CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2

First-term Republican Rep. Dean Heller talks about how he is not taking his little known 2nd Congressional District primary opponent, James Smack, lightly.

But then what do the facts show?

Heller, 48, isn't running any TV ads this primary season.

Two years ago he owned the airwaves, spending everything he had in the primary to beat former Assemblyman Sharron Angle by a scant 428 votes.

Heller, of Carson City, reported to the Federal Election Commission in March that he had $808,000 in cash on hand.

Smack, 41, had not even collected the $5,000 minimum that requires him to submit a contributions report.

A pawn shop manager from Fallon, Smack hopes to raise $100,000 by the time of the Aug. 12 primary, but admits that "is a tall order."

Smack acknowledges he is a long shot.

With Heller's financial advantage and better name recognition, it is almost a foregone conclusion that the incumbent will march through the primary and to the general election for a repeat contest against Democrat Jim Derby, who has no primary opponent.

"My advantage is he is concentrating on his opponent (Derby) in the fall," said Smack, one of Nevada's leading supporters of Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul.

"Dean Heller is a good man, but there are a bunch of differences between us," he said.

Heller displayed a surprising independent streak earlier this month when he declared it would be a good thing if the Republican Party loses some of its members in Congress.

The Republicans should clean up their house because too many of them have forgotten the party's traditional principles of less government and regulations and lower taxes, Heller said in a more recent interview.

"If we act like Republicans, we will get the majority again," he said. "When Republicans don't act like Republicans, that's when they get in trouble."

Too many Republicans in Congress have voted for increased spending, backed pork barrel projects, and through their votes contributed to the $300 billion to $400 billion annual deficit, Heller said.

"It is causing the economic problems we have today," he said.

As an example of how he differs from the incumbent, Smack mentioned Heller's support of House Resolution 362. The resolution would tighten economic sanctions against Iran, creating a blockade to stop the country from importing refined gasoline and inspecting cargo before it arrives.

Smack said the resolution is little more than a declaration of war against Iran.

"War with Iran is not something that Nevada or the nation wants or can afford," Smack said.

But Heller is not backing down from his position.

"We are taking sanctions against Iran if it continues with ... nuclear production. It is critical to keep Iran from building nuclear weapons. The leaders in Iran want to wipe us out."

Iran's goal is to destroy Israel first and then the United States, Heller said.

Iran on July 9 tested missiles capable of reaching Israel.

Still, Heller said American troops are spread too thin to take on a war on a third front.

But he did say the time has come to start moving American troops out of Iraq.

Smack said he never has supported the war in Iraq. He said he wants to bring home not only those troops, but also the troops from all 100 military bases around the world where Americans are stationed.

But he said he would not set a date for withdrawal, since it might put U.S. troops at risk.

"For the most part, our job in Iraq is pretty much finished. In recent months, they have proved they can stand on their own."

As a member of Congress, Heller's biggest splashes nationally have come over his criticism of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

In May, he delivered the Republicans' weekly radio address and criticized Pelosi for not acting on her pledge to do something about high energy prices.

Heller said Republicans and Democrats are closer today on an energy policy that should include drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and increasing coastal drilling.

Heller attributes high gasoline prices to increased world demand and the dollar's declining purchasing power.

But if it can be shown that oil price speculators are contributing to the problem, he would support legal action against them.

Smack shares similar views on oil production and supports the development of alternative energy sources, "but not at the expense of the American taxpayer."

"Rather, I would like to see the market dictate whether this or some other alternative fuel can be less expense," he said.

Contact reporter Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900.