Who's the newest Elkonian? How much stock does the Weekly Reid own? What does Tom Udall do with the newspaper ads attacking him? Reid On! 

Nevada First: Department of Rural Outreach. Senator Barack Obama brought his Presidential campaign to Nevada last week, and his first stop was the booming metropolis of Elko. For too long, national campaigns haven't spent time in rural Nevada. The idea was to run up the totals in Clark County, and let the pieces fall as they may in the other 16 counties. Frankly, it didn't work. John Kerry lost Nevada by 20,000 votes, and Senator Reid argues that half of those votes could have been flipped if he spent more time in rural Nevada. Fast forward to 2008: Barack Obama, on his third (!) visit to Elko, asks if he can be an "honorary Elkonian." Will he win Elko? Perhaps. It'll be a tough fight. But the importance of playing in rural areas, and other areas typically hostile to Democrats, can't be ignored - we're building a national campaign here folks, and we can't ignore places that may not love all of our policies. The fact of the matter is simple: The failed policies of the Bush-McCain Republican Party have hurt Americans all across this county: from Elko to Eugene, OR, from Las Vegas to Lansing, MI.  Sen. Obama's campaign for change resonates in cities all across America - and it's our duty to spread that message.

Plus. If we can force McCain to spend money in places he wouldn't otherwise, that's less money for him to spend in Ohio and Florida.

Department of Green-Vada. The Weekly Reid's been flooding your inbox with updated registration numbers for the last six months. Nevada is becoming Blu-vada. But have you noticed that it's also blossoming into the renewable energy capital of the world? The Clean Energy Summit hosted by Sen. Reid helped focus people's attention on the Renewable Wonderland that is Nevada. And he's not stopping with conferences - he's using his clout to deliver much needed jobs to Nevada (in Las Vegas, the unemployment rate has spiked to 7.1%). Two nuggets for you today: First, the Department of Energy announced last week a grant of $600,000 for a Las Vegas based company, Acciona Solar Power, to help fund renewable projects. Nevada's got a lot of sun, and there are plenty of smart people looking for work. Second, there's a new company on the scene in Nevada, and its aim is to provide Nevadans with homegrown energy. NV Energy - formerly Sierra Pacific Power Company and Nevada Power Company - promises to focus attention on the renewable energy options in Nevada. From a press release: NV Energy will continue to focus on a statewide three-part energy strategy that emphasizes energy efficiency and conservation, the development of new renewable resources, and adding generation that uses the cleanest available technologies. Same goals, new name. That's branding at work!

Must Reid: Department of What The… The Weekly Reid isn't going to delve into the why's and the how's of the financial meltdown. At all. Not just because none of it makes any sense. Rather, since the Weekly Reid owns exactly zero stock, he's got no horse in the race. Here's what the Weekly Reid will say: Oversight matters. For 8 years the Bush Administration has treated oversight and accountability like…well, no analogy quite captures their utter disregard for two staples of our democracy. The hands-off  philosophy of Bush-McCain Republicans has brought our economy to its knees - and now is the time to put the American people first.

Here's what Democrats will do: First, protect taxpayers. We cannot afford to give a black check to the very same administration who has abused such power in the past. We must make sure taxpayers can reap the rewards - not just swallow the risk. As for executive pay? Why should execs who abused the trust of the American people ride off into retirement on our buck? There needs to be a limit. Second, protect homeowners and strengthen the middle class. We need a second economic recovery plan; one that keeps people in their homes and creates jobs.

The bottom-line? Democrats will work this week to restore stability to the markets - but we won't rush into something, taking George W. Bush's word for it.

Department of Oh, We Also Need to…  While the American people are looking to the Hill for solutions to the greatest economic crisis in the Weekly Reid's lifetime, there are a number of other pressing issues that must be addressed before Congress breaks for the election. The tax extenders for renewable energy projects will come to the floor this week. Also, look for a deal worked out to pass a CR towards the end of the week. Democrats would like to get one passed to keep the government working through March of '09. Bush-McCain Republicans are hoping to get the Columbia free trade agreement and an India nuclear deal done in a lame duck session. No word yet as to whether or not there will be such a session.

Reid's Watching: Department of Big Spenders. A lot's happening down at the races. The NRSC barely out raised the DSCC last month (by less than a million bucks). But the DSCC is spending aggressively to support our candidates around the country, pumping nearly 14 million bucks into competitive races around the country - Colorado, North Carolina, Mississippi, to name just a few. What does this mean for our chances of getting to 60? Anything's possible. But to get to 60, we need to win in places like Oklahoma (Andrew Rice) and Georgia (Jim Martin, one of Harry Reid's favorites).  Remember: The DSCC was there, in October 2006, when the races in Virginia, Missouri and Montana tightened. Their hard work secured victory in the most competitive races then, and will do so again in 2008.  Click over to the DSCC's website and help them out raise the Republicans this month.

