Nevada GOP Senate candidate tries to pin a Harry Reid campaign button on rival

The U.S. Senate primary in Nevada has become something of a test of a ideological purity as Republicans scramble for the chance to run against four-term Democratic incumbent Harry Reid. As Senate Majority Leader, he played a key role in passing the Obama administration’s health care plan, and that has made him a major target of the right.

Trouble is, Reid has been a force in Silver State politics for a long time. His career stretches back to 1968, with stints in the State Assembly, as Lieutenant Governor and Congressman, plus five years on the powerful Nevada Gaming Commission. So even those who would oust him now may have backed him or needed his help in the past.

Reid’s old campaign contribution lists have fueled the latest attack, with University of Nevada basketball star Danny Tarkanian questioning the conservative bona fides of rival Sue Lowden, a casino executive and former GOP state chairwoman.

Check out the results when we applied the Truth-o-meter to Tarkanian’s claim.