Anti-Abortion, "Personhood" Ballot Initiative May Energize Nevada Democrats

Las Vegas Sun: Anti-abortion bid may have unintended effect, by David McGrath Schwartz:

The biggest fans of social conservative Richard Ziser’s newly filed anti-abortion ballot initiative might be Nevada Democrats facing the ballot in 2010.

With the top of the party’s ticket likely to be the uncharismatic duo of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his son, gubernatorial candidate and Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid, political observers say an issue like abortion could mobilize the Democratic base.

“The top of the Democratic ticket right now doesn’t inspire a lot of enthusiasm,” said Erik Herzik, professor of political science at University of Nevada, Reno. “If you throw in a red meat issue like abortion rights, it will activate the progressives and the second-tier voters in a way they weren’t before.

“This is a gift to the Democratic Party.”