JON RALSTON:

Buckley’s decision may not be best for Nevada, but is for her

Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009 | 2 a.m.

With a 2-to-1 lead in the gubernatorial primary polls, plenty of money for a credible campaign and a loyal, passionate following, Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley must be a terrible politician to opt out of a race she easily could have won.

But she also must be a great mother.

Some day her 10-year-old son, Aiden, will realize what his mother sacrificed for him, how she let go of a dream for his sake. In the world of politics, where motivations are seldom accepted at face value and where the personal so often is secondary to the political, any elected official who explains a decision by declaring he or she will spend more time with the family is immediately disbelieved.

So, too, will Buckley’s explanation invoking Aiden be derided by many in the conspiracy-theorizing, petty-minded echo chamber, where it will be unthinkable that someone could actually decide a course of action by looking into the eyes of a child instead of gazing upward at the next rung on the political ladder.

I can hear the whispers: She was frightened off by The Reid Machine (Rory for governor and Harry for reelection). They must have found her a job or an appointment. Curse the good old boys — they win again.

But that is insipid nonsense.

Few know just how badly Buckley wanted to run for governor — and once you realize she believed she could win, Occam’s razor applies. Indeed, Buckley has mused about running for governor for many years. In preparation, she methodically engrossed herself in the Legislature, amassing a career marked as much by substantial policy accomplishments as remarkable political abilities. It is not ironic that the woman who declined to run for governor because she thought first of her child’s welfare has done so much for child welfare in this state. It is, instead, fitting.

Don’t misunderstand: I know the political side of Barbara Buckley, too. She can be brusque, dismissive, ruthless, even vindictive — just ask some of the capital lobbying corps. But like great lawmakers before her, politics was not just a game to Buckley but a means to an end, usually one involving legislation that would endear her to no special interest but would make a difference in lives.

I thought it was her political side that was most operative during the difficult 2009 session, when I thought she did less on tax policy so she could do more later as governor. I thought she might have compromised too much because she was concerned with her political viability in the governor’s race.

Perhaps that was true, or perhaps, as she would argue, Madame Speaker simply was being practical because even if she could play Count to 28 in the Assembly for more sweeping changes, Majority Leader Steven Horsford could not Count to 14 in the Senate. But even if Buckley was keeping one eye on the governor’s race during Session ’09, she also couldn’t help but miss Aiden, sitting languidly in her office as she negotiated some deal or wondering plaintively on the phone when she would come home.

I think Buckley knew shortly after the session concluded that she would not run. She knew the math was there for her to win — she had polls months ago showing her crushing County Commission Chairman Rory Reid in the Democratic primary. But she was considering another equation — her son had just turned 10 and if she ran for governor and presumed (as they all do) two terms and eight years, she would miss half of middle school, all of high school, and then Aiden would be in college.

I don’t think Buckley could justify the race when she did that math. The poll results a couple of weeks ago showing her with that big lead might have made her stop and think, especially after calls of support poured in. But any call to duty to save the Democratic Party from Reid the Younger’s negatives were blunted by her higher calling as a mother.

So she is out, although this is not a eulogy — Buckley is young and could return. But an opportunity like this may never come her way again, and she knows that.

I’d love to talk about the politics of her decision — for instance, how other prominent Democrats might consider getting in the governor’s race if Reid the Elder’s shadow doesn’t scare them away. But that is for another day.

Today’s story, shockingly, is about putting family over politics. And with all the chatter that having two Reids on the ballot hurts both of them, I can’t help but think that Reid the Elder is wondering if Reid the Younger gets the point.

Jon Ralston hosts the news discussion program “Face to Face With Jon Ralston” on Las Vegas ONE and publishes the daily e-mail newsletter “RalstonFlash.com.” His column for the Las Vegas Sun appears Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.

Discussion: 18 comments so far…

By sunset

9/13/09 at 7:42 a.m.

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God bless her. There are a number of ways to impact the political process. She can and should stay involved.
By texexnv

9/13/09 at 9:59 a.m.

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Babs is smarter than your average Dummocrat (or common desert rock; take your pick) - family considerations aside here.

In two days we will know if Judge Sandoval is going to defeat Harry or Ichabod or both in one big "swoop...SWOOP!" as people flock to vote in support of the polls both Reids arrogantly ignore.

Why get tagged as a "loser" when Ichabod will assume that title for her? She has a LOT of time left in the public spotlight so no need to rush in where fools tread here.

Yup - smarter than your average Dummocrat rock for sure....
By Sincity83

9/13/09 at 1:46 p.m.

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texexnv has it right. Don't be fooled by "family over politics", the timing is just too much of a coincidence. She might have taken Reid Jr but Sandoval would have left her in the dust.
By darkhorse

9/13/09 at 2:05 p.m.

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I only hope Judge Sandoval, brings both sides together and can actually put together a plan for the future. A Governor should be an arbitration, not a dictator like Gibbo. Perhaps, a campaign slogan of "compromise". I just can't wait to see Gibbons shenanigans when he realizes the public despises him. Governor 10%.
By afveteran

9/13/09 at 2:57 p.m.

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Gibbons has done the right thing: avoid raising taxes and avoid growing the state government.
By JLOKC

9/13/09 at 3:59 p.m.

