Where’s Porter? Don’t ask Titus, she’s busy

Tuesday, July 29, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Titus' energy plan

Titus announces energy plan she says will cut pump prices (7-28-2008)
Porter, Titus head toward tight Nevada race (7-28-2008)
Nevada political update: 3rd District a ‘toss up’ (7-24-2008)
Titus lands financial help from mother ship (6-18-2008)
Titus: Gas prices are too high (5-29-2008)

There was something telling in how, for the second time since launching her campaign against three-term Rep. Jon Porter two months ago, state Sen. Dina Titus took to the gas pumps Monday and seized on the issue that has come to shape the 2008 elections: rising energy costs and offshore drilling.

She held back on the rhetoric.

There were no quotable one-liners, no political haymakers. Not even a mention of Porter’s name. Just a calm, methodical delivery of a multipoint energy plan.

Maybe Titus was subdued by the triple-digit heat searing the blacktop of the Lucky Stop parking lot.

Or, the change in tone reflects a growing confidence on the part of Democrats — here and nationally — that they will finally win Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District, which Porter, a moderate Republican, has represented since its creation in 2002.

Adding to that confidence is Porter’s near absence from the campaign trail this summer. He has held no campaign events this year and his constituent visits have been scant. Porter’s seemingly slow start this cycle was brought into sharp focus last week when the influential Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan Washington newsletter, changed its view of the race from “lean Republican” to “toss up.”

The reasons are in the numbers, which Cook analyst David Wasserman says are the worst for any incumbent seeking reelection nationally.

In 2006, Porter outspent challenger Tessa Hafen 2-to-1 and won by less than 4,000 votes in a district that was virtually split between parties. Democrats now hold a registration advantage of more than 23,700 voters. That edge, combined with the Republicans’ damaged brand name and an unpopular governor, should give Porter pause, Wasserman said. There’s also the considerable number of voters new to the district who have never seen Porter’s name on the ballot.

“This is prime campaign season,” he said. “If a candidate is not demonstrating that they are campaigning hard, it’s a sign for serious concern.”

Porter’s campaign rebuffed the criticism, saying the makeup of the district all but guarantees a tight race each cycle.

“The congressman’s campaign will not make any adjustments based on the assessments of political pundits,” said Porter spokesman Matt Leffingwell. “Congressman Porter will campaign on the same record of accomplishments that have brought him back time and time again.”

Nevada Republicans say it’s too early to draw any conclusions, citing the traditional marker of Labor Day, when campaigns generally begin in earnest. Privately, however, some express concern over Porter’s pace, especially given the financial help Titus will receive from national Democrats.

“Every race seems to be his toughest race,” said Robert Uithoven, a Republican operative who ran Jim Gibbons’ campaign for governor and serves as an informal adviser to Sen. John McCain’s campaign here. “Republicans have always been able to count on turnout to win elections, and we’re going to need it now more than any cycle I’ve seen.”

But this year may prove different.

A Pew Research Center poll last month found that record public engagement follows record voter turnout, which many states saw in the presidential primaries. In fact, voter engagement in the 2008 election is by far the highest at this point in the campaign since 1988, the poll found, with 72 percent saying they are giving “quite a lot of thought” to the election.

Pew also highlighted two findings that suggest this year’s high interest will benefit Democrats. For the first time since 1992, more Democrats than Republicans are expressing strong interest in the campaign — and more Democrats say they are more interested in politics than they were four years ago. Also, Republicans face an enthusiasm gap, with less than 50 percent of them expressing satisfaction with their field of candidates, compared with nearly 75 percent of Democrats.

Democratic interest is even more pitched in Nevada because of the state’s early presidential caucus.

Porter faces another problem.

Titus has embraced what Republicans are claiming as their issue this year: offshore drilling, which she favors.

Discussion: 12 comments so far…

By jfnance32

7/29/08 at 8:55 a.m.

