GOP takes its first shot at Porter’s Democratic foe

It's been a couple of weeks since the Democrat expected to be Rep. Jon Porter's opponent next November launched his candidacy, but the race may have really begun Wednesday.

In a press release, the National Republican Congressional Committee blasted former prosecutor Robert Daskas as unprepared to serve.

Such missives are common from the party committees; the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee frequently issues criticisms of Porter, and Republican committees often go after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

But Wednesday's news release is the Republicans' first salvo specifically aimed at Daskas, and gives an indication of a possible campaign theme.

Porter himself has said he's not going to comment on any challenger until after the August primary; but the national party committees, who both see this as one of their top 10 battles next year, have made no such promises. Much of the race is likely to be conducted by proxy.

Wednesday's NRCC statement attacked Daskas based on a local columnist's assertion four days ago that the candidate isn't ready for prime time. Jon Ralston, host of TV's "Face to Face," noted that Daskas, in an interview on the show, refused to go into specifics on some issues, such as what should be done about the millions of illegal immigrants currently living in the United States.

"Robert Daskas obviously doesn't understand the magnitude and importance of the issues that members of Congress deal with, nor the serious implications a representative's decisions carry for the people of Nevada," NRCC spokeswoman Jessica Boulanger said. "Daskas should have done his homework before he decided to launch a long-shot bid for Congress."

Daskas' campaign manager, Heather Urban, responded that Daskas' legal skills spoke to his ability to deal with issues.

"For the past 12 years as a prosecutor, Robert made tough, independent decisions every day, and he will continue to do so in Congress," she said. "Robert has made it clear that he will make very different choices than Jon Porter, and he believes that we must take this country in a different direction."

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also weighed in, calling Porter "a career politician committed to the status quo" and calling the Republican shot at Daskas an indication of desperation.

Democratic spokesman Doug Thornell disagreed with the contention that Daskas lacked knowledge of issues and said he believed the candidate had answered questions straightforwardly and in detail in the TV interview.

Porter in 2006 eked out a win against 30-year-old former Reid staffer Tessa Hafen, with less than 50 percent of the vote and by a margin of less than 4,000 votes. House District 3, closely divided between Democrats and Republicans, contains large numbers of nonpartisan voters.

However, Republicans this week were buoyed by wins in two special congressional elections and are hoping that's a sign that the 2008 election won't be another 2006, in which Democrats took over both houses of Congress.

Porter spokesman Matt Leffingwell said of the Republican missive, "Independent campaign committees are free to engage whomever they like. The congressman continues to look forward to a debate on the issues that matter most to Nevada families after the Democrats have selected a nominee."