Reid Steps Up for Re-Election Dogfight

Majority leader has low ratings, political target on his back
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 27, 2008 12:00 PM CST
Reid Steps Up for Re-Election Dogfight
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., talks with reporters on the financial market turmoil on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008.    (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

He presides over the biggest Senate majority in a quarter century, but Harry Reid is still the Democrat most likely to be unseated in 2 years, the Wall Street Journal reports. A recent poll shows Reid’s approval rating at 38%, and his disapproval rating at 54%. Aware of the danger, Reid has stepped up his fundraising and began interviewing campaign managers this week.

Reid’s leadership position makes him a top target for Republicans, who hope to oust him as they did Tom Daschle in 2004. Democrats likewise nearly unseated GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell this year. Reid watched those races closely, says Nevada's other senator, John Ensign: “He saw the consequences of being the leader of one of the parties.” Reid expects to amass $3 million by year’s end, which still leaves him $4 million short of what he ran with 4 years ago.
(More Harry Reid stories.)

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