Ensign points to potential fallout for GOP

Friday, Jan. 11, 2002 | 9:29 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., says Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham's decision to recommend Yucca Mountain as the nation's nuclear waste repository could hurt the GOP's chances in the state's two contested congressional races.

State Sen. Jon Porter, R-Henderson, is running against Democratic Clark County Commissioner Dario Herrera to represent Nevada's newly created 3rd Congressional District. Las Vegas City Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald, a Republican, is challenging incumbent Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., in the 1st Congressional District.

The state's Democratic Party also was quick to act Thursday, issuing a news release pointing out that pro-Yucca Republicans have been raising money for local GOP candidates.

The Democrats said House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., was in Las Vegas in August to raise money for Porter and Boggs McDonald. And House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, is due Jan. 17 for another fund-raiser. Both Hastert and Armey support the Yucca project.

And though some concern over the issue hurting Republicans in Nevada may well exist, Abraham's decision could help the GOP in states where residents would be happy to rid themselves of high-level nuclear waste.

Porter said Bush's decision may impact his race, though he is quick to point out that during the recent legislative session he voted for a resolution opposing the project. He said he also supported a $4 million appropriation by the state to fight designation of the area as a site for a nuclear repository.

"I've been fighting against the dump longer than a lot of people who have lived here," Porter said, adding that he has displayed his opposition of the site for more than 10 years.

"Shame on any politician that tries to divide our state," he said.

"I'm disappointed in Spencer Abraham, and I would be disappointed if President Bush goes along," with the recommendation.

Boggs McDonald, however, said she did not think Abraham's decision would hurt or help her campaign.

"Even at the limited role we play on the Las Vegas City Council level, I've been very supportive of every resolution opposing Yucca Mountain and on every decision to divert money to the state to help fight it," Boggs McDonald said.

She said the decision transcends politics, as both Democrats and Republicans in Congress have supported Yucca.

Although Abraham is a part of a Republican administration, Boggs McDonald said the decision probably was inevitable.

"It was pushed by a Republican administration and then by a Democratic administration, and now we're back in a Republican administration," she said.

"I think (Clinton's Energy Secretary) Hazel O'Leary would have made as enthusiastic a decision to recommend Yucca Mountain."

The Democrats' news release also said the timing of the announcement was a "Machiavellian" move by Karl Rove, a top Bush aide. The party said Rove wants to get the issue out of the way early in Bush's term "to blunt its effect on the president's chances to carry Nevada's five electoral votes in 2004."

While the Democratic Party has raised Yucca Mountain as a political issue, elected officials -- Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Ensign, for example -- have stood together.

What's more, Ensign said he wants to talk to the president regarding the answered scientific questions involving Yucca, the escalating cost of the project and the political ramifications of Abraham's decision.

Gov. Kenny Guinn, a Republican, and Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa, a Democrat, have worked closely in devising the strategy for a legal fight.

Sun reporter Erin Neff contributed to this story.