Republicans Blowing it in Nevada

Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader from Nevada, was ripe for the picking in the upcoming mid-term election. He is very unpopular in his state, and a posterboy for the problems in DC. His approval rating has been well below 50% for months. Yet, in the latest Rasmussen poll, he has regained the lead over challenger Sharon Angle. Her apparent extremist views, incompetence, and an inexperienced political team has caused her to drop in the polls.

The Republicans in Nevada appear to have blown it. In fact, you can say this is a symptom of the party nationally. This is what gave rise to the Tea Party movement. Unfortunately, the movement contains some outliers with some out of mainstream views.

Republicans have not put together their message for the fall campaign yet. They need to keep it simple... smaller government, less spending, investing in legitimate job creation, a more credible health plan, and an energy plan that steers a course a way from dependence on foreign oil, but one that doesnt say just "drill baby drill." I am not sure the Republican leadership is capable of providing such a message.

As a result, in spite of the supposed wave in the electorate this year away from Democrats, I think the Republicans will have a tough time regaining the House, and likely will pick up only a few seats in the Senate. This opinion, of course, may change over time, but due to incompetent Republican leadership, I am not as optimistic as some.