Democratic Nomination Endgame in the Works?

I was very intrigued by a recent story concerning the remarks of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) about how the Democratic nomination battle will ultimately be resolved (The story can be found at <http://www.lvrj.com/news/16948521.html>).

The essence of the conversation he had with the Las Vegas Review Journal was as follows:

"Question: Do you still think the Democratic race can be resolved before the convention?

Reid: Easy.

Q: How is that?

Reid: It will be done.

Q: It just will?

Reid: Yep.

Q: Magically?

Reid: No, it will be done. I had a conversation with Governor Dean (Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean) today. Things are being done.

That's all the Nevada Democrat would say about it."

Now, Senator Reid is a VERY knowledgeable and canny political operator, and any smart observer will take particular note of the meta-message of this media exchange. He is a force to be reckoned with, and he doesn't talk about this stuff just to hear himself talk. There is something going on here. I don't know whether the particulars of the role Senator Reid is playing right now, or what he was talking about, will become publicly known anytime soon, or perhaps until well after the election. But he will be involved in the resolution--I guarantee it.

A bit of background on Senator Reid. His position as Senate Majority Leader is the most powerful in the Senate. He controls the Senate's debate agenda, and has a privileged status under the rules to receive priority recognition to speak and to engage in several parliamentary actions.

He was elected U.S. Senator in 1986, following two terms of service as a member of the U.S. House (elected 1982, re-elected 1984). He was elected Democratic Whip (Deputy Leader--2nd highest ranking position among Senate Democrats) in 1999, and became Democratic Leader in 2005 (minority leader until the Democrats won control of the Senate following the 2006 elections).

Reid was a competitive boxer in his youth, was formerly Lt. Governor of Nevada, and subsequently he was the head of the Nevada Gaming Commission. The commission is the ruling regulator over all things related to the casinos in the state. During his service, he took on the mob corruption that was infiltrating the casinos, and as a result, was the target of an ultimately unsuccessful mob assassination attempt via car bomb.

Needless to say, the guy has seen and experienced quite a bit in his life. As someone who has met the man a couple of times, I will say that his personality and demeanor belies his past. He's like a kind old uncle--a very genial man. But many have learned over the years---some the easy way, some the hard way--that he is not to be underestimated or recklessly opposed.