Washington Notebook: Sen. Reid aghast at nationwide fuel prices

Benjamin Grove and Suzanne Struglinski

Monday, Oct. 31, 2005 | 9:09 a.m.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid last week opened his remarks at a press conference by noting a conversation about gasoline prices that he had with fellow Searchlight residents Judy and Dick Hill.

The Hills, longtime friends of Reid, whom the senator occasionally mentions in speeches, visited with him at his home earlier this month.

They mentioned in passing that they were spending at least $500 a month for gasoline, in large part because Dick commutes 80 miles a day to Laughlin. The Hills didn't know Reid was going to mention that in his remarks at a Capitol Hill rally on energy issues, but they hardly mind.

"I did bring up the price of gas," Judy Hill told the Sun, recalling their visit. "I know he's trying to do something. I wish someone would do something."

Reid said the Hills were just one example of a family that now has to factor high gasoline prices into their budget. "That's the way it is all over America," he said.

SPEAKING OF BETTER

The phrase "can do better" is now part of the Democratic lexicon and is likely to emerge as a theme in the 2006 elections. Reid has been using it since the August recess. House Democratic leaders last week met behind closed doors to discuss use of the slogans "Together, We Can Do Better" or "Together, America Can Do Better." The latter was splashed on displays at press conferences held by Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Tuesday (post-Katrina spending) and Wednesday (homeland security.)

MCCAIN ON TILLMAN

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., writes in his new book, "Character is Destiny," about Pat Tillman, the Arizona Cardinals football player who joined the Army and died in Afghanistan. McCain wrote that he admires Tillman and others should, too. The modest Tillman likely would not approve, McCain wrote.

"So how should we remember him? When he played for Arizona State, Pat used to like to climb one of the 200-foot light towers at the stadium, and stay up there for some time contemplating what his future would be, what kind of man he would become. I think I'll remember him climbing down from the tower with the right answers to his questions."

VUCANOVICH ON VUCANOVICH

Former Rep. Barbara Vucanovich, R-Nev., held a party to unveil her new autobiography in Washington on Wednesday at the Capitol Hill home of a longtime friend Ron Kaufman. Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., who now holds her seat and Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., attended along with former Sen. Paul Laxalt, R-Nev., and Bruce James, the public printer of the United States, who is also from Nevada.

Gibbons said when he came to Congress he had "big pumps" to fill in representing the Second District. Berkley said she hopes she has the same turnout in 20 years when she writes her book.

FOCUS, SENATOR

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, look perplexed Tuesday after she walked into an elevator in the National Press Building and the doors wouldn't close.

Nor would any of the others. She apparently missed the obvious signs of a fire drill, including the blaring siren and flashing strobe lights.