If there's any lingering doubt that the Las Vegas Review-Journal -- and specifically publisher Sherman Frederick's columns and blogs -- are little more than a dumping ground for conservative misinformation, Frederick's latest attempt to smear Sen. Harry Reid should end the debate.

Frederick is playing guilt by association, linking Reid to discredited former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich because of a phone call the two shared on the subject of Illinois' open Senate seat. And in order to do so, Frederick reprints an entire email from the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Frederick says, “Republicans are licking their chops in hopes the wire-tapped conversation will make Reid look bad. Here's an e-mail from the GOP spin headquarters tee-ing up Reid for that day.” Frederick also says, “here's the GOP side of things. Enjoy.”

Let's stop right there.

The “GOP side of things”?? This is all just a GOP-driven baseless smear campaign against Reid. This isn't a he-said, she-said debate.

It is not news that Reid and Blagojevich spoke. Even the email Frederick reprints acknowledges this has been reported before.

So what's new?

Well, Blagojevich spoke to Fox News' Greta Van Susteren earlier this week and mentioned that he spoke to Reid.

That's it.

That prompted the GOP to put out a press release -- reprinted in its entirety by Frederick -- baselessly suggesting that Reid has done something wrong.

Frederick's continued smear campaign against Reid is embarrassing for the state of Nevada and for the profession of journalism.