Political lesson

If you doubt that freshman Rep. Dina Titus faces a tough re-election battle, consider her vote on the debt issue.

Rep Titus, a Democrat, was a reliable liberal throughout her tenure in the Nevada Legislature. She defeated an incumbent Republican last year thanks to Obamamania. The GOP sees her as vulnerable in 2010 -- and she obviously agrees.

On Wednesday, she was one of only 39 Democrats to join House Republicans in voting against an increase in the debt limit. The opposition failed, as the measure passed 219-215.

The higher limit is necessary because the federal government is running record deficits, which will surely be an issue come November. The last thing Rep. Titus needs is to give her Republican challenger a ready made TV ad assailing her for favoring more deficit spending.

Contrast that with Nevada Rep. Shelley Berkley, who claims to be a fiscally prudent Democrat yet voted in favor of raising the debt limit. Why? Her district is lock-proof safe -- she has virtually no chance to lose.