Republican convention briefs for August 2, 2000

Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2000 | 10:45 a.m.

Nevada roll call is not aired

PHILADELPHIA -- Viewers watching Tuesday night for network news coverage of Nevada's roll call vote for George W. Bush at the Republican National Convention's didn't see it.

In order to showcase high-profile speakers during the limited network coverage of the convention, party organizers held the roll calls earlier in the evening.

Gov. Kenny Guinn took the microphone on the convention floor to represent Nevada's 17 delegates, saying he was proud his state's Republicans backed the Texas governor. He made a brief speech touting the state: its record growth rate, Lake Tahoe, silver production and the "electrifying" Las Vegas Strip.

Missing from the floor and missing her husband's moment in the spotlight was one of the delegates: Guinn's wife, Dema, who was at a reception for Nancy Reagan.

"He understands," said Dema Guinn, who years ago met Ronald Reagan, but not his wife.

Guinn also said she empathized with Monday night convention speaker Laura Bush. "I understand what that's like to be shy in that situation. I feel for her as a wife and a mother, from one first lady to another."

Rep. Jim Gibbons and his wife, Dawn, both delegates, also attended the Nancy Reagan reception. Dawn Gibbons, a Today show fan, reportedly gave a high-five to NBC-TV show host Katie Couric, who also was attending.

Ensign targeted in news report

The New York Times today ran a front-page story about how Republicans are collecting millions from relatively small corporations, despite rhetoric that the party is collecting mostly from individual donors.

In a roundup of odds and ends from the convention, the newspaper refers to Nevada's Republican candidate for Senate, John Ensign.

According to the Times: "But in elegant Rittenhouse Square, where lobbyists and politicians gathered yesterday afternoon, an eight-piece swing band drowned out the noise (of activists protesting corporate evils), and white tents ensured that the business of business could carry on uninterrupted. 'None of you can vote for me,' a Senate candidate from Nevada announced to the crowd during a break in the music, 'but your checks will surely be welcomed.' "

Ensign is attending two fund-raisers this week estimated to net between $50,000 and $60,000 from prominent lobbyists and businessmen.

Gibbons attends awards ceremony

Nevada's Republicans have been mixing with several celebrities at party functions this week. Gibbons was one of six members of Congress -- the only male -- to attend a Lifetime cable television channel ceremony to honor a distinguished female politician, bestowed on Elizabeth Dole, who later spoke at the convention.

Dole good-naturedly congratulated Gibbons for his "courage" in responding to an invitation sent out mostly to women, Gibbons' chief-of-staff Michael Dayton said.

Woodbury takes in the sights

Clark County Commissioner and Nevada delegate Bruce Woodbury is taking in some sights. The New York Yankees fan visited Amish country Tuesday and planned to attend his first baseball game in Yankee Stadium today.

"More important than Bush winning is the Yankees winning," Woodbury joked.

This is Woodbury's third Republican convention in a row.

"Hopefully, we'll have a winner this time," he said.

Attendees dislike traffic, weather

Hot, humid and sometimes rainy weather, as well as traffic tie-ups, in Philadelphia this week have given convention attendees something to complain about during an event that has gone relatively smoothly thus far.

House candidate Jon Porter, facing off against incumbent Democrat Shelley Berkley, got a taste of both hot weather and traffic on Monday.

He left the First Union Center, home of the convention, for lunch and got stuck in a cab trying to get back. Porter, his wife, Laurie, and campaign manager Josh Griffin ended up walking roughly a half mile from the stuck taxi.

"I learned a lesson," Porter said upon arriving back at the center, promptly removing his suit jacket. "Don't leave."