Fallout feared if Gibbonses split up

Governor could be asked to resign if it gets ugly, ally says

Steve Marcus

Jim Gibbons, accompanied by his wife, Dawn, gives a victory speech Nov. 7, 2006, at the Red Rock Resort.

By J. Patrick Coolican (contact), David McGrath Schwartz (contact)

Friday, Feb. 29, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Marital problem’s at the governor’s mansion (2-28-2008)

Friends and confidantes of Gov. Jim Gibbons’ are fearing the worst following the awkward revelation Thursday that the governor and his family will meet this weekend to discuss the future of his marriage to first lady Dawn Gibbons.

No divorce papers have been filed and neither the governor nor his wife has said anything about it publicly.

Dianne Cornwall, whose title in the governor’s office is chief operating officer, told the Reno Gazette-Journal about the family meeting. The newspaper posted a story on its Web site Thursday.

Dawn Gibbons didn’t return phone calls from the Sun seeking comment, and the governor declined to comment.

An ally of the governor’s — who was granted anonymity to speak more freely about the governor’s marriage — fears any divorce filing could be public and nasty.

If that’s the case, the source said, Gibbons could face pressure to resign.

A sitting governor separating from his wife is extremely rare in recent American history. Former Colorado Gov. Bill Owens and former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey separated from their wives during their terms recently, but it has never happened in Nevada.

Even if the Gibbonses can quietly move on, any divorce or official separation could lead to pressure on Gibbons not to run for reelection, three Republican lobbyists said Thursday.

If Gibbons is forced to resign or becomes a lame duck, he and his Republican allies could be weakened in the 2009 legislative session and in the 2010 election, when Nevadans will again elect a governor.

The latest episode is a new chapter in an eccentric governing story of almost perpetual adversity.

Gibbons took office after a tough election campaign in which he was accused of assaulting a cocktail waitress, hiring an illegal immigrant as a nanny and accepting gifts and money from a defense contractor, the final accusation eventually leading to a still-unresolved federal grand jury investigation.

Gibbons’ tenure has been marked by verbal gaffes and questionable appointments, all while the former congressman has tried to steer the state through a sluggish economy, a worsening budget deficit and a foreclosure crisis.

Cornwall’s cryptic statement about the family meeting followed days of rampant speculation in Nevada political quarters, but still left Gibbons supporters flummoxed and questioning why she would make public something that had been largely kept quiet, despite rumors and the unsourced speculation of two widely read bloggers.

Members of Gibbons’ staff had been reticent this week when asked about the rumors. Political insiders said the couple were waiting to meet with their son, who is finishing final exams at the Merchant Marine Academy, before issuing a public statement.

Four confidantes of the governor’s said Cornwall’s statement was a shock and not part of the agreed-upon plan.

The staff and advisers to Gibbons have long been divided between those loyal to the governor and those loyal to the first lady. One ally of the governor said the apparent freelancing by Cornwall, who’s always been close to Dawn Gibbons, is the first sign of a volatile process over which they’ll have no control.

Another family friend, former Gov. Bob List, said it was important to resolve a potential divorce quickly.

“If they do decide to proceed with the divorce, it’s important for them to put it behind them as soon as possible and move on,” he said. “Otherwise, it could become a distraction.”

List, who was divorced two years after leaving office in 1983, said the governor’s mansion can wear on relationships.

“Public life takes a tremendous toll on one’s family,” he said. “It’s very difficult to live in the spotlight, under pressure, for spouses and children, and the official himself.”

He said he doesn’t believe the divorce should matter, because it’s personal.

“People understand that it’s not fair to judge someone else’s private life,” he said.

State Sen. Bob Beers, who challenged Gibbons in the Republican primary but has since supported the governor’s policies, said he couldn’t foresee any legitimate public interest in the governor’s private life.

“There’s a certain prurient interest in the private life of public officials,” Beers said. “Outside of that interest, I don’t think there’s a public policy, government impact to this.”

Discussion: 6 comments so far…

By AngryPostman

2/29/08 at 11:25 a.m.

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Beers is absolutely wrong. Public interest in personal matters of politicians is integral in measuring their integrity. Nice spin try Bob, but try the truth and maybe you will catch a few votes next time you run.
By fivelbbass

3/1/08 at 1:49 a.m.

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Unbelievable. Interviewing Gov. List regarding strife in the Governor's mansion? His affairs and infidelities were legendary, and he is absolutely no position to offer advice or take issue with the press. "Public life takes a tremendous toll on one's family." Agreed -- especially if you're chasing call girls from Winnemucca to the Las Vegas strip (List) or chasing waitresses in a parking garage (Gibbons). It's not the public life that causes the strife -- it's what our elected officials choose to do that causes trouble. They bring it upon themselves.

Here's some advice -- Keep your hands (and other body parts) to yourself and be faithful to your spouse. This will keep the public eye on policy, not on your so-called private life.
By SO

3/1/08 at 12:41 p.m.

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It is interesting that (former Republican governor) Robert List was asked to comment.

There were news accounts about Mr. List while he occupied the Governor's Mansion in Carson City, describing his then-wife kicking him out of the Mansion, and yelling at him as she tossed his socks and underwear out of the second story window of the Mansion at him on the lawn below. His wife was said to be unhappy at Republican Governor List's alleged marital infidelities (plural) while employed as the chief executive of the State of Nevada.

Governor Gibbons, on the other hand, is said to be kicking Dawn Gibbons out of the Mansion, so that the Governor can file a divorce action against her !

Well, it is only logical. After all, Dawn can't live in the Mansion after the divorce. I wonder if the Governor's lady friend with whom he has enjoyed a very close relationship for the last seven (7) years will move in to the Mansion, after the divorce ??
By kurt

3/1/08 at 10:39 p.m.

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The right wing idiots who wanted the Mormon Church to excommunicate Senator Harry Reid, over his political philosophy, must feel like idiots right now. It is Governor Gibby Gibbons who has embarrassed his church and this state. After nanny gate, contractor gate, cocktail waitress gate, etc. when will the recall be announced to send this turkey into retirement? By the way could Gibby be excommunicated by his Mormon Church for adultery? How about for drinking excessively? I bet Mitt Romney feels like a jackass right about now. He stood by Gibby yet he threw Idaho Senator Larry Craig under the bus. Is Romney standing by old Gibby because he is a fellow Mormon? Did Romney abandon Larry Craig because he was a disposable Methodist?