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Way to go girl, Ms Taxus supports offshore drilling.

Wow....she is probable against Abortion, for FISA and for tax breaks for the rich, too.
By Johnathan_Abbinett

7/29/08 at 12:35 p.m.

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Another great piece - but, with one serious mistake - Porter is NOT a "moderate" - I can't believe you've bought into that line of "spin" - let's look at the FACTS!

Porter is taking the "aw shucks" "good old boy" "gee, can't we all just get along" tactic to look like a "nice guy" - when, in fact, he's an accomplished salesman and con man!

Porter is attempting to move to the center only because he's in his toughest race yet to get re-elected - it's typical Republican "move to the middle" BULL!

Porter has been nothing short of a "political puppet" and Bush "bag-boy" and represents D.C. in Nevada instead of representing Nevada in Washington! Porter is typical of the radical, right-wing, neo-con, nut-cases in the Republican Party that have brought us to this sad state of affairs today!

The only people Porter really cares about are his wealthy donors and his small group of volunteers!

Porter has voted AGAINST the needs of our military, our troops, military families and our disabled veterans time and time again - check his voting record PLEASE!

It's time to vote this bum out!
By anewkindofpolitics

7/29/08 at 2:29 p.m.

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What a surprise jfnance...state Sen. Titus unveils her own, very independent and ambitious energy plan and all you can do is blast her for not towing her party's line. Never mind the fact that if you took the time to READ the plan, you would probably agree with it.
Your comment shows EXACTLY why we want Dina Titus and why Jon Porter has to go. When she disagrees with her party she will let them know and present her own clear ideas. On the other hand, when Jon Porter disagrees with Bush, he either does not show up to vote or sits on his hands in fear to speak out against his boss (Unless of course it is an election year, then he might have to take a stance). We need a representative who understands we our their boss- no party or president, but the constituents who elect them. When we elect Sen. Titus, we will take a step towards restoring a true democratic legislature that not only respects but also trusts the will of the people.
By jfnance32

7/29/08 at 6:30 p.m.

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Once she gets to DC she will quickly melt into a liberal Pelosi clone.

Her record in state Senate is that she was always always always for taxes. My god!!! Her nickname is Ms. Taxus.

No matter what...a vote for MS. Taxus is a vote for the extremely liberal San Fransico Pelosi.

She will be on the bottom of the pole. When Pelosi needs a vote to raise taxes or pass an anti-offshore drilling measure, Ms Taxus will be first in line and quickly say, "Yes sir! I will abandon my election year promises. I need that committee assignment, Ms Pelosi."
By anewkindofpolitics

7/29/08 at 7:36 p.m.

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Even if you were right jfnance, which you are not, it would still be better than the George W. Bush clone we have now. This guy will go down as one of the worst presidents EVER. EVER!!! But he still has 2 fans- you and Jon Porter.
By anewkindofpolitics

7/29/08 at 7:46 p.m.

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and by the way, you might want to check with conservative anti-tax guru Chuck Muth. In his examination of the legislature, he scored Titus higher than your State senate patriarch, Bill Raggio. So while you have a clever slogan, I think your "always, always, always for taxes" comment distorts the truth and facts, and has even been refuted by well known conservatives in the state, like the afore mentioned Mr. Muth.
By jfnance32

7/29/08 at 8:31 p.m.

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A vote for Ms. Taxus is a vote for extreme liberal San Franciso Pelosi.
By ksand99

7/30/08 at 2:33 a.m.

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Jon Porter has a record of attacking people with lies. He said Tessa Hafen was a carpetbagger, when she was born and raised in Henderson!!

He must not feel very safe if he has to make up stories about his opponents to win.

Yes, "anewkindofpolitics," that Muth report was very funny. People always want to twist Dina Titus's record, but it's there in black and white. She was ranked more conservative than Bill Raggio, the leader of the republicans in the state legislature.

