Where I Stand — Columnist Brian Greenspun: Advice from the enemy

Friday, June 25, 2004 | 5:36 a.m.

Brian Greenspun is editor of the Las Vegas Sun.

WEEKEND EDITION

June 26 - 27, 2004

On the golf course, it is not only a violation of the rules, it is plain stupid. It is the same way in politics, coupled, of course, with a strong dose of arrogance.

I am talking about independent candidate Ralph Nader's urging Sen. John Kerry to pick North Carolina Sen. John Edwards as his vice-presidential running mate. It seems like Nader is impressed with the young man, so much so that he unabashedly recommended him to his opponent as a man who has "already gone through a primary campaign and has his rhythm and oratory ... all well honed."

On the golf course, the players are supposed to decide such things as club selection, wind direction, yardage to the hole and every other such variable that could affect the outcome of the contest by themselves or in consultation with their own caddies or partners. Asking advice from the other side could result in a disqualification. Or worse, it could result in some very bad advice causing an awful shot! Not paying attention to your opponent may be the second thing a golfer learns, after the first thing -- which is just who the opponent actually is.

It is no different in this political game we all seem to get caught up in every four years or so. And even if John Kerry is confused about who Nader is, those who support the Democratic candidate and those who oppose him are not the least bit muddled. Ralph Nader is the man whose belief in himself is so overwhelming -- some might call it arrogance -- that he is willing to tip the balance of political favor to President George W. Bush in 2004 just as he so clearly did toward candidate George W. Bush in 2000. Not that it isn't his right to do so, because it is. But for him to suggest to his supporters that he is opposed to the president's re-election so much that he is willing to take votes away from the one man who may be able to unseat the incumbent is delusional at best, and not playing square with those who believe in him at the worst.

Regardless of Nader's motives, though, don't you think it is a bit cheeky to not only jeopardize Kerry's chances for success but also to give him advice about who his running mate should be? Would it be any different if President Bush made that call? Frankly, if Edwards is so great, why doesn't Ralphie-boy choose the senator from North Carolina, and leave the good people in the Green Party alone to decide for themselves whether John Kerry or George W. Bush would be the best man to protect the world's environment for the next four years.

The last time I listened to my opponent on the golf course I lost the match. How bad will it be if John Kerry listens to his opponent this time around?

And speaking of President Bush, I'll bet no one missed the story late last week about the president's embracing condom use as a way to prevent AIDS. That's right. Much to the chagrin, horror and feelings of total abandonment of the religious right, their fearless leader finally spoke some common sense when it comes to the worldwide fight against the spread of AIDS.

Of course, he mouthed the obligatory abstinence phrases but when push came to shove -- as it often does in the affairs of men and women -- President Bush used the C word. And he was right to do so. He explained, "Abstain, be faithful in marriage, and, when appropriate, use condoms."

With the emphasis on abstinence, he, nonetheless, suggested that using condoms was a proven preventive in the worldwide fight against the spread of the deadly virus. It all may be a little too little and a lot too late for the thousands of AIDS victims around the world but from where I stand, it is much better late than never.

I don't know how the president is going to square his most recent acquiesence to the rules of common sense with his most rabid right followers who believe in many things -- common sense not being high on the list -- but I am sure he will try to find a way to convince those who believe, almost religiously, that condoms have no place in a decent society that he didn't mean what he said.

But to those who understand the gravity of the AIDS menace, the fact that the virus knows no boundaries and discriminates not one bit in those who it attacks, President Bush's grudging agreement that using any means -- even condoms -- to help stop the spread of HIV is a good first step in winning this war. Funding his promises would also help, but that's a subject for another day.

By the way, is the president suggesting that it is appropriate for young people who are not abstaining to use a condom? If so, doesn't that put him at odds with millions of people who think he is on their side in the cultural war? And, if that is so, doesn't that mean that our president may finally understand that so many of these social issues are actually hard to solve and need far more than a slogan from the right to make them go away?

I am just asking because if the answer is yes, then there is some hope that the party of Ronald Reagan may actually be returning to its roots. You know what I am talking about. That was the party that believed that government should stay out of our lives, out of our bedrooms and out of our houses of worship. Somewhere it took a hard right turn the wrong way and confused a whole bunch of us.

Glad to see President Bush may be leading the GOP back out of the wilderness.

That brings me to two pleasurable thoughts. Former President William Jefferson Clinton arrives today to do some work for the state Democratic Party. This is not his first trip to Nevada or for the state party, as we all know. But it is his first time in the Silver State as a best-selling author. I know there are many people who would like to see the man fail, just as they hoped he would do when he ran the country at the behest of the American people for eight years. But, just like he was able to fix the economy, grow millions of jobs, get us out of debt and start to secure the blessings of liberty for generations of Americans while he was in office, he will succeed at this author stuff, too.

And the more his detractors bray at his success, the more successful he will be. And, that is a good thing because his book -- at least the parts that I have already read -- is a "how to" -- and sometimes a "how not to" -- on government, policy, politics and life that provides a lifelong education for so many people in need of one. I would suggest that those who are yelling the loudest ought to take a look at what he has written, but that would be one of those "falling on deaf ears" type of requests, wouldn't it?

Meanwhile, congratulations to my dear friend, John Moran Jr., who was appointed to the Nevada State Gaming Commission a couple of days ago. John has served as chairman of the Nevada State Wildlife Commission and as a member of the Colorado River Commisssion, two jobs that should prepare him for his latest service to the public. There is plenty of hot water and a whole lot of animals to sort through as a member of the Gaming Commission, so John is well-suited to the task. Congrats to Gov. Kenny Guinn, too, for making such a fine choice to serve the people of Nevada.