From Deseret News archives:
Will Reid get top job in Senate?
Sen. Harry Reid, 66, may be a Democrat and he may represent Nevada, but he has Utah connections he went to Utah State University, all his children went to Brigham Young University, and he is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Political pundits and predictors still cannot nail down exactly what will happen on Tuesday. The Democrats need a net gain of six seats to win a Senate majority, and competitive races in Missouri, Tennessee and Virginia have made the idea not so far-fetched.
"We'll pick up some seats; it's just a question of how many," Reid told the Deseret Morning News.
If the Democrats take over, Reid will change from Senate minority leader to Senate majority leader, keeping his status as the highest-ranking senator who is a member of the LDS Church in Congress.
He'll worry about his new role later, because until Election Day he is working to get Democrats elected by fund raising, watching polls and "hustling very hard" to make sure incumbents keep their seats and challengers win their races.
This time around, Reid would welcome a promotion, because it would mean a strong victory for the Democrats which was not the case in 2004. During the last election, the Democrats' worst-case scenario came true: Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry lost; Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle did not win his re-election bid in South Dakota and the Republicans retained control of the Senate.
Into the spotlight
Reid, who at the time was the Senate's assistant minority leader, was considered a behind-the-scenes-type senator. While he did speak on the Senate floor, he was best known for his knowledge of Senate rules and legislative strategy. He was the floor manager. He ran for re-election in 2004 on the slogan "Independent Like Nevada."
But after that election he became the face of the Senate Democrats.
At the time he was not preparing for a Daschle loss, but Reid quickly scrambled to gain support among his colleagues for the role, and they voted to make him the minority leader.
Quickly, news articles using boxing metaphors Reid was an amateur boxer in younger days and mentioning his small hometown of Searchlight, Nev., popped up everywhere.
Comments
- Welcome home RSL photo gallery 7:13 p.m.
- Truck driver dies in rollover 6:34 p.m.
- Girls basketball rankings 6:31 p.m.
- Boys basketball rankings 6:26 p.m.
- Nordqvist wins at LPGA 6:15 p.m.
- S.L. could up fees to rec facilities 5:55 p.m.
- Utah GOP opposes ethics initiative 5:45 p.m.
- Alternative to climate change? 5:40 p.m.
- Utah sells most 'New Moon' tickets 5:39 p.m.
- The origins of Thanksgiving Day 5:07 p.m.
- Real Champions
- Bronco, Kyle rubber match
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
- BYU's Lamb, Jorgensen reprimanded
- Plenty on line for rivalry game
- Time for big matchups in WAC, MWC
- BCS at-large bids up for grabs
- Hall, Johnson matchup key
- Is talking about religion taboo?
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
214 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
212 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
193 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - BYU records with win
132 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
131 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
121 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
103 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
99
Are you a small business owner who can't afford a holiday party this year?
Maxine is a headcase and your best player (collie) saw the writing on the...
Someone must think that their "Capri Sun and orange slices" joke is pretty...
Typical Cougars - crying before and after games. Stop whining, Cougs!
@@bill 2:04 p.m.: "Barack Obama is a graduate of Columbia University and...
In my mind, Wingert is our best attacking back, and has the heart of a lion....
As a latter-day saint I have lived in and out of Utah. Never once have I...
Let me answer that before a TV fan gets on here and makes excuses. 21-7 at...
mr. garrett like many many other professors& scientists world wide have...
I just finished the New Testament and there are no "seer stones" in the...
Gays can be mean and petty and lets not forget that there are women who are...



You can be the first to comment on this story.