D says below). I'll take a nut case of a sane lunatic like Reid any day of the week, and twice on Friday's!! He's proven, time and time again, that he's no fan of the average American, and it's time to put him out to pasture, permanently!! My checkbook is open and waiting, I just need a name to fill it in with now!! I hope it's Angle!!

Thomas Sullivan| 6.7.10 @ 3:13PM

I will be donating to the Republican right after the primary as well. This is one the Republicans cannot afford to lose!

Margie| 6.7.10 @ 5:42PM

Oh my! A couple of nut cases saying we better vote for the Republican over a Democrat. How Un-American! How hypocritical! How utterly despicable and what a betrayal of your country! The rubber room awaits you.. I'll be there, though, so don't worry, we can watch as the self-righteous holier-than-thou Libertarians and those who just couldn't bring themselves to vote Republican finish destroying our beloved country. It'll be a room with a view, indeed.

Lullaby's, Legends and Lies| 6.7.10 @ 6:40PM

This rubber room you're talking about here? I know it very well!! The nurses there say it's a madhouse everyday, but it's not really, it's just very busy, that's all.

Tim*| 6.8.10 @ 1:05AM

Obviously , now Margie would like each and every one of us to please vote for The Republican Candidate Rand Paul for Senator of The Great Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The Tea Party Rebels wishes to thank Margie for her change of heart , regarding Rand Paul .

No more of that Neocon crap for Margie.

Margie| 6.8.10 @ 10:23AM

NeoCommie Tim* the anti-semite refused to vote for John McCain for President, and instead wrote in a name. He calls McCain a "serial Traitor."

Israel hater Timmy* who calls everyone who backs Israel the same perverted names as the Toddards, Seans, Red Phillips, William R.'s do. They refer to conservatives who vote Republican as "Israel-Firsters, Neo-Cons, anti-American, America haters, America betrayers, hypocrites, etc.

They love the Pauls because they reflect their view on Israel. The perverted, non-interventionist, Israel hating view.

Conservatives the country over do not thank the despicable scumbag Tim* and his ilk for giving us the Marxist in Chief, and yet bashes and stalks those of us who voted for McCain/Palin.

The scumbag Tim*s have a special place in Hell waiting for them, as do all liars.

Margie| 6.8.10 @ 10:46AM

p.s. Rand Paul, like his anti-semitic Dadddy, is a Libertarian. He, like his Daddy, has to run as a Republican because it's the only way they can get elected. They are non-interventionist whack jobs, like Timmy* and Toddard and Red Phillips, and Sean, and William R.

Deceitful liars. Rand Paul is aligned with Adam Kokesh who is aligned with Code Pink. Go read Michelle Malkin. Go read David Horowitz if you want to find out the truth about the Paul Libertarian Leftist mindset.

Now~~will AmSpec again remove my post because I speak truthfully, again?

Dan D| 6.7.10 @ 10:44AM

Angle is an undisguised blessing to Harry Reid, her nomination is his best shot at keeping his seat. She is no conservative, she is a nut case who may look appealing as a reliable vote, but such people can never be trusted. This is not the path back to sanity, indeed it is the opposite.

canuckistani| 6.7.10 @ 4:23PM

Nevada, who cares?
Another backwater state with two too many senators. Why would an ind voter logically vote republican federally here? They have a leadership member who can steer activity to the state moreso than any freshman wacko that will be shunned by GOP leadership come 2 seconds after the polls close in Nov.
If they vote to punt the leader, they deserve everything they're due when budget season comes along. Exotic military projects cuts = fewer jobs. GOP spending cuts = cuts to tourism $$= fewer jobs. Anti-immigration stance = reduction in cheap labor and an ostricized state = fewer jobs. Dumb Dumb and dumb. Tea party math does not work in a fantasy state like Nevada.

Jeff Perren| 6.7.10 @ 5:50PM

So, it's come to this? Harry Reid can spout the most insane comments for decades - statements that in a rational country would be viewed as literally psychotic - and his (any) possible opponent is viewed as the nut case?

Margie| 6.7.10 @ 6:47PM

Hey, get used to it. You're next.

