See “The paradox of Harry Reid’s position” at the LA Times. It’s not his tax and spend (and spend and spend) politics that I like. It’s the fact that, as a Mormon and highly visible Democratic leader of the U.S. Senate, he effectively dispels the stereotype that Mormons are all Republilcans who support conservative policies across the board (as well as the even sillier notion that LDS leaders somehow dictate required political views to the membership of the LDS Church). As with most other demographics, LDS views cover the entire spectrum. As a missionary in France, I knew Mormon socialists.

Here’s the article’s short summary of Reid and his politics.

Reid hails from a heavily rural state with a strong conservative bent. A teetotaling Mormon still wed to his high school girlfriend, Reid, 69, is a relative moderate compared with many fellow Democrats. He opposes legal abortion and most gun control measures, sponsored a constitutional amendment to ban flag-burning, and voted for both wars in Iraq. (He has since become a fierce critic of the second.) But his leadership role in Washington — mainly as one of President George W. Bush’s chief antagonists — cast Reid in a far more liberal light than his voting record might suggest.

Interestingly, that’s the only mention in the article of Reid’s LDS affiliation. Somehow the Mormon factor was generally a central and mildly negative item in the media’s coverage and discussion of Mitt Romney. It would seem like those who insist on making Mormonism a factor when dismissing Romney should be consistent and give Mormonism some credit when praising Reid (and I’m not thinking specifically of the linked article here). Or else just leave religion out of the discussion.

For a much more entertaining and personal account, go read “Faith, Family, and Public Service,” Harry Reid’s address delivered at BYU in 2007. Regardless of your politics, I’m sure the speech will give you a few reasons to like Reid.