Las Vegas Sun

February 9, 2010

Currently: 47° | Complete forecast | Log in

Dems launch Web site that picks on governor

Thursday, July 31, 2008 | 2:35 p.m.

INTERNET ENHANCED

Related story

The state Democratic Party has launched a Web site asserting that Jim Gibbons is “America’s Worst Governor.” That they feel this way is not surprising; what is startling is that Web address –- www.americasworstgovernor.com -- was available for purchase.

The party has cobbled together multiple press clippings documenting some of Gibbons’ gaffes, including the tax scandal he’s now embroiled in over a piece of property he owns in the Elko area and what Democrats have labeled text gate, referring to how he sent hundreds of text messages to a female friend.

“Everything is documented, because we couldn’t make this up – obviously,” said Travis Brock, the executive director of the Nevada Democratic Party, in a conference call this afternoon with reporters.

Web visitors who click under the governor's photo will see a Gibbons quote pop up, some infamous, others possibly out of context.

Users can also pose possible text messages to Gibbons; the party will select their favorites to post on the page.

Gibbons is not up for re-election until 2010, though Republicans seeking election to the Legislature this year will have their hands full.

Brock said the Democrats are targeting both this election cycle and 2010.

“Gibbons is clearly tied to the Republican brand,” Brock said.

Gibbons’ spokesman, Ben Kieckhefer, said the Web site demonstrated that Democrats are more concerned with attacking Gibbons than on offering solutions to the state’s problems, including the budget shortfall.

“If they have such a poor, low opinion of the governor, I find it amusing that they have been following in lockstep as he leads the state through the biggest budget crisis in their history,” Kieckhefer said. “So it would be nice to see some solutions instead of complaining.”

Discussion: 3 comments so far…

Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Comments that are off-topic, vulgar, profane or include personal attacks will be removed. Full comments policy.

  1. Gibbons staff like Ben Kieckhefer reminds me of that scene in the movie "The Last Picture Show" as the town's much beloved mentally handicapped kid tries to sweep the town's sidewalks clean in the midst of a 60 mph dust storm.

  2. I am from Illinois, and I thought WE had the country's worst governor (he has an approval rating of only 13 percent) until I found this story.

    Our guy has done just about everything yours has -- questionable appointments, questionable fundraising, multiple FBI investigations, calling pointless special sessions, refusing to live in the governor's mansion (though not for the same reason), blatant political patronage hiring, screwing up the state budget, alienating members of his own party (he's a Democrat) -- except for the text message thing and running around with other women (at least in public). Legislative leaders have publicly called him a "madman" and a "sociopath" and there's been open talk of impeaching him.

    However, he's had 5 1/2 years (he's in his second term, unfortunately, and isn't term-limited) to accumulate that kind of record while your guy has done it in less than half the time. Congratulations!

  3. Don't the state's Dem leaders have more to worry about than launching websites attacking Gibbons? You know what, if the people don't like the job he's doing, they'll vote him out of office in two years. Get a life 'Rats.

Post a comment

Commenting requires registration.

Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Comments that are off-topic, vulgar, profane or include personal attacks will be removed. Full comments policy.

If you would like to submit your comment as a letter to the editor, you may submit it here.

Username:
Password: (Forgotten your password?)

OR Create an account (It's free)

Spotlight

Signing Day

Signing Day

Eight locals highlight first recruiting class at UNLV for new coach

Miss America

Miss America

Stories, photos and videos from this year's pageant

CES 2010

CES 2010

Full coverage of the International Consumer Electronics Show

CityCenter

CityCenter

The definitive guide to MGM Mirage's newest property

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve

Full coverage of New Year's Eve 2009

Sights Unseen

Sights Unseen

A collection of our favorite images that didn't run in 2009

2020 Vision

2020 Vision

As a new decade begins, the Sun looks 10 years ahead

Bottoming Out

Bottoming Out

Gambling addiction in Las Vegas

Funny Face

Funny Face

Carrot Top's stage act a mask of contradictions

Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy

A detailed look at where renewable-energy sources are located in the state

A gamble in the sand

A gamble in the sand

The history of Las Vegas

Guest Gauge

Guest Gauge

The weekend crowd forecast for Las Vegas

  • Most Read
  • Discussed
  • Most E-mailed

Calendar »

  • 9 Tue
  • 10 Wed
  • 11 Thu
  • 12 Fri
  • 13 Sat