Heller Key to GOP Success Against Reid, Dems in ‘10

The Associated Press reports this morning that Rep. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) “ducked questions” about possibly challenging Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) next year after addressing the Legislature in Carson City yesterday, saying, “I like the job I have. I like the committees I’m on.”

When asked if that meant he wouldn’t run against Reid, Heller responded, “I didn’t say that. I said my intentions today are to stay right where I am.”

My intentions “today.”

Which in political-speak means he’s absolutely, positively, seriously looking at the Reid race.

Indeed, word out of DC is that Sen. John Cornyn and the National Republican Senatorial Committee are lobbying Heller hard to make the run. And why not? He’s the strongest, most credible candidate the GOP could possibly put up against the Senate Majority Leader. Heller’s the real deal and the full package: Fiscally conservative, telegenic, experienced and able to raise the money needed to be competitive.

Make no mistake: The best chance to “daschle” Harry Reid in Nevada next year is for Dean Heller to be the GOP’s candidate.

Of course, conservative former Assemblywoman Sharron Angle has already announced that she’s formed an exploratory committee for the Reid race. However, an Angle run against Reid would be a decidedly long-shot, uphill battle.

On the other hand, were Heller to jump into the Reid race, Angle would almost certainly become the immediate front-runner to replace Heller in the conservative 2nd congressional district – which includes all of Nevada except most of urban Las Vegas. After all, she came in a close second to Heller in the GOP primary for that seat in 2006.

Heller for Senate. Angle for CD 2.

Now if only former GOP state Sen. Joe Heck could be persuaded to run against Rep. Dina Titus in CD 3 instead of governor and leave that race to North Las Vegas Mayor Mike Montandon – as well as persuade Jim Gibbons to forget about re-election and leave politics altogether in 2010 – Republicans (and conservatives!) might actually have something going here.

And to take the thought a little further down the line: If Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki would run for re-election; and if term-limited state Sen. Mark Amodei would run for Attorney General; and if banking executive and Nevada GOP boss Sue Lowden ran for Treasurer; and if state Sen. Barbara Cegavske ran for Secretary of State; and if former state Sen. Bob Beers ran for Controller – Republicans (and conservatives!) would pretty much have themselves a “Dream Team” for 2010.

But it all starts with Heller challenging Reid.

Anyone ready to start a Draft Dean movement?