Department of in the trenches. The Weekly Reid's taking a look at three races this week:

New Mexico: Things are looking better and better for Tom Udall. Pollster.com's poll of polls has him up 55-41, and his newest ad, "Polly" makes a big joke out of Steve Pearce's inane attacks.
New Hampshire: Jean Shaheen's been leading in the polls since she lost to Sen. Sununu in 2002. But this is one of those races that will tighten as we get closer to election day. Gov. Shaheen's doing all she can to put the election away now (ARG has her up 12), and ads like this one, Dig, is a great step in that direction. Tag line: "The President has dug us into a very, very deep hole." And John Sununu's helped rubberstamp it!
Minnesota: SurveryUSA and Razz have this race very close - one point stands between Norm Coleman's reelection and his gradual fade into obscurity. Al Franken has really turned this race around in the last few months. And despite brutal attack ads from Coleman's campaign, Al's playing it straight (well, as much as he can be expected to) and running some of the best ads of the year. Here's his newest. And it's the Weekly Reid's favorite type of ad: the direct, stare-in-the-camera and remind-voters-what-the-issues are kind.

Have a great week! Tune in next week for another edition of the Weekly Reid!

Did John McCain really use the words "Fundamentally Sound"; and "the economy" in the same sentence? Guess what turned 14 over the weekend? What's happening at the races? Reid On for a Jeopardy version of the Weekly Reid

Nevada First: The Yucca Stops Here for $200. Early last week the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said it would officially look at licensing the waste dump at this (unstable) location. What is Yucca Mountain? Correct! Over the next four years, commissioners will dig deeper into the proposal. The Weekly Reid can save them a lot of time: Don’t. Even. Think. About. It. 77,000 tons of nuclear waste. Shipped from 100 sites around the country. To a mountain 90 miles away from one of the hottest tourist spots in the world. In an earthquake prone area. Above a water source. Really? Fortunately, Nevadans have Harry Reid on their side. In an editorial last week, the Las Vegas Sun asked all Nevadans to mobilize against Yucca.  The Weekly Reid wholeheartedly endorses this idea. And while you’re at it, remind everyone that this election is critical in the fight against Yucca. John McCain (Bush 44, according to Joe Biden) thinks Yucca is a good idea. Barack Obama doesn't. One more thing: Congresswoman Shelley Berkley caught House Republicans trying to pull a fast one on Democrats by slipping in a whole bunch of extra money for Yucca in an Energy bill in the house. Great catch Congresswoman!. Memo to all NRC staff: Put “The China Syndrome” at the top of your Netflix cue.

Must Reid: “Anything Goes” for $400. The failed economic policies of this President led to the market meltdown of 2008. Who is George Bush? Yes! And let’s add to that, John McCain, who claimed just yesterday that the fundamentals of the economy are sound. Sound? Sound? Please explain Senator. … Senator? Harry Reid spoke out yesterday (video here), asking the question middle class Americans have been asking for months: “For whom is the economy strong?”

The economy certainly isn't strong for the 606.000 Americans who lost their jobs this year. This is 606,000 people, and you have John McCain saying the economy looks good? I really don't understand what he means, the fundamentals are good.

There may be places in America where the economy is strong – country clubs, a few board, firms that haven't – boardrooms, firms that haven't folded. For the rest of America this country is not strong and won't solve itself. No matter what President Bush and Senator McCain say, fixing this mess will take real leadership and a change of direction.

Thanks Sen. Reid, for putting that in perspective. Thank you for reminding Americans that what’s brought the American economy and Wall Street to its knees are the failed policies of Bush-McCain Republicans. Thanks for pointing out that the failure to police lenders and protect consumers will be the long lasting legacy of the GOP in the first decade of the 21st century.

On The Docket for $600. DOD. Energy. 2nd Economic Stimulus. What are legislative priorities of the Senate Dems for the week of 9/15/08? Absolutely. Cloture was invoked for the DOD authorization last week - and the measure passed today. What does it do for our vets? Gives them a pay raise of 3.9% for starters. Plus, helps them get back into school and find a decent home. The fight to get this passed wasn't easy - to quote the leader, "it certainly would have helped move this legislation forward if the ranking Republican, the Republican nominee [John McCain is the ranking member on Armed Services], had shown the leadership and commitment to this cause by bringing his fellow Republicans on board."

