Pro-impeachment constituents call in to Nevada delegation

Tuesday, Dec. 15, 1998 | 1:45 a.m.

The offices of Nevada's two House members have been swamped with calls from constituents weighing in on this week's impeachment vote against President Clinton.

Aides to Reps. Jim Gibbons and John Ensign, both R-Nev., said the calls are going 3-1 in favor of impeachment. Clinton carried Nevada in his two presidential races.

Both House members, who have been critical of Clinton's conduct, have yet to decide which way they'll vote when the House considers four articles of impeachment against the president later in the week.

Mike Dayton, chief of staff for Gibbons, said his boss plans to wait until after Republicans receive a briefing from Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde of Illinois on Wednesday night before making up his mind. The House takes up the impeachment on Thursday.

"He's not rushing to judgment on this," Dayton said. "He doesn't want this to be a political decision. He wants it to be a legal decision."

Dayton said Gibbons received 1,800 e-mails at his Washington office from constituents over the weekend and is averaging 300 to 400 a day. He also is getting about 1,000 calls a day at his offices in Nevada and Washington.

Ensign press secretary Jack Finn said Ensign has been averaging about 200 calls a day.

Those calling Ensign, however, have had a more difficult time getting through because his offices have been shut down. Ensign ran for the Senate this year and lost by 428 votes to Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.

A recording on Ensign's Las Vegas phone said his office is closed because of the election but is taking messages on impeachment.

Finn said Ensign was flying to Washington today to prepare for Thursday's impeachment debate.

Meanwhile, Rep.-elect Shelley Berkley, Ensign's successor in Democratic-dominated 1st Congressional District, took sides in the impeachment battle today.

Berkley does not have a vote, but she said if she had one she would vote against impeachment.

"I think the public is very divided on this issue," Berkley said. I believe he did not tell the truth, but I do not believe his behavior rises to an impeachable offense. I would support something less than impeachment."

But Berkley added: "This should not be taken as an indication that I'm an apologist for his behavior. Throughout my campaign, I have been very hard on President Clinton. His behavior defies logic. It is reprehensible, reckless and stupid beyond comprehension."

Berkley, however, said the impeachment process is paralyzing Washington.

"It has become increasingly apparent to me that as long as a cloud of impeachment hovers over the capital, no work can be done and no meaningful legislation can be passed."

Berkley said she's anxious to get to work on the issues most important to her constituents -- saving the Social Security system, providing quality education for children, passing a patients' bill of rights and pushing for campaign-finance reform.