Gibbons sees ratings as comparatively high

Gov. Jim Gibbons isn't perturbed by his low approval ratings. But in comparing himself to the governors of other states, he summoned some examples that bear a closer look.

Asked about his rating, pegged at 30 percent in a recent Reno Gazette-Journal poll, Gibbons told reporters at Nellis Air Force Base last week, "I think you ought to go look at every other governor, whether it's Janet Granholm of Michigan, whether it's Baldacci of Maine."

The Democratic governor of Michigan is named Jennifer Granholm.

Gibbons continued, "Every one of us, every governor just about, whether it's Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, or Jim Gibbons in Nevada, seem to have a low public approval rating in the initial phases. I think it goes with the territory."

In fact, in March 2003, shortly after she was elected to her first term, Granholm's approval rating stood at 71 percent. It wasn't until 2005, after difficulties with the state Legislature and the budget, that Granholm's approval slipped to 36 percent.

Similarly, polls gave John Baldacci, the Democratic governor of Maine, a 72 percent approval rating after he was first elected in 2003; by December 2005, after budget and health-care system troubles, he dipped as low as 36 percent.

Schwarzenegger, too, had more of a honeymoon than Gibbons after his October 2003 election in a recall. Shortly after being elected, the Governator had the affection of 59 percent of Californians. It wasn't until he went a few rounds with the Legislature and state unions that his approval declined to as low as 36 percent.

Gibbons added: "I plan to keep doing my job. I keep saying that part of being governor is about leading. It's about making those changes people expect. If I ran the state of Nevada with my finger in the wind every time the polls changed, my approval rating would be lower than what it is. I'm running the state according to the way I promised the people of the state of Nevada, and I will continue to do that."

REID RATING STRONG

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's first few months in the top post are being received decently well, according to a recent poll.

In a nationwide survey, 46 percent of 1,141 adults approved of Reid's leadership in the Senate, while 33 percent disapproved.

The Washington Post-ABC News poll tested Americans' approval of Reid and his House of Representatives counterpart, Nancy Pelosi, after their first 100 days in the majority.

Pelosi, D-Calif., got higher marks than Reid, D-Nev., with 53 percent approving and 35 percent disapproving of the new House speaker. She was more popular than the last House speaker to take the helm after a party turnover in Congress, Newt Gingrich, who in March 1995 had the approval of just 37 percent, the Washington Post noted.

But Reid lagged behind the Senate leader at that time, Bob Dole, who in March 1995 had a 60 percent approval rating, the Post said.

Reid spokesman Jon Summers called the poll "positive" for Reid.

"It shows he's got the support of the country," Summers said. "A lot more people approve of him than disapprove. The others just don't know who he is."

According to the poll, just 26 percent of those surveyed believe the new Congress has accomplished "a great deal" or "a good amount."

ENSIGN TRIES AGAIN

Sen. John Ensign earlier this month floated his pet bill to break up the sprawling 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but it was shelved on the Senate floor.

Ensign would split the circuit in two, with Nevada joining Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington in a new 12th Circuit. California, Hawaii and the Pacific territories would remain in the 9th.

The Nevada Republican argues that the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit is too large, administration of the law is too slow, and caseloads are too large for its judges.

"It needs to be split up so people, such as the people who live in the state of Nevada, can receive justice in a way that is fair and also expeditious," Ensign said.

But for more than a decade there has been little consensus in the West over what should be done.

Ensign tried to get his bill added as an amendment to a court security bill. California's senators opposed it. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said it would strain federal judges in the state.

The amendment's fate probably was sealed when fellow Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania spoke up against it.

Specter, the ranking GOP member of the Judiciary Committee, said the 9th Circuit "is admittedly too large at the present time, but we have a lot of analysis to do as to which states ought to be in which divisions. We are not ripe for action."

Ensign's amendment was ruled out of order on procedural grounds and was not brought to a vote.

PRESIDENTIAL TIDBIT I

Democratic political consultant Dave Thomas came on board with Chris Dodd's presidential campaign last week. He will serve as a senior adviser to the Connecticut senator's Nevada campaign.

Thomas last year managed Kim Wallin's successful campaign for state treasurer and has worked on other campaigns, many for judicial candidates. His presidential campaign experience goes all the way back to 1988, when he worked in Iowa for the late former Sen. Paul Simon.

Thomas won't be a full-time staffer for Dodd but said he expects to spend about half his time as a consultant to the campaign.

PRESIDENTIAL TIDBIT II

The Democrats who traveled to Northern Nevada over the weekend would have loved to woo the teachers union while they were there.

Both Hillary Clinton and John Edwards hoped to speak to the Nevada State Education Association delegates who were gathered in Carson City on Sunday for their annual assembly. But they were turned away.

"With our packed agenda, we just couldn't accommodate any presidential candidates," the union's spokeswoman, Claudia Briggs, said.

But the association is looking for another opportunity, she said.

"We're thinking about having something in the very near future, perhaps the first week of school, so more of our members can attend and take part in this important discussion," Briggs said.

Clinton spoke to a group of teachers union members in Las Vegas in February.

Review-Journal writer Keith Rogers and Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault contributed to this report. Contact political reporter Molly Ball at 387-2919 or MBall@reviewjournal.com.