U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid told Carson City Democrats on Saturday that he needed their help replacing Republicans in Washington, D.C.
"The Republicans in the United States Senate do not represent mainstream Republicans in this country. They are so far to the right ... we need your help to elect Democrats," Reid said.
Reid was in Northern Nevada speaking at Democratic county conventions in Carson City, Douglas County and Reno.
"Harry Reid is the reason Nevada has so much clout and visibility," said Nevada State Democratic Party Chairman Sam Lieberman, who was in town from Las Vegas to introduce Reid. "We thank you for all your work on health care."
Reid reminded Democrats that under the Clinton administration, America had the "most successful economy in the country, and we in Nevada felt that."
Then, he said, "along comes George Bush," creating a war that cost the country $1 trillion in borrowed money.
That, along with a slew of other mistakes, left the country in bad shape, Reid said.
"That was the hole he dug for us and President Obama," he said.
During the last two months alone of the Bush administration, 1.5 million jobs were lost, he said.
"No state felt that more than Nevada," Reid said. "So when Obama came into office, this is what we had. People tend to forget where we were."
Reid also talked about some of the legislation that has been passed - such as job creation - to help the economy recover.
"We passed a recovery package ... has it done enough? Of course not," he said, but many critical issues are now being addressed such as flaws in the credit card industry and mortgage fraud.
"We're doing everything we can to get out of this," he said.
Reid also spoke about the determination that went into health care reform.
"The most important thing we've done for the country and the world is health care," he said.
Reid said that the 24,000 small businesses in Nevada will benefit from affordable health care and that funds will be made available nationally to train 20,000 health care workers and build 10,000 community health centers.
"I want everyone in America to know that you can accomplish anything (in the country)," Reid said, talking about his humble roots in Searchlight.
He said it doesn't matter what your mother does, what your father does or your education or social status.
"And if anyone doubts that, tell them to come and see me," he said.
About 75 people attended the Saturday convention.