Oldefarte| 6.7.10 @ 10:55AM

I know exactly what Lowden meant [and her point] by her 'chickens' declaration, and it's the truth [as anyone my age knows full well]. To the citizens/voters of Navada, I can only say that you had better think long and hard about this election, since it's no doubt the most important election of any in the country going forward. Do you Navadians and your state wish to be continually represented by the policies/political positions of Harry Reid, who has tremendous political power as majority leader/seniority to continue to support/accompolish the liberal, socialistic, insane political priorities/policies of this current administration? If you're intelligent and also care about the welfare/concerns of the rest of your/my country and it's survival, you'll vote for any/all other candidates that oppose Harry Reid!!!!!

james wilson| 6.7.10 @ 11:28AM

I will vote in Nevada on Tuesday. Lowden is the kind of Republican that Democrats cannot exist without. They are the cleaning crews hired to clean up after the party, and cleaning is all they do. Then permanent government can resume its thing.
Angle is apparently not signing up for that. So stroker Harry get re-elected? Shame on us, and proof that Lowden was not going to be an answer, but a part of the team. I don't want someone who plays well with others.

Andrew Keirns| 6.7.10 @ 11:54AM

The real test for Nevada: can the Team pull together behind one after a good, tough contest? And can Angle hang in there if the Pundiots chime in with, "You can't be Reid in November"?

Andrew Keirns| 6.7.10 @ 12:09PM

with, "You can't beat Reid in November"?

Tim| 6.7.10 @ 12:41PM

Except that the RiNOs always pull out the old : " Hold your nose and vote for me because I am the only one electable" BS.

ojo grande| 6.7.10 @ 12:44PM

I haven't seen Sharron Angle speak...but I was unimpressed with the interviews of Lowden. Lowden didn't strike me as a Conservative, I thought that she would take the easy path and become a Rhino....but hey, anyone is better than that weasel Reid. May the best woman win!

Clinton nee Publius| 6.7.10 @ 1:32PM

The reality is that the chickens are coming home to roost for the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. Ms. Angle would have been better served just running as a Tea Party candidate, but she can always leave the party and caucus with NO ONE when she gets to Washington. What this really shows is that the non-existent muscle and fringe power of the Tea Party is turning out to be yet another case of wishful liberal thinking - whistling in the dark as they walk past the graveyard.

I see a new America where the Tea Party casts off its bonds and hands the chains of corruption back to the Republicans and Democrats and charts its own course, firm in the belief and knowledge that America will come to respect and trust those who act for our collective good instead of seeking their own corrupt political phantasms. My money, my passion and my vote is precious and I will not be disenfranchised by yet more corruption from the left and the right. It is time we sought our own way and left them to argue over which chicken gets to cross the road; the business of real prosperity and real freedom awaits us and the work will not be easy. They have destroyed our economy, poisoned our society with their weak lies of corruption and a life without accountability. We want more; we are a civil society, but we seek to sustain freedom and not the bondage of entitlement. This is the work for the strong as the weak have already deserted us long ago. We have nothing to lose and our future is our own to gain.

Red Phillips| 6.7.10 @ 2:03PM

"before we all started having health care, in the olden days our grandparents, they would bring a chicken to the doctor, they would say I'll paint your house."

That statement happens to be pretty much true.

Spicy Joker| 6.7.10 @ 4:20PM

So the GOP is going to nominate a Scientologist to run against Harry Reid. Looks like Reid gets a stay of execution for another 6 years. Way to go!

canuckistani| 6.7.10 @ 4:28PM

And he's a Mormon nutjob, so what's the difference?
Nevada is a fantasy state that should have the same representation as Puerto Rico in the senate = zero.
Nevada should be begging for the welfare state, as everything they do economically is almost entirely driven by the state of affairs outside of it.

Margie| 6.7.10 @ 6:49PM

SpicyJoker,
Not unless enough of the complainers get out and vote for her.. if they can come down off of their high horses, that is.

DaveS| 6.7.10 @ 7:40PM

Nevadans should be able to beat Harry the Undertaker with a corpse! The only Republican who could lose is one who advocates getting rid of both gambling AND prostitution in that 'state.'

jcrue| 6.7.10 @ 8:03PM

being both a resident of Nevada and a veteran the only thing I need to be reminded of is Harry's proclamation that "The war is lost" to support anyone who runs against him.

I will urinate on his grave when he dies for all the servicemen and women he abandoned with those partisan, fallacious, petty words.