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Berkley takes leadership post

Wednesday, May 15, 2002 | 11:05 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., on Tuesday accepted a job in the House Democratic leadership structure that she says will raise her House profile and give her a better vantage point from which to help Nevada on issues ranging from gambling legislation to obtaining federal money.

House Democratic Whip Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., asked Berkley to be one of her at-large whips, and Berkley accepted, starting the new job effective immediately.

Pelosi's job is to track legislation and round up Democrats for votes. Several regional whips keep tabs on Democrats from different areas of the country, with roughly 50 at-large whips responsible for keeping tabs on four or five Democrats every week. It's not clear yet which lawmakers Berkley will be monitoring.

Berkley said the job gives her new clout. Berkley said her tireless efforts -- and the efforts of her staff -- to convince 103 Democrats to vote against the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump last week caught the eye of House leaders.

"After Yucca, my office clearly demonstrated that we were ready for prime time," Berkley said.

Pelosi spokeswoman Cindy Jimenez confirmed Pelosi tapped Berkley because of her efforts behind-the-scenes on the Yucca vote.

"She was relentless out there," Jimenez said.

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