Pelosi pumps up Porter challenger’s campaign

Kirsten Searer

Thursday, Aug. 26, 2004 | 9:34 a.m.

It didn't take long Wednesday for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to don an anti-Yucca Mountain pin and paint incumbent Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., as a rubber stamp for the Republican party.

Pelosi stopped in town briefly to stump and raise money for Democratic congressional candidate Tom Gallagher.

"How blessed we are that he decided -- this man with so many choices in his life -- to run for Congress of the United States," she said to a crowd of about 60 seniors in Las Vegas.

Gallagher supporters harkened Pelosi's visit as a signal that national Democrats have taken notice of his campaign to unseat Porter.

But Republicans expressed little concern, saying they'll wait to see if national Democrats invest money into Gallagher's campaign -- or if the party will be content to let Gallagher, a millionaire, spend his own dough.

"Sure they're going to kiss up to him -- he's a cheap date," said Porter campaign consultant Mike Slanker. "They've got races in big cities and major media markets that are going to cost them millions of dollars. They don't even have to go dutch with this guy."

The district is almost evenly divided among Democrats and Republicans, with more than 52,000 registered non-partisan voters.

Pelosi, in the midst of a four-state tour of close congressional races, said she hoped to send a signal that the Democratic party is serious about Gallagher's race, though she said that congressional races are largely decided on "local affairs."

Gallagher's "independent spirit" is perfect for the district, Pelosi said.

"Unfortunately, that view is not shared by the current occupant of the seat," she said.

She referenced Porter's vote against giving returning troops a $1,500 stipend to help transition into civilian society.

"That was stunning," she said.

But Pelosi was most critical of the Nevada Republican delegation's inability to capture the ear of the White House or Republican leadership on the Yucca Mountain issue.

While Nevada Republicans have been complaining about the project, they have been ineffective in influencing leadership in the party, she said.

"They practically brushed aside the concerns the Republican Nevadans put forth," Pelosi said.

Gallagher, she said, could be a more forceful voice, such as Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., who Pelosi said has captured attention on the issue by talking to all members of Congress.

The Medicare prescription drug bill is in need of reform, she told the crowd of seniors, and Porter won't stand up to the Republican leadership to fight for the government's right to negotiate for better drug prices and create prescription drug cards that give seniors more flexibility.

"We know how to do it," she said. "It takes a person with a business sense. It can be better, and one of the people who will make it better will be Tom Gallagher."

The crowd was largely Gallagher supporters, including 78-year-old Denise Kelley, who stood up to rail against the Medicare prescription drug plan.

"Do they give a damn about the public or us seniors or the little children who need drugs, too?" she asked.

Later, Kelley said she is frustrated by watching friends struggle to pay for prescription drugs. The retired county government employee from Ohio said she feels lucky to have prescription drug coverage through her union, especially now that she is taking pills that cost $150 a month.

So far, Gallagher has given $300,000 of his own money to his campaign and has $545,000 in the bank. The latest campaign finance reports are set to be released at the end of the week.

For now, Porter has held on to most of his $1 million war chest.

"The only reason why this race is competitive is because Mr. Gallagher can spend money like a drunken sailor on leave," said Chris Paulitz, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Paulitz said that Porter has been an ardent opponent to Yucca Mountain in Washington, D.C.

"Obviously the administration would probably want a cheerleader on that, but he's an independent member," Paulitz said.

Porter is ready for a debate on prescription drug costs, Slanker said. Porter realized in 2002 that candidates have long made a political football out of prescription drug reform and the best way to get it done was to pass a bill and work out the problems.

"The congressman does believe that this is a great first step, but there's a lot more to do," Slanker said. "The days of using this just as a campaign issue and not doing something are finally behind us."

Gallagher said he has received increasing interest from national Democrats since he visited the Democratic caucus in Washington, D.C. in April. Top leaders see the seat as "one of their highest priorities," he said.