MY COLUMN: What Nevada pols (and a few others) will give thanks for Thursday

If you think I’m good at predicting election outcomes, I’m just as prescient when it comes to what certain Nevada luminaries (some anthropomorphism required) will give thanks for over their turkeys on Thursday:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid: That he didn’t need Nevada’s Senate seat to retain his scepter. Mitt Romney’s invisible tax returns. His beautiful friendship of 25 years with Dean Heller.

Sen. Dean Heller: The House Ethics Committee. The House Ethics Committee. The House Ethics Committee.

Rep.-elect Steven Horsford: North Las Vegas voters. Danny Tarkanian’s investment decisions. The Culinary/labor/Reid machine.

Rep.-elect Dina Titus: Shelley Berkley’s decision to run for Senate. Ruben Kihuen’s fear. A seat for life.

Rep. Joe Heck: John Oceguera’s commitment to physical fitness and pension collection. That the Democrats didn’t pay much attention to CD3. That there aren’t enough women in the district who believe he causes cervical cancer.

Rep. Mark Amodei: A seat for life. Mining. The rurals.

Gov. Brian Sandoval: That the Democrats control the Legislature so he can have some handy foils again. Scary approval ratings. That it’s always sunny in Carson City.

Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki: That the Legislature will convene soon so he has something to do.

Secretary of State Ross Miller: That Glenn Cook didn’t find more than two non-citizens who voted.

Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto: For big banks and how they treat homeowners.

Treasurer Kate Marshall: That Ross Miller is term-limited and running for AG.

Controller Kim Wallin: That higher constitutional offices are term-limited, too (treasurer or lieutenant governor, which shall it be?)

Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick: The joy of 26 or 27 seats.

Assembly Minority Leader Pat Hickey: Low expectations for his caucus.

State Senate Majority Leader Mo Denis: 300 votes in SD9.

State Senate Minority Leader Michael Roberson: That neither Grover Norquist nor Chuck Muth affect too many votes here.

State Sens. Justin Jones and Joyce Woodhouse: The Democratic machine.

Speaker-killer Wes Duncan: Redistricting.

Danny Tarkanian: There are always other offices to run for.

John Oceguera: That pension.

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman: That Oscar generally is keeping his mouth shut.

Sheldon Adelson: That he has a little money left over. China.

Steve Wynn: That he has a little money left over. China.

Mining: No more Sheila Leslie.

The state Democratic Party: For the state Republican Party.

The state Republican Party: I can’t think of a damn thing.

The Las Vegas City Council: Tony Hsieh.

The Clark County Commission: For an election year in which no one paid much attention, and no one had much of a race.

Progressives: For ex-state Sen. John Lee giving them a chance to show what they can do.

Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak: For being at midterm in 2014 and with nothing to lose.

Your favorite pundit: Nevada politics – it truly is the gift that keeps on giving.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

 

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