Going into the weekend of October 7, 2016, Congressman Joe Heck was leading former Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez-Masto by a few points but definitely within the margin of error.
On Saturday, October 8th, Heck denounced Trump and withdrew his support based upon an eleven-year-old surreptitious recording Trump had with entertainment host Billy Bush aboard an Access Hollywood transportation bus.
Heck’s polling numbers went from slightly ahead of Cortez-Masto to slightly behind.
It was apparent that he was trying to separate himself from Trump and the controversies that have surrounded Trump through accusations made by the Democrats and the Clinton campaign. Whether the decision was his or a decision that was encouraged by his handlers, it is unclear. Either way the thinking was to avoid any negativity attached to Trump and his campaign.
However, the tactic backfired. Democrats said he backed Trump unequivocally and all of a sudden changed positions. The indication being that his heart was still with the Trump camp.
Many Republicans who were backing Heck and Trump immediately became disenchanted with Heck’s sudden change of mind. Nine out of ten calls that came into my show on the Monday after Heck’s announcement said they would not vote for Heck because of his decision.
I understand the upset that many people felt and probably still feel. However, electing Cortez-Masto to Harry Reid’s seat in the U.S. Senate will give us six more years of Harry Reid’s policies. She was Reid’s handpicked replacement. There is not one policy where she has differed from Reid’s positions on the issues. She will carry on the open border, gun restriction, broken healthcare system, high taxation, partisan directions that Harry Reid has promoted since he became the Democrat leader in the U.S. Senate.
During the October 14th Senate debate, she continually interrupted Heck and made accusations that he represented the Washington establishment. She said that she could jump right in and know what to do from day one. Yet, Joe Heck is the three-term congressman who has worked with both parties in the House and the Senate.
If you are happy with Harry Reid and what he has done to this country and want it to continue for the next six years, vote for Cortez-Masto.
If you are unhappy that Joe Heck pulled is support from Trump but you do not want higher taxes, more healthcare shenanigans, more restrictions on your right to bear arms and a Senator who would, in effect be Harry Reid in drag, you have to vote for Joe Heck. Let Heck know that you’re not happy with his abandonment of Trump. Criticize him if you’re so motivated. But think clearly about who you want as the junior U.S. Senator representing Nevada for the next six years…Harry Reid’s handpicked puppet or Dr. Joe Heck.