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afveteran: I think you also avoid growing the state by following Gibbons plan. Taxes are a form of cooperative giving (although they are coerced). I am always surprised that a Mormon state such as Nevada will give so freely to create the largest cultic juggernaut in North America yet squeal like a stuck pig at the thought of helping anyone or anything through any government entity. All the while ignoring the fact that Nevada would be nothing without huge Federal Government programs and subsidies, such as Hoover Dam, or the Yucca Mountain black hole.
By The_Onion

9/13/09 at 5:09 p.m.

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Don't count your chickens before they hatch Sandoval Fan Club.

1. He has to win a contentious Republican primary that is shaping up to be a four way race, assuming the other candidates don't drop out. The primary voters are going to be looking for a true conservative, one who speaks and acts like them. Considering the number of teabaggers in that party that are angry and will vote in the primary, Gibbons looks and sounds a lot more like their candidate. If Gibbons numbers improve from 12% he has a real shot-- and they just might. Sandoval splits the vote with Heck and Montandon- Gibbons can squeak out a win, especially in a traditionally low turnout election.

2. Sue Lowden is the same type of candidate as Sandoval, so I don't see him taking a shot at the Senate race, especially with a crowded field of dwarfs (Ralston's political nomenclature, but fitting nonetheless).

My guess is Sandoval runs for Governor, but he loses to Gibbons in a four way primary.

Let them eat their own...
By Vegasvampire

9/14/09 at 5:50 a.m.

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Barbara Buckley is very smart, leaving that from towards the Governor's Mansion. She better as a future lobbyist or Head of the Nevada Democratic Party when Rory Reid takes the Governorship.
By Guy Demarco (Staff)

9/14/09 at 6:57 a.m.

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Hey all. Today (September 14) on Face to Face with Jon Ralston we are talking about Buckley's decision and what it means for the 2010 governor's race. That's at 5:30pm, 6:30pm and 8pm on Las Vegas ONE, Cox Cable Channel 19.
By Patrick_R_Gibbons

9/14/09 at 9:34 a.m.

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With the economy not looking so hot and with a 20% tax increase just to maintain spending it might be politically smart to avoid being put in an office where a Democrat might have to cut "beloved" government programs to keep the ship afloat. After all, we did see Napolitano jump ship in Arizona and they, like Nevada, went on a spending spree during the good times and found themselves without enough cash to keep the party going. Rather than hack and slash the budget she left for the Obama administration to keep her name from being soiled.

Afveteran, Governor Gibbons did raise taxes. He advocated an increase in the room tax.
By lipton

9/14/09 at 9:48 a.m.

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Ok, I like Barbara Buckley, and more than likely would have voted for her. I respect her decision and the column written in defense of her choosing family over office at this time. My question is, In the closed mind of the democratic party, why the he8l is it ok for her but its not ok for S.Palin? It is called double standard, hypocracy to the fullest.
By lipton

9/14/09 at 10:04 a.m.

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Gibbons didn't raise taxes and avoided growing govt? WHAT!!!!!!!! He just didn't call it taxes. He took money from the counties and cities. They can't pay their bills so they have to raise local taxes to meet their budget. Gibbons did that. Its called back door.Growing govt?????? He has hired about 20 new govt employees to committee the stimulus money and other projects. They will not be fired or layed off when the money is gone, they will continue to get a paycheck for doing nill to nothing.Wasteful govt spending. He tripled select employees wages, hired 2 more staff and then said he did Nevada a favor by cutting 6% of their wages. Big flippin deal. He said he would take a cut too!!! I laugh. His wage CANNOT be cut while in office, only upon election time.Think he was unaware of that little detail? Either he lied to Nevadans or he is really as ignorant as most Nevadans think he is.
By vegasstudent

9/14/09 at 11:10 a.m.

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Over in Jane Ann Morrison's article on Buckley some commenters seem to think Harry has convinced her not to run and then will back her against Ensign.
By jlb101

9/14/09 at 4:49 p.m.

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Buckley should move to California. She has already done enough damage to Nevada with her constant ranting and raving for higher taxes and more government dregs to control our lives. She would fit right in living in California with all the left wing loonies and parasite class that has taken over and destroyed that once beautiful state. She would not be missed one bit by the productive class in Nevada.
By afveteran

9/14/09 at 7:13 p.m.

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There are a lot of inconsistent statements being made about Governor Jim and his anti-tax, anti- big government mantras. The legislature passed tax increases despite vetoes by the Governor. In fact, the legislature acted like their neighbors in California: spending money they don't have, and folding in to special interests, like public unions and the like. Buckley would fit right in with the Sacramento bunch, for sure.
By magoo61

9/14/09 at 8:03 p.m.

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I'll vote Gibbons and I'm a Democrat, we should never have one party in total control... county, state or country!!!
By DessertSun

9/14/09 at 9:20 p.m.

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Yep, everyone in my family is voting for Gibbons as well.
By DessertSun

9/14/09 at 9:23 p.m.

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No more Democrats! After what I've seen the first few months of a ruthless group a power mongers. Their arrogance in refusing to listen to the people will come back at them and they deserve what's about to hit them.