The Next Senator from Nevada Get a Little Help from Obama?
Obama was on the campaign trail again, this time in Las Vegas stumping for embattled Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid. Obama’s ability to help in Reid's reelection came under scrutiny in theLas Vegas Sun, which noted that his record for helping Democrats win elections is not particularly stellar. In fact, it is so well-known that an appearance with Obama on the campaign trail is the “kiss of death” that Rep. Dina Titus and Harry Reid’s son, Rory Reid, both skipped the “pep” rally, rather than take a chance that both campaigns would be further tainted by Obama’s endorsement.
During the dog and pony show with a somewhat low attendance of the faithful, Obama attacked Sharron Angle, Reid’s opponent, not by name, but calling her out for remarks made regarding the never-ending Gulf Oil spill and the BP Fund set-up by the Feds – Obama characterized Angle as: “more extreme than the Republicans we've got in Washington. That's saying something."
As the Sun points out, Obama’s falling poll numbers, both in Nevada and nationwide, may not bode well for Harry. Could it be possible that the Presidents insistence that Bush is to blame for the deficit the nation now faces (instead of Obama’s Congress – where the blame lays), his lack of response to the Gulf Oil spill (most voters understand that from day one, other nations, and individuals have begged to assist, only to be turned down.), his possible culpability in a pay to play scheme coming out of the Blagojevich trial in Chicago, and most recently and germane to the citizens of Las Vegas, his suit against the State of Arizona, may make him appear both extreme and incompetent?
The Sun further profiles those in attendance who support Obama:
A 35-member coalition of Las Vegans who support immigration reform got in line four hours before the event. They wore T-shirts stating, “We need you Obama, keep pushing.”
One coalition leader, 22-year-old UNLV student Michael Flores, said he came to the rally because “Reid is a hero in Nevada.”
“I want someone in power who can bring things to Nevada,” Flores said. “I don’t see any valid points in what Sharron Angle is saying. She’s out of touch.”
George Matz, 83, a retired business agent, said he supports Obama and Reid despite the nation’s ongoing economic troubles.
“Most of that was inherited. In the eight years we had with President Bush, this country went downhill.
“I don’t know what’s going to create more jobs,” Matz said. “But Reid’s doing a good job for the country and he has continuously delivered for senior citizens.”
Basically, the Sun found 35 people who most likely are boycotting Arizona, one college student and an 83 year old retired business agent (Blaming Bush) to comment, and those were people who had come to the rally to join the choir.
How successful was Obama? In a visit to Angle’s website, one can see the donation counter climbing - , currently it stands at $1,611,034.53 although that amount might seem paltry compared to the $800,000 Obama is expected to raise from the 3,000 people in attendance at the Vegas rally, but it is early. One has to recall that in the high profile race between “The People of Massachusetts” (one Scott Brown) and Martha Coakley (Obama also paid her a visit), one Brown internet "money bomb" so far exceeded the expectation that National Republican’s actually took notice of Massachusetts and now the NRCC is actively supporting Congressional candidates in the Bay State (a first, and under reported). As September nears, one can well imagine that whatever spare change people may have left in their pockets will be going to candidates like Angle, and of more import, perhaps, their vote in November.
Note: The latest Poll shows Angle with a 7 point lead over Reid.
Also: three additional states may be joining Arizona: Oklahoma, Utah and South Carolina
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