Berkley’s speech focuses on hot voter topics

Benjamin Grove

Friday, Aug. 18, 2000 | 10:49 a.m.

LOS ANGELES -- Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said Republicans don't bother her when they consistently label her as one of the most vulnerable Democratic candidates in the nation.

"I don't want anyone to become complacent," Berkley said. "I always campaign as if I'm 10 points behind. We have a tough row to hoe."

But for the record, Berkley said, the Wall Street Journal recently left her off its 12 Most Vulnerable list.

Berkley, nearing the end of her freshman term representing Las Vegas in the U.S. House, was here for the four-day Democratic National Convention as a delegate -- and candidate. She hopes a traditional bounce for Democratic candidates following the national convention will put her campaign a safe distance from closest challenger, Republican state Sen. Jon Porter.

This week she sounded off in interviews and in a convention floor speech on the topics she says resonate most with voters.

While Berkley was in Los Angeles this week, Porter was fund-raising and campaigning at nine different events in Las Vegas. He pointed to a three-week old National Republican Congressional Committee poll that had Berkley leading 41 percent to 30 percent.

"The gap is shrinking and on Election Day the public is going to choose Jon Porter," Porter said. "I believe we are going to win."

Berkley aides discount any polls that show noticeable closing of the gap between the candidates. But they aren't taking any chances: Berkley was given a slot on stage to speak at the convention and even offered a coveted spot near the podium Thursday night for Al Gore's speech -- a Democratic Party effort to offer her a little more exposure.

Berkley's Democratic colleagues predictably sing her praises. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., called Berkley an "excellent legislator" even as a House freshman. And Reid's son Rory Reid, Nevada Democratic Party chairman, this week introduced her to the convention hall as the "hardest working woman in Washington."

"She just has to stand on her record," Rory Reid said. "She needs to talk about her effort on the nuclear waste issue, protecting social security and delivering for her district."

UNLV political science professor Ted Jelen called Berkley's lead "comfortable."

Jelen said Porter needs to move quickly with an aggressive advertising campaign if he wants to make up significant ground on issues.

"It's getting to the point where it's getting late," Jelen said. "We're about to drown in information. If a particular candidate wants to articulate a particular message, now is the time."