How a journalist's rocky relationship with Harry Reid led to a book on the senator's life

Key Concepts

• Harry Reid: Late Senate Majority Leader, central figure of the book and interview.
• John Ralston: Author of "The Game Changer," the book detailing Harry Reid’s life and career.
• Senate Rules & Decorum: Traditional guidelines governing Senate proceedings, which Reid was willing to bend or break.
• Political Strategy & Tactics: Reid’s pragmatic and often ruthless approach to achieving political goals.
• Institutionalism vs. Pragmatism: The tension between upholding Senate traditions and achieving desired outcomes.
• Landra Reid: Harry Reid’s wife, described as fiercely protective of her family.
• Obamacare (Affordable Care Act): Major legislation heavily influenced by Reid’s leadership.

The Game Changer: A Deep Dive into Harry Reid’s Legacy

This conversation centers on John Ralston’s new book, “The Game Changer: How Harry Reid Remade the Rules and Showed Democrats How to Fight,” and explores the complex legacy of the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. The discussion delves into Ralston’s unusual access to Reid’s private papers and the tumultuous relationship he had with the Senator.

A Contentious Relationship & Unexpected Access

Ralston details a long and often adversarial relationship with Reid, marked by attempts to get him fired from TV jobs – ironically, initially facilitated by Reid’s friend Jim Rogers, a media mogul. Rogers initially hired Ralston, but later attempted to dismiss him at Reid’s behest. Ralston recounts a situation where he was fired for an afternoon, only to persuade Rogers to reinstate him before the show aired. Later, after Rogers’ death and Sinclair’s acquisition of the station, Reid again pressured for Ralston’s removal, as evidenced by emails Ralston obtained.

Despite this history, Reid ultimately granted Ralston exclusive access to his private papers and authorized him to write the definitive biography. Ralston attributes this to a shared sense of “survival,” a sentiment Reid expressed during a meeting at his office in the Bellagio casino in Las Vegas. Reid stated, “You and I have something in common. We’re both survivors.” Ralston deliberately refrained from a defensive retort, prioritizing the opportunity to write the book. He notes Reid’s pragmatic nature, suggesting he compartmentalized their personal conflicts as “just business.”

Emotional Conflict & Professional Detachment

Ralston acknowledges the emotional conflict inherent in being granted access by someone who had actively tried to sabotage his career. However, he asserts that his eagerness to write the book allowed him to adopt a similar level of professional detachment, mirroring Reid’s own ability to separate personal feelings from political objectives. He observed that Reid had previously made overtures indicating his indifference to Ralston’s writing about him, as long as it didn’t involve his family – a concern primarily driven by his wife, Landra Reid.

Reid’s Impact on the Senate & American Politics

Ralston argues that Harry Reid is a pivotal figure in 21st-century American politics. He emphasizes Reid’s significant role in the passage of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), suggesting it would not have succeeded without his leadership. However, Ralston also contends that Reid contributed to the increasing dysfunction within the Senate.

He highlights Reid’s willingness to disregard traditional Senate rules and decorum, making statements on the Senate floor that would have been previously considered unacceptable. Ralston describes this as a duality within Reid – a deep understanding of Senate procedures coupled with a willingness to break them to achieve his goals. Examples cited include attacks on Mitt Romney regarding his tax returns and criticisms of the Koch brothers, both delivered on the Senate floor. This willingness to “say anything at any time” fundamentally altered the political landscape.

Reid’s Legacy in Nevada

Ralston asserts that Reid is the most powerful elected official in Nevada history, having done more for the state than anyone before him. While acknowledging potential competitors, he emphasizes Reid’s lasting impact on Nevada’s development and political standing.

Reid’s Pragmatic Approach & “Not Personal” Philosophy

Ralston repeatedly emphasizes Reid’s pragmatic and often ruthless approach to politics. He attributes this to a mindset reminiscent of “The Godfather” movies – prioritizing outcomes over personal feelings. Reid’s interactions were often abrupt, characterized by hanging up on people after initial conversations and immediately focusing on logistical details. He never imposed preconditions for the book, demonstrating a similar focus on achieving the desired outcome (the book being written) rather than controlling its content.

Notable Quotes

• Harry Reid: “You and I have something in common. We’re both survivors.” – Expressing a shared resilience and justifying his decision to grant Ralston access to his papers.
• John Ralston: “I don’t think Obamacare would have passed without Harry Reid doing what he did.” – Highlighting Reid’s crucial role in the passage of the Affordable Care Act.
• John Ralston: “He was willing to say anything at any time…and he did.” – Describing Reid’s willingness to break with Senate tradition and engage in aggressive political tactics.

Synthesis & Conclusion

Ralston’s book, as presented in this conversation, paints a portrait of Harry Reid as a complex and contradictory figure. He was a master of Senate procedure who was willing to dismantle those procedures when necessary, a pragmatic politician who prioritized results above all else, and a fiercely protective family man. His legacy is one of significant accomplishment, but also of contributing to the increasing polarization and dysfunction within the Senate. The book promises a nuanced and revealing look at a man who fundamentally reshaped the rules of the game in Washington and left an indelible mark on American politics and the state of Nevada.