Nevada politics get down and dirty


March 31, 1998

Desperate opponents, sensing certain defeat and embarrassment, will often resort to any means necessary-- no matter how low, dirty or cheap -- to avoid losing.
-- Nevada Republican Chairman John Mason

Making an 18-year-old choose a political party is not really a good idea. I did not identify with any party then; I don't now, either. But in order to really vote in the primary, you have to choose, and I became a Democrat because -- long story short -- the rest of my family is Republican, and I'm a smart ass.

But after getting a dose of Nevada politics, I can not tell you how thrilled I am that I registered as a Democrat. Quite frankly, it is embarrassing to be a Republican in this state right now.

For example, did you hear what happened at the Clark County Republican Convention last weekend? Apparently Aaron Russo's supporters, upset because of the way Kenny Guinn's supporters became delegates to the convention, started a near riot. A GOP leader ordered Russo to leave; Russo refused, and about 30 supporters formed a human shield around him to prevent security guards from reaching him. Once everything settled down, Kenny Guinn wussed out and decided not to speak because he was reportedly afraid for his safety. Now, that's the kind of courage we need to lead Nevada into the next century, eh?

Remember: These two men are the two front-runners for the Republican nomination for governor. Somewhere right now, Joe Neal, the Democratic front-runner, must have a sore stomach from laughing so hard.

Despite the fun and games from the gubernatorial candidates -- or, as one of my colleagues calls them, the "goobers" -- their shenanigans aren't what's really embarrassing Nevada Republicans. Many GOP voters I know are truly red-faced over the steps taken by the party leadership to get the so-called "Paycheck Protection Initiative" on the ballot. This initiative would make it illegal for unions to use dues for political contributions without written permission from each individual union member -- a gargantuan task for unions.

The GOP leadership really started being asinine in a fundraising letter sent out late last year, signed by state GOP Chairman John Mason, titled "Are Today's Big Labor Union Bosses the Mike Tysons of American Politics?"

Please note: the title alone compares union leaders -- most of whom are democratically elected leaders among their peers -- to a convicted rapist, wife abuser and ear biter. So much for respect and common courtesy.

The letter goes on to accuse unions of threats, intimidation, and about everything else except for AIDS and the UPN network. One union leader I know, quite appropriately, called it a hate letter.

Here's is what the letter was saying, with Mason's disrespect and hatred removed: Unions gave to Democrats in large amounts in 1996, and the we' re mad as hell. As a result, the we're be launching a petition drive to try and stop that. Oh, and send some dough to help. Thanks.

The GOP desire to launch such a petition drive is understandable, and these points could have been made in a polite, respectful way. Comparing labor leaders to rapists, on the other hand, shows a maturity level that would make Beavis and Butt-head proud.

And now, those leading the petition signature drive are instructing volunteers -- mostly, little old ladies who don't know better, from what I have seen -- to lie. Like many other people, I was approached recently on the way to a store and asked: "Would you like to sign a petition that would make it illegal for employers to withhold money from paychecks for political purposes without your permission or knowledge?"

Last I checked, most union members knew that their dues are used for political purposes, and they joined the union voluntarily. Oh, where is the mention of unions, by the way?

Rick Arnold, the CEO of National Voter Outreach (the company that the Republicans are paying to coordinate the petition drive) defended these tactics by saying he did not think they were misleading people, and that unions were engaging in even worse tactics to thwart their efforts.

I do not know about the union tactics, but I do know a lie when I see one. Sadly, so do many others, including embarrassed Republicans. Thus, I would like to give Mason, Arnold and the rest of the GOP leadership a word of honest advice: Knock off the crudeness and the lies. You're embarrassing the hell out of the people who you should be representing.

Jimmy Boegle is a fifth-generation Nevadan. His column appears here Tuesdays. 1