Harry Reid launches new ad touting Las Vegas veterans hospital

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s campaign today launched a new television ad focused on the construction of the new veterans hospital in Las Vegas—the funding for which he helped secure.

The ad fits into Reid’s strategy of seeking to convince voters his leadership position is critical for Nevada, a small western state with little other clout.

So far, Reid has spent a fair amount of time defending and building support for major pieces of legislation such as the stimulus and health care bill, which weren’t solely targeted at Nevada.

But political analysts say to be successful, he’ll have to point to very specific projects that voters have a tangible connection to—projects that, as analyst Jennifer Duffy with the Cook Report says, voters pass on their way to work.

While Republicans have spent millions demonizing the health care bill and stimulus, it’s a bit harder to attack a veterans hospital that will keep some Southern Nevada’s ill veterans from having to travel to California for care.