Reid thanks volunteers and Republican supporters

On Tuesday morning, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid casually visited with members of his campaign staff at his Durango Road headquarters. They were people who have been putting in long hours in the hope of getting out as many Democratic voters as possible despite the economy and enormously negative atmosphere.

The soft-spoken Reid was uncharacteristically sentimental when taking time to note the death of Suki Colton, wife of his longtime friend Stan Colton of Searchlight. Suki was a singularly colorful spirit whose obituary Tuesday read, “39 (and recycling).” He reminded the roomful of reporters and campaign volunteers that Suki voted before she passed.

He also acknowledged his appreciation for the support he’s received around Nevada from high-profile Republicans.

“I realize why they’re doing it," he said amid a throng of cameras and reporters. "They’re not doing it because they suddenly want to become Democrats. They do not want a Republican Party with her brand on it. They want a Republican Party that is one that their mothers’ and fathers’ Republican Party, one that …Ronald Regan would support, one that the first George Bush would support. So I feel comfortable with what we’ve done with the Democrats, independents, and (Republicans.)”