Nevada’s senior Senator and the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has taken time out to make a new enemy. Reid publicly threatened the Las Vegas Review Journal — the state’s largest daily paper — saying he hoped it would go out of business. He later added that “he wants the Review-Journal to continue selling advertising because the Las Vegas Sun is delivered inside the Review-Journal.” This story has been picked up by a wide range of news sources including the New York Times, Fox News, and a host of others.

The Las Vegas Valley and surrounding area accounts for 68% of Nevada’s population, and the R-J is our paper of record. As Reid faces re-election next year, his approval rating in the state is in the mid 30% range. His approval rating outside the state is even more dismal. It might not be a good political move to make an enemy of this large newspaper.