Reid to lead push for honesty

Benjamin Grove

Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006 | 7:45 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats appear to be backing away from an all-out assault on Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito and throwing the full force of their caucus behind an effort to blast Republicans for a "culture of corruption" in Washington.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid today plans to huddle with his troops behind closed doors to discuss strategy on the two issues.

Aides to the Nevadan are publicly denying reports that the Democrats do not plan vigorous opposition to Alito to focus on the key to their 2006 election strategy -- tarring the GOP for ethical lapses and an emerging lobbying scandal.

Democrats who oppose Alito -- Reid is expected to be among them -- likely will begin their floor speeches next week prior to a full Senate vote.

"We've got two operations, both going at full tilt," Reid spokesman Jim Manley said.

But Democratic sources quietly acknowledge that it is unlikely that senators will organize a filibuster on the Alito nomination.

Democrats instead are plotting to spend more time and energy this week -- and this election year -- hammering away at what they describe as ethical shortcomings of Republicans, an issue Democrats believe gives them more political traction.

Democrats today are planning a scripted rally and media spectacle at the Library of Congress to unveil their "Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2006." The bill is expected to take aim at lobbyist gifts, travel rules and secretive lobbyist-directed legislation.

The Democrats aim to capitalize on the controversy enveloping former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who pleaded guilty to corruption-related charges and is cooperating with prosecutors. Abramoff gave lawmakers campaign money, meals and trips.

Reid also sent a letter to President Bush on Tuesday seeking clarification of White House ties to Abramoff. Reid and the Democrats today will argue that Congress cannot get on with its regular business until lawmakers have cleaned up the Capitol.

"What you are going to be hearing is a foundation for a broader Democratic agenda," said Manley, who runs the Democratic communications "war room" in the Capitol. "Everything is going to be built on this basic framework."

Democrats, though, will not be launching a first strike. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has introduced his own anti-corruption bill. And Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier, R-Calif., on Tuesday unveiled a similar bill. One key tenet would lengthen from one year to two the amount of time that former lawmakers and top aides must wait before they can lobby Congress.

"It is my sincere hope that all members who care as deeply as the speaker does about the integrity of the House will engage in this discussion without partisan or political considerations," Dreier said.

While Democrats are couching the Abramoff scandal as a Republican one, things could change, said Jennifer Duffy, who analyzes Senate races for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. Much is unknown, including which lawmakers eventually may be ensnared, she said.

"It may appear that the Democrats have the upper hand, but this is a multiple-round bout," Duffy said.

Republicans hope that Reid's role as a leader in the "culture of corruption" campaign backfires because he has taken money from Abramoff's Indian tribe clients.

"As long as Harry Reid continues to ignore his past and paint this as a partisan issue, he is going to be forced to answer questions about his own glaring hypocrisy," Republican National Committee spokesman Tucker Bounds said.

Nevada voters may be more likely to examine all candidates's ethics, not just Republicans, state Republican Party Chairman Paul Adams said.

"If you are going to claim to ride in on a white horse, your horse better be white," Adams said. "Their (Democrats) horse is not."

The National Republican Senatorial Committee pointed to a Monday story in CQ Weekly that outlined how former Reid staffer Edward Ayoob went to work as a lobbyist -- for a time, at Abramoff's firm -- and represented Indian tribe clients. The story reported that Reid acted on behalf of legislation that benefited six of Ayoob's clients.

But Reid, as Democratic leader, merely shepherded legislation sponsored by other Democrats, Manley said. Reid supported the legislation's contents on its merits, he said. As Nevada's senior senator, Reid has an interest in Indian and gaming issues as he seeks to protect the state's gambling industry, Manley said.

The GOP's attempt to taint Reid will fail, Manley said.

"The Republicans own this scandal lock, stock and barrel," he said.

Benjamin Grove can be reached at (202) 662-7436 or at grove@ lasvegassun.com.