Columnist Jeff German: Trump for president shakes up casino execs

Sunday, Oct. 10, 1999 | 10:35 a.m.

Jeff German is the Sun's senior investigative reporter. His column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Reach him at german@lasvegassun.com or 259-4067.

JUST THE thought of Donald Trump running for president has some casino executives cringing.

If you listen to the Rev. Tom Grey, one of gaming's biggest national critics, you'll get an idea why the brightest minds in the industry are reaching for aspirin, as "The Donald" contemplates his political future.

"It's the best thing that could happen to our movement," says Grey, executive director of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling. "It's not only going to draw attention to gambling, it's going to draw fire."

Trump, who operates casinos in Atlantic City, announced late last week that he was creating an exploratory committee to help him decide whether to take the presidential plunge. Then he met with Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, the Reform Party's highest elected leader.

Grey, an Illinois-based grassroots operative who has taken his case against gambling across the country, has long maintained that gambling is going to figure prominently in the 2000 presidential race. Republican candidates already are weighing in on the subject in South Carolina, an early primary state that votes next month on whether to remove thousands of video poker machines within its borders.

Having a casino owner in the presidential race would heighten awareness about gambling's social ills even more -- something the industry, already under national scrutiny, doesn't want.

"It's going to raise the profile," says one casino insider. "I don't think it's good for us. It'll drag out all of our dirty laundry."

Even Frank Fahrenkopf, chairman of the American Gaming Association, the industry's Washington lobby, acknowledges that Trump's presence in the race would up gaming's profile.

"If he were to seriously get involved in the race, the fact that he's an owner of casinos would become an issue," Fahrenkopf says.

Beyond that, there's also potential for Trump's candidacy to stir up negative feelings within the industry, where Trump has just as many enemies as friends.

Though Trump is big in Atlantic City, he never has been able to crack the Las Vegas market.

For years now, Trump has been feuding with Mirage Resorts Chairman Steve Wynn, the most recognizable casino mogul here. Trump won't even join the AGA's lobbying effort on Capitol Hill because Wynn helped put together the lobbying team.

Wynn has been a strong supporter of Texas Gov. George W. Bush, the Republican front-runner whose campaign already has been dogged by the gambling issue.

Earlier this year, Bush pleased GOP conservatives opposed to gambling, when he publicly criticized the industry in his home state. But he offended Republicans in Las Vegas, which has become a major source of campaign funds for both parties.

Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn and his high-powered political strategist, Sig Rogich, however, continue to back Bush despite his remarks.

Expect Vice President Al Gore, the Democratic front-runner in 2000, to remind Nevadans about Bush's comments during Monday's visit here to raise money for his campaign.

One person Gore won't have to remind is the Rev. Grey, who's itching to set his sights on Trump.

Democrat Ed Bernstein keeps inching closer to taking that "first step" into Nevada's 2000 Senate race.

Bernstein, a well-known personal injury lawyer, says he's now 95 percent sure he'll challenge former Rep. John Ensign, the GOP front-runner.

With no other candidates willing to run, Democrats are counting on Bernstein more than ever to go after the well-financed Ensign.

But he's keeping them waiting.

Bernstein has pushed back the timetable for announcing his decision so that he can consult with Gore on Monday.

Last weekend Bernstein got a taste of what life will be like in the major leagues of politics.

He got to chat with President Clinton during his Democratic fund-raiser Friday at the Paris Las Vegas hotel-casino. Then in California on Saturday, he hooked up with the president again at another political event at the home of Hollywood insider Rob Reiner.

Bernstein sat at the table of California Gov. Gray Davis during the festivities.