Not on ballot, Reid, Ensign are keeping watch

Benjamin Grove

Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2002 | 11:09 a.m.

Nevada's senators -- Democrat Harry Reid and Republican John Ensign -- are nervously eyeing exit polls as Election Day unfolds with control of the Senate at stake. Both have given money to Senate candidates in key races and are closely watching at least 10 contests that are said to be toss-ups.

Among them is a battle for the seat of Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., who died in an Oct. 25 plane crash. As Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura on Monday was announcing that he was naming fellow Independence Party member Dean Barkley to temporarily fill Wellstone's seat, Reid was nearby.

Reid had made a last-minute trip back to Minnesota -- where Reid attended Wellstone's memorial service last week -- to help former Vice President Walter Mondale campaign for Wellstone's seat.

Reid appeared with actress Jessica Lange and former senator and Vietnam veteran Bob Kerry at a midafternoon event for Mondale at the Minnesota Capitol. Reid said Mondale would take office with a big soapbox and good committee assignments, though Reid didn't specify.

Barkley, spoke to Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., by cell phone Monday. The two discussed the issue of bottled-up judicial nominations that Republicans are eager to approve, possibly in the lame-duck session this month. Barkley said he was willing to meet with Lott this week.

Later Reid said Democrats would do "everything we can" to work with Barkley.

Reid, the No. 2 Senate Democrat and influential leader, has much to lose if Democrats forfeit their edge in the Senate. As majority whip, Reid controls much of the action on the Senate floor. He and Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., control the Senate agenda. Reid has hoped to maintain control of key committee leadership positions that help him funnel money to the state.

In the more immediate future, Ventura's announcement could affect the lame-duck session scheduled to begin next week. Ventura technically tipped the immediate balance of the Senate away from the Democrats, who held a one-seat lead.

The Senate now is split with 49 Democrats, 49 Republicans and two Independents. It likely would remain that way through the lame-duck session unless former Republican Rep. Jim Talent unseats Democrat Sen. Jean Carnahan. In that case, Talent could be sworn in immediately under Missouri law. In most states, senators must wait until the new Congress starts -- in January -- to begin their term.

Among Talent's supporters is Ensign. Talent was among those who benefited from a Las Vegas golf fund-raising event organized by the Nevada senator. Talent received $1,000, and Ensign is closely monitoring his race.

"It's still within the margin of error," Ensign said of the Talent race, "but we've been three or four points ahead for the last few days, so I think that's our best chance for a pick-up."

Ensign said Congress would function much more efficiently with Republicans in control of both the House and Senate.

In a number of races -- in North Carolina, Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota and Texas -- Reid's political action committee gave money to one candidate and Ensign's PAC donated to the other.