Political Oddsmaker Says Reid Appears Vulnerable in 2010 Race

A top political oddsmaker on Thursday said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid appears vulnerable in his 2010 re-election race.

An analysis by The Cook Political Report, which gauges political races across the country, shifted the Nevada Senate seat from the "likely Democratic" column to "toss up" in its 2010 predictions.

The toughly worded analysis said it was doing so "in anticipation of a very hotly contested -- and likely nasty -- general election."

The assessment noted a series of recent developments that could imperil Reid.

Recent polling showed that GOP candidate Danny Tarkanian, a former University of Nevada-Las Vegas basketball player, had an early lead over Reid. It also showed Sue Lowden, chairwoman of the Nevada Republican Party and a possible candidate, leading the Democratic incumbent.

Meanwhile, Reid got in a high-profile dispute with the Las Vegas Review-Journal after he told the paper's ad director he hopes the company goes "out of business." Plus he drew attention for bluntly stating in an interview that Sen. Ted Kennedy's death would "help us" pass health care reform.

But the analysis noted that the overall political environment, considered detrimental for Democrats, and the sagging Nevada economy compound Reid's problems.

"If we were skeptical of Reid's vulnerability at the start of the cycle, we have become increasingly convinced over the last two months or so that he is as endangered as any Democratic incumbent seeking re-election in 2010," the analysis said, calling Reid's political problems "deep" and "difficult" -- but not irreversible.