Reid played major role in decision of senator

Wednesday, May 23, 2001 | 11:04 a.m.

Nevada Sen. Harry Reid brokered the deal that is expected to allow Sen. James Jeffords, R-Vt., to abandon the Republican Party and become an independent, Capitol Hill sources said this morning.

The switch would give the Democrats a 50-49 majority and make Reid the assistant majority leader, the second most powerful person in the Senate.

Democrats were eagerly anticipating taking back control of the Senate, but they were being guarded this morning about the deal with Jeffords.

The Vermont Republican was scheduled to make the announcement today, but put it off until Thursday so that he could talk with his constituents.

"Nobody on our side is gloating and confident that this is a done deal," one source close to Reid told the Sun. "We think we put a pretty good offer on the table and that it's pretty attractive.

"But all of the resources and bargaining chips that are at the disposal of the White House and the Republican majority in Congress can't be underestimated."

If the Democrats were to hold the reins of the Senate, it would put a crimp in President Bush's legislative agenda.

Talks with Jeffords intensified in the past couple of weeks with Reid and Democratic Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota doing most of the negotiating, sources said.

The talks provided Reid, the current assistant Democratic leader, with a chance to showcase his skills at backroom dealing.

"This was Harry Reid at his best," one informed source said. "You close the doors and behind the scenes and there's no better dealmaker than Harry Reid.

"He understands what appeals to people. Nobody can can relate better with people on a personal level than him."

Reid's decision to allow Jeffords, instead of himself, to take over the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee was called the key to the deal.

"This is a way for Jeffords to continue to play an important role in the Senate, another source close to Reid said.

Reid, the source said, still will wield much influence over the committee with Jeffords at the helm.

"He still will be the senior member on the committee and will be able to direct its resources and mission," the source said.

The source said giving up the chairmanship of the panel was a small price to pay for Reid to become the No. 2 man in the Senate.

"As assistant majority leader, he'll be able to make sure that the interests of Nevadans will be better protected." the source said. "He'll be able to have an enormous amount of input in the Senate's agenda and schedule of what legislation is coming to the floor."

Casino industry lobbyists, fending off an array of attacks upon the industry in Washington, are delighted with Reid's rise to the top.

"It's a big plus to get him in the situation where he has even more power now," one veteran lobbyist said.

"I would think that anybody in the industry would be happy to see their No. 1 supporter gain an increase in power."