Editorial: Will he put to use his ‘great credentials’?

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2002 | 9:06 a.m.

On Tuesday state Sen. Ray Shaffer, a Democrat from North Las Vegas, switched parties and became a Republican. But Shaffer's defection, which gives the Republicans a 13-8 majority in the Senate, won't cause too much impact since the GOP already had a comfortable cushion. Still, Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, welcomed Shaffer aboard, saying he has "good experience and great credentials."

But Shaffer's credentials are paper thin -- he really hasn't recorded any noteworthy accomplishments during his 19 years in the Legislature. And when he has distinguished himself, it usually has been for all the wrong reasons. For instance, he routinely is near the top of the list of legislators who receive free food and drink from lobbyists. And don't forget that Shaffer also lost his bid to be state treasurer in 1990, a campaign highlighted by a thoughtless, insensitive remark he made about his Republican opponent, Bob Seale. After Seale sustained serious injuries in a plane crash, which also killed his wife, Shaffer said Seale's popularity was due to sympathy votes. A lack of tact can be added to Shaffer's other shortcomings.

Hmmm. By the look of things, even though Democrats have lost a vote in the Senate, they actually might end up gaining by Shaffer's departure.