Group backed by Adelson picks Berkley as a target

By Lisa Mascaro (contact)

Sunday, June 1, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Washington — Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley holds what may be the safest seat in the Nevada congressional delegation.

She serves a solidly Democratic district that makes it difficult for a Republican to woo voters. And she has worked diligently over the past decade to compile a voting record and roster of allies that would make an attack from within less likely.

Put it this way: As inspired and intrepid as her challengers may be, Berkley’s race is not one to watch this fall.

That’s why it was surprising to learn the conservative group Freedom’s Watch is spending its resources targeting the Las Vegas congresswoman in its latest offensive against Democrats over Iraq war funding.

As it did the Friday before Memorial Day, Freedom’s Watch will call voters in Berkley’s district Monday to complain about Congress’ inability to send President Bush a war funding bill before recessing for the holiday.

Freedom’s Watch is the Washington-based group backed by casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, chairman of the Las Vegas Sands Corp., owner of the Venetian resort and one the world’s richest men.

The group launched last year with a provocative campaign during Congress’ pivotal review of President Bush’s troop surge in Iraq, supporting Republican members of Congress who backed the surge, including Nevada’s Rep. Jon Porter.

Those ads made sense. Freedom’s Watch offered a conservative counteroffensive to the anti-war campaigns being run by MoveOn.org and others.

Targeting Berkley now, alongside two dozen vulnerable freshmen Democrats and party leaders, is a curious way for the group to spend its money.

If this were 1998, when Adelson and Berkley, his former vice president at Sands, were sworn enemies, the Freedom’s Watch ads might be understandable. At that time, Berkley was running for the open congressional seat and Adelson was trying take his former lawyer down.

Adelson had burst onto the Nevada political scene that year much the way he has nationally now, funding Republican causes he cared about. He haunted Berkley’s race. Opponents questioned her ethics after the release of a secretly recorded phone call and the contents of a memo she had written to her then-boss suggesting favors to elected officials.

Berkley apologized for her comments and went on to win the election. She has held the congressional seat ever since.

Could this be bygones resurfacing?

Freedom’s Watch spokeswoman Gail Gitcho said the group is focusing its efforts in congressional districts where “we can make an impact — and that is one of them.”

“Mr. Adelson is one of the financial supporters of Freedom’s Watch, but does not play an active role in the day-to-day activities of the organization,” Gitcho added.

But a Democratic strategist mused otherwise. “This is a man who is legendary for holding a grudge, so anything is possible,” the strategist said. “It seems to be a waste of his time and money.”

The recorded message that will be dialed into Berkley’s district on Monday will be coming from Beverly Perlson, whose son, John, just returned from his fourth tour in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I’m not just embarrassed by our ungrateful and irresponsible Congress — I’m angry,” Perlson says on the recording. “Call Congresswoman Shelley Berkley. Tell her to wrap up her vacation, get back to work, and vote to pay our troops.”

Gitcho, the spokeswoman, said war funding is “an issue that residents in that district and households in that district care about.”

The congresswoman’s spokesman, David Cherry, said the group’s effort “is somewhat misdirected.”

Berkley did vote for the funding package before the holiday recess, Cherry said, “and has consistently voted to fund the troops.”

He added the group’s effort has not generated much response by way of calls to the congresswoman’s offices.