Reid’s latest Republican endorsement might be his greatest

I've officially seen everything in Campaign 2010.

Ace Robison is endorsing Harry Reid.

That's the same Robison who is the former chairman of the Nevada Republican Party, former chief of staff to Paul Laxalt. It's the same Robison who is stake president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Moapa Valley.

Most astoundingly, it's also the Ace Robison who for decades has played an integral role in attempting to develop the nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain.

His greatest adversary?

Harry Reid.

The endorsement comes with the caveat that Robison is no fan of President Barack Obama and the Democrats in Washington -- or, for that matter, of Reid's substantial role in pushing through a controversial agenda.

Robison wrote a letter first published in the Moapa Valley Progress, a missive being reprinted by an elated Reid campaign: "It is not lost on me that Sen. Harry Reid has been a key participant in this unfortunate saga, so I am sure you are asking; why am I voting for Harry Reid and inviting you to do likewise?"

As a matter of fact, that's just the question I was asking.

Robison's answer: He's known Reid 35 years and believes him to be "a man of honor and utmost integrity -- which means a great deal to me. He believes in what he does as much as I disagree with some of what he does. Our friendship has been like that."

Robison goes on to add, "He has always worked and exerted his influence to the benefit of Nevadans. And his influence is significant."

Robison is no Republican In Name Only. He eats RINOs for breakfast. With a focus on the faith community, the mailer includes endorsements by ex-Clark County Commissioner Jay Bingham, the Rev. Sam Roberson of Community Baptist Church and former educator Marlan Walker.

What about Reid's opponent, Sharron Angle?

Robison: "I will say nothing negative about Sen. Reid's opponent except to say that Nevada and America will lose a quiet yet powerful and influential voice if we lose Sen. Harry Reid. Sharron Angle has not, cannot, and will not be able to step into the vital positions of positive power and influence that Sen. Reid now exerts on behalf of Nevada, this nation and its institutions."

Reid's camp is also announcing the endorsement of Elko's Republican state Sen. Dean Rhoads, another lifelong GOP stalwart.

ENDORSEMENT ADVICE: Here's a little advice. When your opponent receives endorsements, don't waste time ridiculing them. It's bound to backfire, as in the justice of the peace race between Jim Gubler and Suzan Baucum.

Gubler was inaccurately critical of Baucum's armload of major endorsements, then was chastised by Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist Jane Ann Morrison, creating fodder for a bruising Baucum mass mailer.

ANGRY OFFICER: Ex-Metro Lt. Randy Sutton, who suffered a minor stroke and was diagnosed with advanced heart disease, is still steaming over the treatment he received from the department's insurance expert, Dr. Joe Heck, the congressional candidate. Sutton's claim was initially rejected.

Sutton had heart surgery late last year and retired in February after 24 years with Metro.

TAX SMOKE: While he was with the Henderson Fire Department, Dwight Jackson became one of its highest-paid employees. Now that he's retired, he's accused of failing to report that hefty government income from 2004 to 2008. The indictment was handed up this week.

Jackson in 2009 ranked as the 11th-highest-paid city of Henderson employee with total compensation of $280,198.57, according to the TransparentNevada website.

ON THE BOULEVARD: You might not remember GOP U.S. Senate candidate John Chachas, but some people who worked for him sure do. And they're saying the wealthy Wall Street deal maker still owes them money from his failed primary. Those elephants sure have long memories.

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