Senate picks Reid as whip

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998 | 11:03 a.m.

Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, in an historic vote for the state, was elected today to the second most powerful leadership position among Senate Democrats on Capitol Hill.

This came as Reid's defeated Republican opponent in Nevada, Rep. John Ensign, moved to challenge the senator's narrow re-election.

Reid was named Democratic whip today, ranking him right behind Minority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota, who was re-elected during the closed-door session of the Senate's 45 Democrats.

The vote makes Reid the highest ranking Nevada senator ever and puts him in a position of influence on the issues most important to the state, such as those affecting high-level nuclear waste storage, transportation and the gaming industry.

Retiring Democratic Whip Wendell Ford of Kentucky told the Sun over the weekend that Reid's election will give Nevada a seat at the table in the nation's capital.

Reid, who ran unopposed for the whip position, echoed those words today in an interview.

"This will be tremendous for the state," he said. "We certainly have an opportunity to get things we never have had an opportunity to get before."

In a statement released after his election, Reid added: "As the fastest growing state in the nation, Nevada has had a head start on many of the challenges and some of the solutions to those challenges, which will face this nation in the next millennium ... I want to take the lessons I have learned from my constituents in Nevada and apply them on a national scale.

"I look forward to bringing some old fashioned Western common sense and negotiating skills to the table for the Senate Democrats."

Reid, who said he was "deeply honored" by his selection as whip, was nominated by his longtime friend, Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii and his nomination was seconded by Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota.

Daschle called Reid "one of the most effective legislators" he's ever worked with.

"He is a tough negotiator who can work easily with senators on both sides of the aisle," Daschle said. "We have served together in the House of Representatives and in the Senate, and I have been consistently impressed with his ability to enact legislation benefitting the citizens of Nevada.

"As Democratic whip, I know he will apply those same skills on the national level. Harry Reid is a trusted friend and a proven leader. He will make our leadership team even stronger."

Reid likewise praised Daschle.

"Under the leadership of Tom Daschle, the Senate Democrats are the most united and focused that they have been in years," Reid said. "Even though we are the minority, we have passed legislation and formulated an agenda, which focuses on the concerns of American families. We have held the Republicans' feet to the fire on issues like education, health care, IRS reform and crime."

Traditionally, the Senate whips serve as assistant floor leaders responsible for making sure party members vote along party lines. Whips also participate in all legislative negotiations between the two houses and in policy talks with the White House. Today, whips also play key roles in helping their parties raise campaign contributions and define their political agendas.

The new duties likely will give Reid a higher public profile and a chance to develop a national reputation.

Reid said he now will spend most of his time at the Capitol Building, where he will get a new office and about six more staffers. The senator also will keep his legislative office on the Hill.

A major staff reshuffling is under way in Reid's Washington and Nevada offices as a result of the senator's new leadership duties and the retirement of his longtime chief of staff, Reynaldo Martinez.

Reid said a recount in his close re-election in Nevada won't affect his stepped-up role in Washington.

Ensign announced Monday that he will ask for the recount in the race in which Reid won by only 401 votes. No recount has ever changed the outcome of a congressional election in Nevada.

Over the years, Reid has developed a close working relationship with Democrats and Republicans. He's a good friend of Vice President Al Gore and has become close to President Clinton. Most of the president's cabinet members campaigned for Reid this year.

Ford said Reid isn't flashy when conducting business on the Hill.

"He's not a show horse. He's a workhorse," Ford said. "That's why everybody likes Harry."

Reid said he knows he has "great responsibilities" for Nevada and the nation and that he's up to the task.

"If I had a talent that allowed me to get this job, it's that I can get along with people," he said.

Reid said he looks forward to renewing the fight against the high-level nuclear waste dump in Nevada while pursuing his party's national agenda.