Bernstein focuses on nuke waste issues, health care

Jeffrey Libby

Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000 | 10:14 a.m.

When the Teleprompter temporarily went blank at the start of U.S. Senate candidate Ed Bernstein's speech at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles last week, he focused on the home delegation and kept faith.

"All I saw -- I wasn't even nervous, I didn't see the other 20,000 people -- was our Nevada delegation," Bernstein told host Mark Shaffer Tuesday during the Sun's news discussion show "POV Vegas," which airs on Las Vegas One, Cox cable channels 1 and 39.

For Bernstein, a personal-injury lawyer in the first major political race of his life, party loyalty is a theme that grounds the central issues of his campaign. Though trailing heavily in the polls, Bernstein says that by pointing out the differences between parties he has a good chance of bridging the gap.

Bernstein hopes to succeed Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., who announced last spring that he would not seek re-election to a third term.

Bernstein's presumptive opponent is former Republican Rep. John Ensign, who will most likely get the nod at the GOP primary on Sept. 5. Ensign is running against two relative unknowns. Bernstein drew no opposition in the Sept. 5 primary.

"President Clinton told me a few weeks ago, Ed, if you talk about the differences, you'll win the campaign," Bernstein said.

The differences between the political parties, according to Bernstein, are clear in the issues he cares about most -- affordable health care and the storage of nuclear waste.

"The Republicans are suddenly talking about health care even as they side with the drug companies and HMOs," Bernstein said.

By contrast, Bernstein said he has been fighting for underdogs through his law practice for more than 20 years.

As a senator, Bernstein said he would fight for drug benefits for all senior citizens. He said he would vote in favor of legislation that would give doctors and patients more power in making medical decisions and take power from insurance companies and HMOs. He also reiterated his opposition to laws that prohibit the importation of cheaper prescription drugs. He said equivalent drugs can be purchased in Mexico for a sixth of American prices.

Bernstein defined the proposed storage of industrial nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain as another partisan issue.

"Any time you elect another Republican senator, it's another vote for (Senate Majority Leader) Trent Lott and for sending nuclear waste to Nevada," Bernstein said.

Bernstein told Shaffer he expects strong union support in the November vote.

"I'm the voice speaking on behalf of these people who can't afford to have their lives dictated by the special interests in the insurance and pharmaceutical industries," Bernstein said.