Monday, June 13, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Senator, press corps share snappy moments

One incident involves about seven minutes of chaos with reporters, photographers and TV camera operators packed in Reid's office

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, left, meets with Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada on Thursday in Washington. A news conference in Reid's office last week was among a string of recent controversies involving Reid. Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- It was a rough week for the relationship between Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and the Capitol Hill press corps.

On Monday, Reid snapped at a reporter who asked him about calling President Bush a liar and a loser. Reid cut off a follow-up question.

Trying to stay on-message about domestic issues, Reid grew irritated again when another reporter asked him about Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, who recently said a lot of Republicans "have never made an honest living in their lives."

Those incidents were just the warm-up for the near-bedlam that occurred Thursday during a news conference in Reid's office just off the Senate floor.

Reid and three other senators in the Democratic leadership -- Richard Durbin of Illinois, Charles Schumer of New York and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan -- appeared with Dean, ostensibly to display party unity and support for the outspoken DNC chairman.

About 60 reporters, photographers and TV camera operators were kept waiting for 20 minutes before finally being crammed into Reid's office for the news conference.

There was not enough room, and reporters who were left outside began shouting for the senators to wait until they could get in. Too bad, some people still were left outside.

When the news conference started, the first question was about whether Reid had offered advice to Dean about his recent controversial statements.

When Reid suggested Dean might have misspoke, his comment set off a media frenzy.

"Governor Dean, do you agree that you misspoke?" asked NBC correspondent Chip Reid.

Dean attempted to deflect the question, saying it was more important to talk about jobs and gasoline prices.

But reporters were far more interested in Dean's caustic comments about Republicans than the Democratic agenda. More shouting ensued.

The chaos lasted about seven minutes, ending finally when Reid spokesman Jim Manley asked the media to leave.

PBS supporter

Conservatives are not usually considered big fans of public television, which they sometimes criticize for having a liberal slant. So it was noteworthy when Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., seemed to step up to defend the Public Broadcasting System against a recent attack by David Keene, chairman of the American Conservative Union.

A large picture of Porter appeared beside an opinion article in The Hill, a newspaper that covers Congress. The headline read, "The public believes in the value of PBS."

There was only one problem. Wrong Porter. The article actually was written by John Porter, a former Republican congressman from Illinois.

The Hill ran a correction the next day.

T.J. Crawford, a spokesman for the Nevada congressman, said response to the article was mixed.

"Half loved it. Half hated it," Crawford said. "Most didn't realize he wasn't the real author until the end of the day."

By the way, Crawford said, Nevada's Porter also supports PBS.

Washington playground

Billed as the hot new golfing playground for the Washington elite, the 7-year-old Members Club at Four Streams in bucolic Beallsville, Md., already lists Frank Fahrenkopf, a Nevadan and president of the American Gaming Association, as one of its honorary members.

As an honorary member, Fahrenkopf is not required to pay standard membership fees of $65,000 plus monthly dues of about $500, according to a source.

Although he is not a member, Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., is scheduled to be at the club Monday to attend a charity event for Hand Up, which helps Southern Nevada women and children with learning disabilities. Ensign is an honorary chairman for Hand Up, according to his spokeswoman Sari Mann.

Goodman's fan club

Las Vegas City Councilmen Larry Brown and Michael Mack serve on the board of the Regional Transportation Commission.

But Mack, who decided not to seek re-election to the City Council, is stepping down as a transportation commissioner since he's leaving office.

Brown told Mayor Oscar Goodman on Thursday that the RTC is happy to welcome him back to the board to replace Mack.

So happy, in fact, that Mack was sent off somewhat unceremoniously.

"They're ready to have you back," Brown quipped. "They gave (Mack) a $7 plaque and said, `That's it.' "

Review-Journal writer J.M. Kalil contributed to this report. Contact political reporter Erin Neff at 387-2906 or ENeff@reviewjournal.com.