Chris Van Hollen

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in Washington D.C. earlier this month.: Getty Images Photo.LAS VEGAS-U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Searchlight) had harsh words for presumptive Republican nominee John McCain this morning following a comment made by McCain on NBC's "Today Show."

Asked by NBC's Matt Lauer if he had a better estimate for when troops could return from Iraq, McCain, a U.S. senator from Arizona, said: "No, but that's not too important."

DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and 3rd District congressional candidate Dina Titus.: Van Hollen and Titus held a press conference Thursday at a Las Vegas gas station. Politicker Photo.LAS VEGAS -- Democratic 3rd Congressional District candidate Dina Titus held a press conference today in front of a Shell gas station in which she blamed the rising cost of gasoline on the Bush administration and her opponent, U.S. Rep. Jon Porter (R-Nev.).

Citing gas prices that hit an average of $3.94 in the 3rd district today, Titus, joined by Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), said the way to reduce gas prices was through new legislation to prevent price gouging, repealing tax breaks for big oil companies and expanding development of renewable fuel sources.

"The people in this district are hurting because of the Jon Porter/George Bush agenda," said Titus. "It's hitting them in the pocket book and not just with the cost of gas."

LAS VEGAS-Nevada Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus said today that she has not committed to running against Republican Congressman Jon Porter in the 3rd Congressional District, but that she is "giving it very serious consideration."

Titus' comments followed a surprise announcement this morning that former Clark County chief deputy district attorney Robert Daskas was ending his bid in CD3, citing "family considerations."

Titus said she has been communicating "quite intensely" for days with both local and Washington Democrats about the race, but that she hadn't wanted to discuss it with reporters until Daskas announced his withdrawal.

"It's a big, life-changing decision," said Titus.

LAS VEGAS-On the heels of Robert Daskas' surprising announcement that he was ending his congressional campaign today, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's and the Nevada Democratic Party's chairmen, Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen and Sam Lieberman, have made it clear who they consider the best candidate to face Republican Congressman Jon Porter in the fall.

"Dina Titus would be an excellent candidate with unparalleled experience and support from people in Nevada's 3rd congressional district," said Van Hollen by e-mail. "Her vision, strength, and ability to get things done for Nevada would make her a powerful voice for change."

LAS VEGAS—Despite 3rd District congressional candidate Robert Daskas’ recent endorsement by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “Red to Blue” program, Andrew Martin, the other Democrat in the race, appears to have no intention of slipping quietly into that good night.  Instead, Martin has retooled his campaign, hiring a new campaign manager and consultants and now sending out a press release hitting Daskas for getting the coveted campaign program’s endorsement.

“Why are Washington D.C. political bosses picking Nevada’s next congressman?” Martin spokesperson Vin Gopal asked in the release.  “After numerous phone calls by Nevada Democratic congressional candidate Andrew Martin to DCCC chair Chris Van Hollen to discuss the congressional race in the 3rd District, there is still no response from Mr. Van Hollen.”

The wisdom of announcing that one of the major players in Democratic politics won’t return your phone calls aside, Martin’s press release may not accurately reflect the entire situation. 

Democratic candidate for the U.S. Congress Robert Daskas was in Washington D.C. last week, where he fundraised and rubbed shoulders with the Party elite, the Las Vegas Review Journal reports today.  read more »