People can call her names all they want, but the facts state otherwise. I fully expect Jon Porter to make up more stories in order to get reelected.

Haha, plus he has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from the oil companies! And we wonder why the republicans are soft on the energy problems!

They're being paid to make hay! I guess we know where all those billions in profits are going... they're paying for the republican's relections!
By jfnance32

7/30/08 at 9:18 a.m.

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Ms. Taxus loves taxes so much.

In a Las Vegas City Life magazine interview she talks about her dream of getting a tax increase bill passed. She says in the article they only need to get rid of those pesky Republicans who are getting in the way of raising taxes.
By ksand99

7/30/08 at 4:26 p.m.

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It is not very nice you keep calling her names. That is a very low argument. Also, she is married. Maybe you do not know much about her, then? I guess that is why you are always so angry.

But it is funny that the oil companies have given Jon Porter hundreds of thousands of dollars to help the republicans stop regulations on oil speculation. He seems to be doing a good job for the oil companies. They have made record profits!

I wish Jon Porter would stand up to them and tell them that he needs to help his voters.

The oil companies haven't given Dina Titus any money for this race. I think it is because they know she can't be bought and will stand up to them!

Maybe Jon Porter will listen to us if we raise thousands of dollars? I think that is the only way to get his attention.
By jfnance32

7/30/08 at 4:40 p.m.

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I am very glad that Ms. Taxus came to her senses and came out in flavor of off-shore drilling.

Too bad that her boss, if elected, will tell her hell no never to off-shore drilling.

High gas prices are killing jobs in Las Vegas.

Ms. Taxus should say that she will be listed as an Independent in Congress if elected and if her boss, the extremely liberal Pelosi, will not change her mind about off-shore drilling.

The US has trillions of oil and natural gas that the extremely liberal Pelosi has declared off limits.

Those trillions of oil and natural gas could help Las Vegas citizens keep their jobs.

She should fight for it.
By myearth

8/1/08 at 7:36 p.m.

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Why is Nevada so far behind in SOLAR energy if Titus was in the Senate for so long?

There is a little known law in Nevada that stops solar from being part of the solution to the energy crises.

This little known law is called "Net Metering" and it alone is keeping Nevada from becoming a world leader in solar energy.

What Net Metering means to Nevadans, is that you are charged for the "net" amount of electricity that you bought from the power company. Minus what you sold them back from your solar or wind generator.

Nevada Net Metering Law

The law provides for net metering for customer-generators using wind or solar energy systems of less than 100kW. Utilities are required to offer net metering to only 1 percent of customer-generators in their service territories. Thus, discouraging solar energy.

This unnecessary and harmful restriction limits us to only 1 percent of homes, along with other restrictions that were placed in the Nevada law.

In other states and countries where Net Metering is available, anyone who puts up a solar panel can sell excess solar energy back to the power company. There are private companies now available to Nevada residents, who are willing to pay for the solar panels, and to install them for you at no out-of-pocket expense, but this is illegal under our current laws.

The law needs to be amended. With a true net metering law in Nevada, solar power will spread rapidly and people will be able to sell energy back to the community, which would dramatically lower the need for fossil fuels.

Under the current laws of Nevada, Net Metering is available only if the system is owned by the home owner. Any "lease/purchase" or sale model is considered breaking the law. This prevents solar energy from spreading in Nevada.

We need to eliminate the statewide cap on systems eligible for net metering. In Nevada, the power company is only required to offer net metering to 1 percent of its customers.

We should fight for all classes of customers to be eligible to receive net metering and that there be no limit on customer-generators. Where this law is correctly implemented, solar power spreads rapidly.

We are falling way behind in meeting our state goal of procuring 20% of our energy from renewable sources by 2015. We need to step up to the plate and increase our solar and wind energy immediately. We need to amend our "Net Metering" law. We need to increase the limit for customer-generators to be greater than 100kW.

We need to fix this problem and enable Nevada to have more Solar energy.

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