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Ensign signals desire to move up GOP’s leadership ladder

Even as he is working through a tough year as chief campaign strategist for Senate Republicans, Sen. John Ensign is eyeing a further climb up the leadership ladder.

Ensign confirmed Friday he is letting colleagues know he wants to be promoted to chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee in the next Congress. GOP senators will vote after the elections.

The current chairwoman, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas, has announced she will not run again, giving up the fourth-ranking post. Besides Ensign, others mentioned for the position include Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and John Thune of South Dakota.

"I'm talking to people and letting them know I am going to be running," Ensign said. "I am not putting a heavy push on yet."

Ensign has his hands full now as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which ranks sixth in leadership. Republicans have struggled to keep pace with Democrats on fundraising and are expected to lose anywhere from two to six or more Senate seats in November.

Ensign discounted the thought that his chance to advance might hinge on how he does on Election Day. The campaign committee has beefed up its online capabilities and donor databases, and Ensign maintained that improvements he made to the operation should last beyond the current cycle.

"Sometimes just like a coach, you lose a game but you do a great job coaching," he said. "People see the efforts we have made and the strides we have made at the committee. I think that kind of speaks for itself."

BAILING ON REID

Rather than bail out Wall Street, a number of Americans believe that Congress should step aside and let the financial system try to fix itself.

Like Stan Colton of Searchlight.

Colton, a former Nevada state treasurer now retired and running a grocery store, was pulled into the spotlight briefly on Friday when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada dropped his name to make a point.

At a packed news conference, Reid said Democrats did not create the financial crisis but believe "something should be done." Even against the advice of constituents.

"I've got e-mails in Nevada," Reid said. "Stan Colton, his grandfather founded the town of Searchlight. He said this is the goofiest thing I ever heard. Why don't you guys get out of there and come back and let the markets go?"

"What I am saying," Reid said, "is it (the bailout effort) is very unpopular. Just because something at first glance seems unpopular doesn't mean we shouldn't react to it."

Reached Friday in Searchlight, Colton said Reid took some liberty with the wording of his e-mail, and his point was stretched. For instance, Colton, who is a Democrat, said he did not use the word "goofiest."

Colton said he told Reid he opposed the bailout and advised against hasty action. Congress is trying a quick fix for problems that took years to grow, he said.

"The market has a tendency to take care of itself," Colton said. "You can see that already." There is proof, he said, in the news that billionaire Warren Buffett is investing $5 billion in Goldman Sachs, and that pieces of other failed companies are being bought by survivors.

"There are market players that are still out there," Colton said. "Free markets have a way of taking care of themselves, and then you can come on and reward the people that are still standing."

"What I was trying to say to Harry is that if you act too hastily, you may repent at leisure," Colton said. Watching the crisis and the government's response unfold from back in Searchlight, he said, "drives me crazy ... maybe a little more crazy because of my insights." Colton was state treasurer from 1979 to 1982.

ULTIMATE VOTING

If you don't vote, Ross Miller might beat you up.

Not really, of course. But the baby-faced Nevada secretary of state has recorded a public service announcement with the Ultimate Fighting Championship that is scheduled to start airing this week on local cable stations.

Heavy guitars crank in the background as Miller says, "The 2008 election is fast-approaching, and the electoral process relies on your participation." Amid quick-cut shots of fighters kicking, punching and generally looking fierce, Miller adds, "That's why I'm teaming up with the UFC and urging you to exercise your ultimate right: the right to vote."

Fighters Chuck Liddell, Matt Hughes, Dan Henderson, Mike Swick, Keith Jardine and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson appear onscreen, each urging viewers, "Vote." Political Notebook has heard of none of them but is informed that these are all very impressive names.

Dana White, UFC president, adds: "Because if you don't vote, you're not even in the fight." The address for the secretary of state's intermittently functioning new election Web site, silverstate08.com, then comes onscreen.

The UFC is based in Las Vegas and co-owned by the Fertitta family. Miller's staff said the collaboration came about because of his friendship with the family and the fact that he sometimes works out at the UFC gym. Apparently he's even been known to spar with the fighters.

NONCAMPAIGN CAMPAIGN

It's campaign season, so of course you're seeing ads telling you what a great senator Harry Reid is.

But wait a second: Harry Reid's not on the ballot this year. So what's up with the ads?

Spots on local television and mailers sent to some local residents have praised Reid for his work on the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

The 30-second commercial, which has been airing on networks, shows family scenes as piano music plays and a female narrator says, "They look to us to protect them, teach them, tuck them in at night. But for parents without health insurance, a visit to the doctor could be more than they can afford. So in Congress, Harry Reid helped pass health care coverage for uninsured children."

The ads, which urge viewers to call Reid's office and "tell him to keep fighting to insure our kids," are sponsored by a group called America's Agenda: Health Care for Kids. The group, a nonprofit issue-advocacy group, gets most of its funding from the pharmaceutical industry, a spokeswoman said.

Nicole Korkolis said similar ads are airing in 30 regions around the country, targeting "various legislators who had voted (for the program) in the past, who we think may be under pressure to change their votes and need continued support."

Expansions of SCHIP were twice passed by Congress and vetoed by President Bush in 2007; the program is operating under a temporary extension that expires in March. Korkolis said the campaign is aiming to push the bill to the forefront of the agenda, if not during this Congress, then perhaps in the next session.

Reid had no idea the ads were coming but doesn't mind the free advertising, a spokesman said. "Frankly, ad campaigns like this are helpful because they help people understand what the issue is," Jon Summers said.

There's a lot going on in the Senate these days. But Reid is committed to getting SCHIP through before it expires, Summers said.

Contact reporter Molly Ball at mball @reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2919.

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