Columnist Jon Ralston: Reid, Ensign now buddy-buddy

Friday, Dec. 7, 2001 | 4:19 a.m.

MY DAUGHTER watches this goofy cartoon show called "CatDog," featuring this half-feline, half-canine creature. The premise is how entertaining it is to watch two natural enemies coexist in the same body, with their contrasting desires and outlooks often causing the drama (and inevitable happy ending) that makes for compelling viewing -- for a 6-year-old, at least.

I am reminded of my daughter's show as I think of our own political CatDog on Capitol Hill, the creature known as Harry Ensign that has managed not just to coexist after nearly one year but to thrive. As 2001 ends, Sens. Harry Reid and John Ensign have morphed into this single entity, forging a productive partnership that has dried up the saliva glands of pundits whose mouths were watering at the prospect of having these two mortal enemies together on Capitol Hill.

Gone are any vestiges of the two men who engaged in one of the closest Senate races in history in 1998, which Democrat Reid won by 428 votes and during which he sneered that as a veterinarian, Republican Ensign couldn't possibly know anything about the Constitution.

Now, they are one, they are indistinguishable, they are: Harry Ensign.

It was demonstrated again recently as they parroted each other on the Yucca Mountain audit, jointly lambasted the Department of Energy and signed the same letter (along with Reps. Shelley Berkley and Jim Gibbons) to President Bush asking him to postpone the dumpsite recommendation.

But that was merely emblematic. Whether it's on minor items such as the designation of a Mexican consul or the confirmation hearing of soon-to-be federal Judge Jim Mahan (and Ensign even has ceded some of his appointing authority to Reid) or on some pork coming the state's way, Harry Ensign has put out more joint releases in a year than Reid and his Democratic colleague Richard Bryan did in the eight years they were together. And contrast Harry Ensign with Gibbons and Berkley, who last put out a joint release on .... well, never.

Even when they are at odds, they are so damn pleasant about it. When I interviewed them together recently about the different partisan views on the economic stimulus package, they were positively fraternal. Ensign trotted out some practiced line he had undoubtedly shared with his other half about how "Harry and I are going to have our disagreements ..."

Conflict? Can't find it, so we have a pundit's nightmare become real. But has it been a dream for the state? Hard to argue otherwise, although the partisan frothing types surely are queasy over the arrival of Harry Ensign.

Whether it's been on the dump or the NCAA betting bill, the synergy has been obvious and potent. In fact, a few months ago, Ensign quietly working the Republicans and Reid whispering to the Democrats almost resulted in the NCAA wagering legislation being entombed in committee.

With Reid able to work the Democrats and Ensign to lobby his GOP colleagues, it won't matter who is in control of the Senate. And Reid's leadership position only makes the partnership stronger.

The natural question is: Can it last? As a vet, Ensign must realize that CatDogs can't live forever. And as the man who recently defined himself by his declaration, "I believe in vengeance," Reid must know that partisan imperatives will out.

Or will they? There is a real personal component to the relationship, observers say. It's hard to believe Ensign the Rookie actually trusts Reid the Ruthless. But this marriage of convenience could be convenient for some time to come -- for the senators and for the state.

The critical test will come not in Campaign '02, when Ensign will back the GOP contenders and Reid the Democratic contenders. Neither of them is on the ballot next year, so there should be few problems.

But what about the day after next year's balloting, when Reid's re-election campaign begins? The pressure on Ensign -- both at home and on Capitol Hill -- will be enormous to help the party recruit and fund a successor. Will Ensign seem co-opted or cooperative.

In "CatDog," the cat is the smart, cunning one and the dog is the slightly benighted but generally goodhearted one. I'll leave it to you to figure out which is which in Harry Ensign. But it will be up to the senators to show that they have the same kind of commitment to stay together (and have that same happy ending) as the cartoon creation.