The big push this week is energy. Here’s what we’re hoping for. There are a few options on the floor that are great starting points. The Bush-McCain Republicans are asking for one thing over and over and over again: DrillDrillDrill. Democrats want to ease the financial burden at the pump now - not 10 years from now (which is about when the DrillDrillDrill policy will actually start paying off). We want to roll back the HUGE tax breaks for Big Oil and extend tax credits for investment in renewables. The Hill will be buzzing this week with energy talk. Let's hope Obstructionist Republicans decide to do more than just talk: they need to join with us to get something done for the American people.
Democrats would also like to get a second stimulus package to the floor before the session is out. Republicans don't like the idea. And the President would likely veto it. But that hasn't stopped us before. Not when the American people are counting on us.

Standing Up for $800. In 1994, the Senate passed this civil rights act, written by Sen. Joe Biden. What is the Violence Against Women Act? Right, again! Over the weekend, the VAWA turned 14, and the Obama-Biden campaign is bringing it back into focus this week with a series of events centered on how an Obama-Biden administration would stand up for women’s rights. Tomorrow Joe Biden and Sen. Clinton will host a joint on-line conversation with women from across the country. Also, the Senate may take up again the Coburn Omnibus, which includes the Combating Child Exploitation Act (held up by Tom Coburn). This bill, also written by Joe Biden, is being championed by everyone’s favorite media mogul, Oprah. It’s nice when priorities merge like this, isn’t it?

Reid’s Watching: Ad Wars for $1,000. Many political junkies point to this weekend as the “official” start to serious campaigning. What is Labor Day weekend, Alex? Right, for $1,000. Well, Labor Day weekend has come and gone. The primary elections have all been held. And, frankly, the gloves have come off and the the race is on. Here's the Weekly Reid's update on some of the key races Harry Reid's looking at this fall:

Oregon: Merkley’s up 2 in a new internal poll. Even better - Gordon Smith’s approval numbers are in the tank. Ad: Jeff Merkley channeling his inner populist.
North Carolina: A slew of polls - Hagan up one says Public Policy, down two says another. This race is tightening, folks. Kay can hang in there - can Liddy? Here’s Kay’s newest ad - she knows how to balance a budget.
Mississippi: Interim Senator Roger Wicker is up five on Gov. Ronnie Musgrove. The Governor has closed this gap greatly in the last month, and he's got statewide name ID. And he’s also successfully challenged the location of his race on the ticket. Mississippi Republicans attempted to have his race put at the bottom of the ballot in November. Looks like it’ll be near the top, where it belongs. Ad: The DSCC hits Wicker on exporting jobs.

Have a great week! Tune in next week for another edition of the Weekly Reid! 

Which way does the Truckee River flow? Who's the nation's most famous Snake Oil Salesman? Who's Harry Reid's newest favorite challenger? Reid on!

Nevada First:Sharing The Love. After the lashing DC and the northeast took at the hands of Hanna, you may have had enough water talk. But, if you hang around Nevada politics long enough, you quickly become an expert on water. Water usage, water rights. Water. Last week, Harry Reid, along with representatives from Nevada, California, and the federal government, met just north of Reno for the signing of the Truckee River Operating Agreement. Here’s what’s at stake: “Under the agreement, California will get two-thirds of Lake Tahoe's water to Nevada's one-third, while Nevada will receive 90 percent of the Truckee's water to California's 10 percent. It also calls for Nevada to get 80 percent of the Carson River's water to California's 20 percent.” Behind the agreement: Lawsuits going back a century. And Harry Reid, who laid the groundwork for the agreement 18 years ago with the Truckee-Carson-Pyramid Lake Water Rights Settlement Act. There’s an old saying in Rural Nevada: “Politics STARTS at the waters edge.” And thanks to Harry Reid’s ability to work across party lines - and his patience - the TROA will help development along the Truckee.

Blue-vada. The Weekly Reid’s been hyping the new registration numbers for the NV Democratic Party for months. And we’ll keep hyping them all the way through to November 4th.Here’s the latest: 565,855 Democrats. 489,802 Republicans. That’s 76,000 more Ds than Rs. In Washoe County - where the Presidential election may very well be decided - we’re only down by 5,217. But take heart - 12 months ago that number was 16,000. We’ve made tremendous gains in the reddest parts of the state.

