U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy recently emailed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's supporters seeking contributions to help Reid win re-election in 2010 and indicating that Reid is already the target of the GOP in 2010, according to the email obtained by PolitickerMA.com.

Kennedy, a Hyannis Port Democrat, praises Reid in the email, saying he is grateful Reid is the majority leader. Republicans, Kennedy wrote, know Reid is pivotal to the Democrats' agenda and are already looking to unseat him in 2010 as they did to former Majority Leader Tom Daschle in 2004.

"Our GOP opponents understand Harry's role, and they're already looking for ways to undermine his leadership," Kennedy wrote. "He faces reelection in Nevada in 2010, and he's already being targeted for defeat. The next [Federal Election Commission] fundraising report will cover early contributions to 2010 candidates through this December and the GOP will use that report to decide whether they can beat Harry Reid."

Kennedy also noted Reid will play an important role in the fight for health care reform, Kennedy's top priority in the next session of Congress.

"When the battle for health care reform begins in January, we'll be counting on Harry Reid more than ever," he wrote. "I hope very much that we can count on your support for Harry now, when it counts the most."

In a statement to PolitickerMA.com, Kennedy echoed his remarks in the email. 

"Harry Reid does a tremendous job as majority leader and I'm proud to support him in any way I can," Kennedy said. "We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make enormous progress for the American people in the years ahead -- on job creation, on health care, on improving our environment, and on ending our dependence on foreign oil -- and we need Harry Reid's leadership in the Senate to accomplish these great goals."