The Paulbots ripped the party apart and no one has really stepped up to the plate to try and fix it. There are NO viable candidates to run against Harry currently. The Lt Governor who was the chosen one is under indictment on some real BS charges from when he was Controller - clearly a Reid move to stop him from running. No newspaper or tv station will touch any Harry is dirty stories. The scandal with his land deal was delivered still born.
Harry has also raised a great deal of money already putting anyone at a disadvantage from the get go.
On the heels of your astute observations: Nevada sounds a little like Chicagoland. Apparently, the other folks I’ve exchanged notes with in NV are very optimistic.
Things can still change between now and 2010. I hope they do.