Harry Reid represented Nevada in the United States Senate for 30 years, including eight as majority leader from 2007 to 2015. He died of cancer in 2021 at the age of 82.
Reid grew up in a tiny town in Nevada, in a home that lacked running water. He worked nights as a Capitol policeman while in law school. He was a devout Mormon who personally opposed abortion and described himself as "generally opposed to the regulation of guns"—heretical positions in the Democratic Party. He was a centrist: just after getting to the Senate he backed the more conservative Al Gore instead of Michael Dukakis as his party's nominee for president.
Reid was known for brusque decency and a quiet sense of humour but little warmth or bonhomie. He was famous for ending phone conversations abruptly, without saying goodbye. Barack Obama praised his "pragmatism, adaptability and premium on getting things done." As a senator he was good at the traditional jobs of bringing money back to his home state and defending his constituents, including casinos and mines.
He also had a ruthless streak. "If he doesn't need you, he'll throw you out with the trash," said one rival. In 2012 he turned a tip about Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential candidate, paying too little tax into a rumour that he paid none for a decade, cementing the impression of Mr Romney as an out-of-touch plutocrat.
Reid was instrumental in passing the Affordable Care Act. Obama's signature achievement might not have passed without Reid's skilful negotiations and compromises while leading the Senate. He knew when to tell senators to his left that pushing for a government-run insurer was impractical and would kill the bill. Obama gave Reid's eulogy.
Backward conditioning: Putting saliva in a dog's mouth in an attempt to make a bell ring.