“Big Guns” roll out for Reid

The "big guns" are rolling out for Sen. Harry Reid, as a bevy of high-powered Senate committee leaders are hosting a fundraiser Wednesday for the embattled majority leader.

Roll Call reports this morning on a who's who of senior Democrats listed as sponsors of a breakfast being held at the Liaison hotel on Capitol Hill.

Suggested contributions are $500-$1,000 for individuals and $1,500-$2,500 for political action committees.

The invite lists Finance Chairman Max Baucus of Montana, Budget Chairman Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin of Michigan and Banking Chairman Chris Dodd of Connecticut, along with Reid's leadership deputies Dick Durbin of Illinois and Charles Schumer of New York.

The leaders of virtually every Senate committee are expected to be there as well, the newspaper reported.

Many of them already have given Reid the maximum $10,000 allowed by law, and now are asking their own donor networks to chip in to save the Nevadan, and the party from the embarrassment of having its second leader knocked off. (Majority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota was beaten in 2004.)

Reid's camp declined to tell Roll Call how much money it expects to make off the event as Reid is in the midst of his toughest re-election bid.

An unnamed Democratic aide told the newspaper the event is a chance for committee leaders "to show loyalty."

"They are rolling out the big guns for the majority leader," the aide said.

Also, with the most powerful senators in one place, "It's one-stop shopping for lobbyists."