coalition that could get something like the affordable care act through the u.s. senate. and he had the enormous loyalty of members of the democratic caucus. member congressional leaders have small constituencies. 50 or 60 of the senators from their own party and with them, harry reid was really seen as a beloved figure. as somebody whose flaws were viewed with some affection and humor and he was seen as really effective at getting things done. i remember that 2010 campaign. i was covering that as well. i asked him was he worried about losing to sharon engel, he laughed at me. just sort of hilariously blew off this challenge and he was able to marshall those unions, those hospitality unions in las vegas to his benefit and he was able to win pretty handily in