Goodman for governor?

Erin Neff

Tuesday, May 2, 2000 | 11:05 a.m.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman was honored as the Outstanding Democrat of 1999 on Monday night.

But it wasn't really last year's out-of-the-blue ascendence to the mayor's office by the former Mob lawyer that many members of the Paradise Democratic Club were talking about.

Goodman, after just 10 months in public office, is already being touted as the Democrat's best hope for the Governor's Mansion in three years.

"I believe that Oscar Goodman can be governor of the state of Nevada if he chooses," said John Ponticello, president of the Paradise Democratic Club, in an interview after the awards ceremony. "He can beat Kenny Guinn."

Goodman was happy enough just complaining about the reception's lack of food and promoting his city's public services than to think, at least out loud, about higher office.

"I love being the mayor," he said, during a brief pause in working the Skyview Room at Bally's.

That's the response Ponticello and Nevada Democratic Party Chairman Rory Reid keep getting when they ask Goodman to consider running against Guinn in 2002.

"Part of my job is to recruit candidates for offices," Reid said. "Believe me, I'm talking to him."

As Goodman posed for pictures and jokingly ribbed Ponticello about the scant hors d'oeuvres to accompany his gin, he appeared more like the life of the party than seasoned pol.

In fact, that's much of his allure right now. Party faithful leaving the event all had similar words for Goodman.

"He's so funny," one woman said stepping into the elevator.

"Boy is it good to have him," said a union representative.

Goodman still seems enamored with his own past as a criminal defense attorney. He told the crowd about the two congratulatory calls he received the day after winning the mayor's race last June.

One came from the White House. The other, from Matty Baker, "a reputed heroin dealer offering his congratulations," Goodman said.

The story wasn't just meant to bring chuckles to the judges, elected officials and Democratic candidates for everything from North Las Vegas Justice of the Peace to U.S. Senate.

It was designed to highlight Goodman's theme: "Let's not forget from whence we came."

And it became apparent quickly when Goodman began his speech that his background has always been steeped in liberal social values.

"As Democrats, we are the people," Goodman said. "We're the people's representatives. It's so easy to be the fat party. It's so easy to be the politically correct party."

Reid, son of Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Goodman has "the whole package" he looks for in a successful candidate.

"He's got a magnetic personality, he's a proven fund-raiser, and when it comes to ideas, which all races do come down to, he's got wonderful ones," Reid said.

Although the mayor's position is non-partisan, Reid described Goodman to the crowd as a "real Democrat, not a weekend Democrat."

Goodman said he needs the non-partisan label to make it easier to form coalitions at the state Legislature since he will have to lobby both Republicans and Democrats during the session next year.