Heller likes Obama’s first steps to open Cuba travel

RENO — U.S. Sen. Dean Heller said Thursday there is no reason why the United States should not have some economic understanding with Cuba.

The Nevada Republican, who accompanied President Barack Obama on the historic trip to Cuba this week, said he has an open mind on the policy of working with the Cuban people.

“They are actually wonderful people,” said Heller, who visited Cuba previously in July 2015. “In this case, opening up travel between the two countries, I support it. Full diplomatic relationships at this point, I am still taking a look at it.”

Heller said he attended Obama’s speech to the Cuban people, and noted that those in the audience kept their eye on President Raul Castro to determine when to clap and when to stay quiet.

“I think his (Obama’s) comments were right on,” Heller said. “I have always said that when I think the president is right I will support him and when I don’t I won’t. I was the same way with President Bush.”

On a more local issue, Heller said he does not believe U.S. Senate candidate Sharron Angle is a serious threat to Rep. Joe Heck in the Republican primary to replace Sen. Harry Reid.

“I support Joe,” Heller said. “I believe that she is not a serious candidate.”

The primary isn’t all bad because it will require Heck, whose district is in Las Vegas, to spend money in Washoe County, which in turn will raise his name recognition with Northern Nevada Republican voters, he said.

Heller said Heck will have to take Angle’s candidacy seriously, but “at the end of the day if Joe does everything he needs to do, he will win, by a lot.”

On the national scene, Heller said he is not convinced Donald Trump will end up as the Republican nominee when the presidential primary process concludes.

“I don’t think he will have enough electoral votes going in to the convention,” Heller said. “If he did he should be the nominee.”

Heller said history has shown that anything can happen at a political convention, noting that Abraham Lincoln was third going in but he ended up as the nominee.

“So anything can happen if they don’t have the delegates going in,” he said.

As to whether he will support Trump if he is the nominee, Heller said: “I’m not going to support Hillary Clinton for president of the United States.”

Heller said he does not like the tenor of the Republican primary process, with candidates reduced to making comments about spouses and engaging in name calling.

“But I think at the end of the day the Republican Party will bounce back and we will be as strong as ever.”

Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-461-3820. Find @seanw801 on Twitter.