CES offers chance for congressional recruiting

Erin Neff

Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2002 | 9:47 a.m.

Politicians flocking to this year's Consumer Electronics Show to view the nation's largest technology exhibition are also interested in Nevada's congressional races.

The Consumer Electronics Association -- which sponsors CES -- invites politicians to see the latest gadgets and meet technology executives each year at the convention in Las Vegas.

But with the slimmest of margins separating Republicans from Democrats in the House, some of the congressmen attending this year's show are as interested in the elections as they are in wireless advances.

Several of the congressmen attending, for example, have donated to local congressional candidates.

Adam Smith, D-Wash., gave Clark County Commission Chairman Dario Herrera $500 for his campaign.

"Adam's really active in the New Democrats movement, and if Dario has time that gels with his schedule, he'll try to make some time to talk to him," Smith's chief of staff, Alixandria Wade, said.

Smith is one of two Democrats who have confirmed they will attend CES. The dozen Republican lawmakers in attendance include Sen. Conrad Burns of Montana and nuclear advocate Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas.

Jerry Weller, R-Ill., already has met Republican congressional hopefuls Lynette Boggs McDonald and Jon Porter.

"He has given them both financial help in 2001," Ben Fallon, Weller's spokesman, said.

Since CES activities will keep the politicians busy, Weller does not plan to spend time this week raising money or meeting local candidates, Fallon added.

But Weller is committed to helping Porter in his race against Herrera for Nevada's new congressional seat and in helping Boggs McDonald in her campaign for Democrat Shelley Berkley's spot.

"He'll be back in the Las Vegas area in the future to help those two candidates more," Fallon said.

Boggs McDonald's campaign manager, Tim Mooney, said the Las Vegas councilwoman would be thrilled to meet any of the Republican congressmen coming to CES, although no concrete plans have been established.

Lisa Fasold, a spokeswoman for CEA, said more than 80 public officials, including all of the Federal Communications Commission members, will attend.

"In general it's a fairly big lobbying campaign," Fasold said. "They come to CES and get to meet executives of our industry and then they know who we are when we lobby them back in Washington."

Among the other congressmen attending are Darrell Issa, R-Calif., who is a former chairman of CEA, and William Jefferson, D-La., who as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee introduced legislation to promote tax breaks for the technology industry.

Lawmakers get private tours of the show, have a special suite in the Las Vegas Hilton for networking and will be treated to a reception and dinner Wednesday night at the Bellagio.

Wade said Smith thought CES was an eye-opener in 2001.

"Last year when he went, he was really taken aback by how valuable it was," Wade said. "He just felt it was a really good opportunity."

On Wednesday several congressmen will take part in a panel discussion, "Across the Virtual Aisle: Which Party is Best for Consumer Technology?"

Fasold said CEA's lobbying efforts include energy usage bills and tax code changes.

David Garman, assistant secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in the Department of Energy, is slated to attend CES. Show officials also think Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham might stop by on Tuesday, although he is not scheduled to speak.