While part of the calculus behind this decision must be drawn from Reid's decision not to campaign against McConnell in his 2008 re-election (even though a Democratic candidate came surprisingly close to unseating McConnell), the decision also has broader implications for Reid and the rest of the Democrats. McConnell's decision is a tacit acknowledgment that Reid has a solid chance to pull out a victory. Moreover, it shows unwillingness on the senior Republican's part to associate with Angle, whose strange behavior recently culminated in her desire for journalists to "report the news the way we want it to be reported" and broadcast her fundraising pleas; other highlights include her interest in "second-amendment remedies," which we believe are akin to death panels.
If Angle is too much for McConnell, who recently endorsed hearings to consider the repeal of the 14th Amendment, the taciturn Reid has every reason to smile.
-- Tim Fernholz