Columnist Jeff German: Miller displays double standard in McKinney-James endorsement

Thursday, Feb. 12, 1998 | 10:53 a.m.

WITH Gov. Bob Miller at her side, Las Vegas businesswoman Rose McKinney-James announced her candidacy for lieutenant governor this week.

At the moment, she's the only Democrat in the race, so it wasn't difficult for Miller to give his political protege a whopping endorsement three months before the close of the filing period.

Miller has furthered the career of McKinney-James since he took the reins of the state nearly a decade ago. He appointed her to the state Public Service Commission and later made her director of the Department of Business and Industry, a key cabinet post.

But while quick to back McKinney-James this time, Miller has failed to throw his support to the leading Democrat in the race to succeed him, state Sen. Joe Neal of North Las Vegas, who's trying to become Nevada's first black governor.

It leaves voters with the perception the governor has a double standard in making primary endorsements.

But more importantly, it illustrates once more the Democratic Party's inability to find someone to carry on Miller's legacy.

Neal, who has sparred frequently with Miller over the years, jumped into the race after Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa, Las Vegas Mayor Jan Laverty Jones, Assembly Speaker Joe Dini and Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus all decided against challenging the Republican front-runner, Kenny Guinn.

Miller likely would have endorsed any of the four mainstream Democrats above had they been brave enough to run against Guinn, who has amassed more than $2.5 million in his campaign war chest, much of it from the casino industry.

But stand behind the maverick Neal's candidacy? Not a chance.

In the eyes of Miller and other top Democrats, Neal has a reputation for being too confrontational. Even in this campaign, Neal plans to attack the political establishment.

It's a perfect strategy for the veteran lawmaker, an underdog for sure in the race. But it's not so great for the Democratic Party, which has the ultimate establishment candidate, Sen. Harry Reid, running for re-election against a tough Republican opponent.

Much of Neal's gameplan involves going after the casino industry, which has been kind to Miller over the years. Miller's top political adviser, Billy Vassiliadis, is a paid lobbyist for the Nevada Resort Association, the industry's influential political arm here.

This week, Vassiliadis, who engineered Miller's 1994 re-election, appeared to strengthen his position as a key strategist for Guinn, a close Miller friend.

On Wednesday, Guinn announced that he has hired Michael Getto as his campaign spokesman. From 1993-1995, Getto worked in Russia with R&R Advertising, which is owned by Vassiliadis. Miller's last campaign spokesman was Rob Powers, a former R&R employee.

Neal, meanwhile, says he's not bothered by Miller's lack of endorsement.

He knows that his push to force the casino industry to pay more taxes has upset the movers and shakers within his party.

"I would like to have it," Neal says of the Guv's backing. "But I don't expect him to come up to me and say, 'Neal, I'm going to endorse you."'

Neal says, however, that he's concerned Miller is coming out too early in support of McKinney-James, who wants to be the state's first black lieutenant governor.

"He should have waited to see who else is filing," Neal says. "This puts him in the same category of the gamers by coming out so early."

Miller, however, defends his endorsement of McKinney-James, saying she's an exception to the rule.

"She has always impressed me as the kind of person who without question will serve the public in the best way possible," he says. "Because I know her so well, I can without hesitation offer my endorsement at this time.

"In other races, I'm like everyone else. I want to see how candidates handle themselves and how they deal with important issues before voicing my opinion.

"To do otherwise this early in the year, would be a disservice."

Tell that to Neal, and you'll probably get a laugh.