Vol. 2, No. 23
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October 1, 2005
Nevada's Online State News Journal
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CRIMINAL DEFENSE |
COPYWRITING
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Governor's Race Going To Be Humdinger As Democrats Make Changes
Dems Trying To Consolidate In Anticipated Fight With Jim Gibbons In 2006
The Democratic Party Primary scheduled for August 2006 got just a little more in focus recently, particularly as it pertains to the race for the Governor's mansion. Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins pulled out of the race before he was even in it. He had not made his official announcement for the race and then to the consternation of his campaign workers, bailed.
In many polls over the last few months, potential voters often were unable to identify Perkins, either as a candidate, or even to what his job was. Many feel his lack of leadership during the 2005 Legislative Session also has been a factor in his co-announcement that he would not run for reelection to the Assembly from Henderson.
In the meantime Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus has picked up some support from a national organization dedicated to electing women that support pro-choice efforts. Known as EMILY's List (http://www.emilyslist.org) and calling themselves the largest grassroots political network and financial resource for women running for elective office, the group has come out in support of Titus.
"Dina Titus is an enormously effective state senator with a record of achievement that has improved the lives of all Nevadans," according to Ellen R. Malcolm, president of the political action group. According to the Federal Election Commission EMILY's List isn't associated with any political party but they primarily support democratic candidates. On the web site they are tireless in their disdain for President George W. Bush.
Titus said after finding out about the support, "I am proud to gain the support of the thousands of individual women and men who are members of EMILY's List." The latest numbers from the organization place their membership along the west coast at about 25,000.
Titus is expected to be in a fierce fight with Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson but many don't feel the abortion issue will have much of an effect on the outcome of the Primary, or on the General Election. While EMILY's List supports candidates who support pro-choice, in Nevada it appears that many of the major candidates from both parties are pro-choice. Titus's primary opponent Gibson says he is a Mormon and supports abortion only in the case of rape, incest, or to save the mother's life.
Republican Jim Gibbons supports a woman's right to abortion. Bob Beers describes himself as pro-life, but Lt. Governor Lorraine Hunt says she believes a woman has a right to choose. The major factor in being supported by EMILY's List is money that can be pumped into the campaign. The organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has members nation-wide.
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Gibbons in the meantime has introduced an amendment to national sex offender legislation that would incorporate much of the new Nevada law on the subject. Speaking of protecting children from sexual predators, the congressman said, "Our nation has a solemn responsibility to protect the most innocent among us."
The Nevada law Gibbons introduced requires convicted sex offenders to be in compliance with all registration requirements before they can be issued a driver license. That license must be renewed annually. With the amendment in place, Gibbons said, "Today's bill takes critical steps forward to protect our children from sexual predators by ensuring these heinous criminals are registered properly."
Gibbons pointed out that Nevada leads the nation in efforts to prevent sex crimes against children. The bill calls on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the feasibility and costs for all states to implement the Nevada driver license requirements.
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Congressional Races
The race to replace Jim Gibbons in the 2d Congressional District has taken another strange twist. Lame duck governor Kenny Guinn apparently doesn't have much support within the party, as he has called on his wife Dema to do a little political slashing instead of some political hack. Dema Guinn says that Dawn Gibbons cannot do both jobs of being a representative in congress and being first lady. Guinn seems to be under the impression that it is a wife's duty to handle household chores and that is all she should do.
(See Opinion Page this issue. Click Here.)
If a man said that, one of the kinder terms that would be used would be chauvinist pig. The governor is known to be supporting Secretary of State Dean Heller. Gibbons said she was surprised by Ms Guinn's comments. She said she expects to be able to handle congressional chores in Washington, and be the governor's wife.
"The people of Congressional District 2 have elected my husband five times," Gibbons said. "I have no doubt that one of the reasons they elect him is because he lives here and never loses track of his constituents." Gibbons reminded that when Heller announced for the congressional seat he said he would move his family to Washington for their permanent address.
Ms Guinn seemed to be under the impression that being first lady in Nevada is more important than being one of Nevada's congressional representatives, and that only the governor's wife is capable of running the governor's mansion. Gibbons replied to that by saying, "The war on terror, the growing problem of illegal immigration, the recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that allows cities to seize property under eminent domain, the growing national debt, massive spending by the federal government, taxes, educating our children, fixing Social Security, and taking care of seniors will be the issues that voters will use to decide who can best represent them in Congress."
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