Must Reid:We’re Baaaaaack! Traffic in DC just got a whole lot worse. There are a lot more suits on the Metro. Recess is over and the Senate reconvened yesterday afternoon. So what’s on hand this week? What will the Democrats bring to the floor? And what will Bush-McCain Republicans try to block? Here’s the Weekly Reid’s forecast for the coming week:
1. DOD Authorization. There’s no fooling around here folks. Our troops need to be equipped with everything they could possibly need in the field. And the Democratic Party is ready to give it to them. Before recess, the GOP refused to allow the DOD reauthorization to come to the floor for a vote. Yesterday, however, the motion to invoke cloture passed 83-0 (they quickly slipped back into their obstructionist ways by blocking attempts to move on the Highway Trust Fund bill - this is a big deal folks). For you C-SPAN junkies out there - look for Armed Services Chair Carl Levin to make another emotional appeal to Senate Republicans to put aside their partisan agenda and stand up for our troops. (Did you miss his last appeal? Read it here. Key line: “This cannot just be another vote, another vote which divides us Republicans from Democrats….This is not our bill. This is their bill. Let's vote to take it up and set a place, a firm place, where we can protect the men and women in uniform.”)
2. Energy. Energy! ENERGY! Here we go again folks. Another round of debate on critical legislation freeing us from dependence on the oil oligarchs who are draining the pockets of middle class Americans. There’s a lot of background discussion among senior Hill staffers on what exactly will come to the floor, and under what conditions a vote will occur.Democrats are using the Gang of 16 proposal as a starting point - What matters most is that the American people understand the Democratic party is standing up for them. Standing up to obstructionist Republicans. Standing up to (in the words of Harry Reid) “third world thugs, whose only virtue is their control of petroleum-based energy.” We've given Republicans 17 opportunities to lower astronomical energy prices. Their response? Drill! Drill! Drill! Drill! That's it. Like a CD stuck playing the same 3 seconds of your least favorite song. 

Hard Hitting. Know why Gov. Palin went out of her way to mention Harry Reid in her speech to the GOP last week? It’s because of Harry Reid’s speech to the Democratic National Convention. Did you see it? If you didn’t, you should watch it here. Or read it here. He takes John McCain and Bush Republicans to task for their years of failed energy policies. A few key grafs:

“Senator McCain and the Republicans have centered their answer to our vital energy needs on one solution: off-shore drilling. Senator McCain calls for it in every speech; his party has demagogued the issue in both houses of Congress.
 
So, is off-shore drilling energy policy or snake oil? Let’s review the facts. White House analysts, congressional analysts, and the oil industry all agree that off-shore drilling won’t add one drop to our energy pool for at least ten years. The way things are going now, in another ten years we won’t need more oil; nobody will be able to afford it.

[snip]

But even if Doc McCain’s magic off-shore oil elixir won’t work, will it do any harm?
 
The answer is, we just don’t know, and neither does he. It might not ruin tourism in the Gulf or on the California coast. It might not destroy vital fisheries. It might not pollute our waterways.

Nobody really knows. But kindly old Doc McCain would like to sell it to you anyway.
 
The simple fact is that the promise of more oil isn’t part of the solution; it’s part of the problem. At best this is an 18th century answer to a 21st century crisis; at worst it’s pure baloney.”

Baloney! Get that? Now, the Weekly Reid loves baloney and mustard on white bread as much as the next first grader, but a baloney energy policy -  based not on reality, but on election year politicking? When it comes to solving our country’s energy crisis, John McCain doesn’t have any of the answers. Well, in fairness, he does have one answer, and it’s George W. Bush’s as well: drill. That’s not the change we need; that’s more of the same.

Harry Reid’s been working with policy experts, business and labor leaders, as well as his colleagues in the Senate, to craft an energy plan that will set our country down the path to energy independence. A lot of the ideas were discussed in his speech, and a lot were covered in depth at the Clean Energy Summit in Las Vegas last month. Read up on them - change is gonna come.

Reid’s Watching:Profiles in Courage. Challenging an incumbent Senator isn’t easy. And taking on one of Washington’s most entrenched incumbents is event more difficult. But this weekend, two papers profiled our challengers who are doing just that. One from the NYTimes, profiling Jean Shaheen, and another from the Charlotte Observer about Kay Hagan’seffort to unseat Liddy Dole. Both Jean and Kay are making their case to the voters - and their opponents are running hard away from the Republican party of Bush-McCain obstructionists. With a combined 60 years in Washington, that’s probably a harder task than Kay and Jean have.

Georgia on his mind. Close your eyes and go back to the fall of 2002. Think of one race that enraged you more than any other. Picture the one television ad that boiled your blood. Chances are, you’re all thinking of the same race and picturing the same ad. Saxby Chambliss won his Senate seat by smearing one of the finest American heroes to ever serve in the Senate. And now, Sen. Chambliss is in a fight for his political life. Jim Martin’s behind by a mere six points. He’s Harry Reid’s newest favorite challenger, and he’s committed to helping Jim raise some dough to take back Max Cleland’s seat. If you’re in DC on September 24th, Harry Reid would love for you to join us for a luncheon with Jim Martin. See the invite here.

Ad Watch: Two great ads for you this week. Tom Udall in New Mexico reminds voters why the Democrats are best prepared to address the national energy crisis. And Dina Titus, running in Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District, introduces voters to her mother - who taught her what’s worth fighting for.