Letter: Bush campaign vows concern for Nevada problems

Thursday, March 30, 2000 | 9:29 a.m.

I was privileged to campaign with Bush in South Carolina. Readers of the Las Vegas Sun should be assured that I used this opportunity to speak with Bush about the nuclear waste issue. Your editorial headlines that Bush has kept silent on the nuclear waste issue. This is simply not true. Along with Gov. Kenny Guinn, I have personally discussed the dangers of shipping and storing nuclear waste in Nevada with the Texas governor. While you point out that Bush will rely on sound science, not politics, in deciding what to do with America's nuclear waste, you carelessly imply that he is ducking the issue.

Bush's promise to rely on sound science is no less an "empty promise devoid of specifics," as the Sun points out, than any position offered by Vice President Al Gore. As a matter of fact, Sun columnist Jon Ralston had this to say about Gore's nuclear waste position earlier this year: "Vice President Al Gore ... (says) the decisions on Yucca Mountain should be based on science, not politics. Yes, his rhetoric may be empty. But at least he has said something."

Nevadans can be assured that a Bush administration will ensure an open-door policy on each of the critical issues affecting our state.

CONGRESSMAN JIM GIBBONS