GOP veteran Harris hustles for pal Newt

Longtime Nevada GOP firebrand George Harris continues to hustle on behalf of his favorite presidential candidate, Newt Gingrich.

You may recall that Harris was a supporter of Gingrich long before the former Speaker of the House announced his candidacy. The friendship has been made all the more interesting because Harris previously worked as a political operative for Las Vegas Sands and Gingrich’s big money backer, casino mogul Sheldon Adelson.

Last I checked, Harris and Adelson were on the outs. Who knows, maybe Newt will help Adelson and Harris kiss and make up, and the strange bedfellows will get back together.

In rereading that last line, I realize it sounds like some kind of political three-way.

That certainly wasn’t my intention.

Adelson and wife Miriam each have contributed $5 million to the Gingrich super PAC, which political observers believe has been essential to keeping alive the candidacy. Whether all that money — and Adelson's importance to the state GOP — makes a difference on caucus day remains to be seen.

Frontrunner Mitt Romney not only won Nevada in the previous election cycle, but he has developed a strong network in the state. In other words, he has been doing his homework here. That figures to translate into an easy victory on Saturday.

Harris, a part-owner of the popular Mundo Mexican restaurant at the World Market Center downtown, will play host to Gingrich Thursday morning for a Hispanic roundtable. Earlier in the morning, Harris will also escort Gingrich to Don Ahern’s Extreme Manufacturing on Bonanza Road. Gingrich is set for a fundraiser just before noon upstairs at the furniture center.