Titus applies ‘soft diplomacy’ in overseas travels

U.S. Rep. Dina Titus and a small group of House colleagues put "soft diplomacy" to practice on overseas trips this summer to countries still getting used to the idea of democracy.

The Las Vegas Democrat returned Aug. 21 after 11 days hopping from East Timor to Indonesia to Nepal to Kosovo. In July she spent 11 days in Georgia and Ukraine.

Both trips were organized by the House Democracy Partnership, an official congressional body that provides training and guidance to legislators in new democracies. A former political science professor at UNLV, Titus said she was drawn to the group.

"With this democracy partnership you don't go to places like Paris or Madrid or Buenos Aires," Titus said. "You go to places that aren't on anyone's bucket list, but they are interesting."

Though scattered around the globe, nations transitioning to democracy from monarchies or authoritarian rule tend to share the same concerns, Titus said.

"Everywhere you go they talk about transparency, corruption, talking about how the legislative body can be a better check on the executive," Titus said. "Common themes they are coming at from an earlier stage" than the U.S. model.

Still, situations vary. In Ukraine some lawmakers "came right off the barricades to the legislature" as the country faces escalating tensions with Russia, Titus said.

In East Timor, "the official language is Portuguese but nobody speaks it anymore," she said. "All these new people elected to government don't speak Portuguese but they speak 37 other languages. So nobody speaks the language you write the laws in, and nobody speaks the language that each other speaks.

"So that makes the process of legislating difficult."

Another trait they share: All are friendly to the United States in regions of the world where China is expanding its economic reach or where Russia is flexing its muscle. This gives the Americans the chance to practice "soft diplomacy," spreading U.S. influence by nonthreatening means.

"They are pro-U.S.," Titus said. "But you hear a lot about Russia and China."

— Steve Tetreault

'Dream job' pick explained

Gov. Brian Sandoval seemed to expect questions about the appointment of U.S. Sen. Den Heller's son-in-law as the state's first director of a new anti-bullying initiative.

On Friday, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dale Erquiaga announced his selection of Edward Ableser, who is married to Heller's daughter Hillary, to head the Office for a Safe and Respectful Learning Environment within the Nevada Department of Education.

"I had no part in any of the interviews, but the feedback I got is he was incredibly impressive," Sandoval said of Ableser after a Friday visit to Valley High School.

"This is his dream job. This is what he was made for," the governor added.

Ableser, who serves in the Arizona Legislature, is a professional counselor and has treated children who suffered the effects of bullying and other mental health disorders, according to a news release. The Tempe Democrat also holds a doctorate in justice and social inquiry from Arizona State University, it states.

In July, the education department posted an announcement for the job opening, which lawmakers approved as part of the executive budget in their last session.

A spokeswoman with the department did not respond to a request for a list of applicants and letters of interest, resumes or other documents provided to the state.

Ableser will begin his new position in Nevada on Oct. 1.

— Neal Morton

Reid talks, lights dim

For once, NV Energy made U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nevada, smile.

The Senate minority leader had gathered with a gaggle of reporters Aug. 24 during his Clean Energy Summit at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

While answering questions from reporters, Reid started talking about NV Energy, which had put forward a proposed rate structure that the rooftop solar industry has criticized.

As Reid started talking, the electric lights in the room started to dim.

Reid, who wears sunglasses due to an eye injury he suffered while exercising on New Year's Day, jokingly said he knows he's got dark glasses, but that it's ridiculous for the light to be that low.

The group chuckled. A reporter joked that NV Energy must have heard him start talking about the company.

The lights soon got brighter, and Reid kept talking.

— Ben Botkin

Rubio heads to Northern Nevada

Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio brings his Republican presidential campaign to Northern Nevada on Tuesday for a rural swing through conservative territory.

Rubio is holding a campaign rally at the Peppermill on Monday night in Reno.

On Tuesday, he'll make a three-town swing through rural Nevada.

His first stop is a 10 a.m. meet-and-greet at the Community Center in Carson City.

From there he travels to Yerington in Lyon County for a 2 p.m. event at Pioneer Crossing. He'll wrap up the day in Fallon with a 5:30 p.m. stop at the Fallon Convention Center.

Rubio has a strong campaign presence in Nevada, led by his state director, Lt. Gov. Mark Hutchison.

Rubio also has family ties to the Silver State. He was 8 when his parents moved from Miami to Las Vegas. His father worked as a bartender at Sam's Town and his mother was a housekeeper at Imperial Palace. The family moved back to Florida in 1985.

Rubio is the cousin of state Sen. Mo Denis of Las Vegas, who served as Democratic majority leader during the 2013 Legislature.

— Sandra Chereb

— Contact Review-Journal Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@reviewjournal.com or 202-783-1760. Find him on Twitter: @STetreaultDC. Contact Neal Morton at nmorton@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279. Find him on Twitter: @nealtmorton. Contact Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904. Find him on Twitter: @BenBotkin1.