Hammargren approached about switching parties

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 1997 | 11:04 a.m.

and Jeff German

Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren has been approached about switching to the Democratic Party so Gov. Bob Miller could become Mexico ambassador without handing his office to a Republican.

Democratic operatives recently asked Hammargren associates whether the lieutenant governor would change party affiliations, and those people discussed the issue with Hammargren, a ranking Democrat said.

Hammargren acknowledged that someone not with the Democratic Party approached him, but he insisted Monday that he won't switch.

"It's flattering to be asked to switch parties," Hammargren said, "but I don't think that's a consideration."

National news stories have fueled speculation that President Clinton may name Miller to replace William Weld, whose nomination was bottled up in committee by Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C.

Miller, who recently traveled with Clinton to Mexico on a presidential summit, is seen as a possible replacement because of his close ties to the president.

But a White House official Monday denied that Miller has been singled out.

Assistant press secretary Eric Rubin said Democrats on Capitol Hill have floated Miller's name, not Clinton.

"He could be the choice someday, but by no means have we settled on him or anyone else," Rubin said. "There is no short list."

Clinton will conduct "a thorough process" to find a replacement for Weld, but "at this point the process has not begun again," Rubin added.

Miller said Clinton hasn't offered him the job, but at a news conference Monday on a different topic, the governor seemed upbeat when reporters began asking about the Mexico ambassadorship.

"Any time any president asks me to do anything, I would consider it," he said.

During trade missions to Mexico, Miller has established ties with Mexican officials, and Miller's son, Ross, now a student at Stanford University, attended college-level courses in Mexico at Monterrey Tech.

Asked if he spoke Spanish, Miller said no, but he added that the former Mexico ambassador didn't either.

Miller Press Secretary Richard Urey noted that the governor opposes the use of marijuana for medical purposes. That issue contributed to Weld's troubles with Helms. Weld has said some patients should be allowed to use marijuana.

Miller would not comment on the criticism he could face from some Democrats for leaving the office in Hammargren's hands. Miller's term expires in January 1998. He is prohibited by law from running for a third full term.

Miller said his predecessor, Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., left the governor's office early, clearing the way for Miller to serve as acting governor.

Hammargren made light of the prospect that Miller's chances could be undermined because the lieutenant governor is a Republican. Hammargren said he would switch to the Democratic Party if Clinton would send him to Mexico instead of Miller.

"If Miller doesn't want to go, I'd be glad to go as his substitute," Hammargren said.

Nevada Republican Party Chairman John Mason, meanwhile, said he doesn't believe Miller should abandon the state.

"He was elected to serve four years, and anything less than that is not what the people expect," Mason said.

Mason added that Hammargren would be an excellent governor.

"I think Lonnie is a brilliant man who has all of the best motives," Mason said. "He has done a lot of good things in his time as lieutenant governor."

Sig Rogich, a Republican political consultant close to Miller, said if the president calls Miller, he should seriously consider the post.

"If he asked me for advice about it, I would tell him to do what's in the best interest of the country and the state," said Rogich, who served in the Bush White House.

Having Miller in Mexico would be very good for the state's tourism industry, he said.