Probably more than any other sitting U.S. Senator up for reelection next year, Harry Reid’s prospects cannot be judged by present polls. Reid will be judged by Nevadans’ interpretation of his job performance as Majority Leader, and if they think he has accomplished a lot, his poll numbers will rebound. If Obama’s agenda is repeatedly blocked by filibusters when Reid technically has 60 members to overcome them, the voters of Nevada are going to conclude that he is ineffective. It could be, although I am not ready to concede it, that Obama’s agenda is a little too far left for comfort in Nevada. If so, there could be a slight negative effect for Reid in enacting that agenda. But, realistically, even if that is the case, Reid will get more credit for showing leadership than he will get credit for failure.
Thoughts on Harry Reid
