Republican stalwart Bruce James says Ensign’s Senate seat is safe

Bruce James says you can count him out as a possible replacement for embattled Sen. John Ensign.

As he sat Wednesday on the deck of his historic home on the shores of Lake Tahoe, James swore he hadn't been seriously approached by anyone attempting to prepare him to fill in if Ensign should resign before his term ends. That multi-sourced rumor circulated last week from Carson City to Las Vegas.

Ensign's recent announcement that he'd had an affair with a former campaign staffer generated speculation about whether there was more bad news in the GOP senator's future. His admission ended any thoughts he entertained about a run for the White House or, as one political source suggested to me, a spot as a vice-presidential running mate.

Wednesday afternoon on Jon Ralston's "Face to Face" TV program, Doug Hampton alleged Ensign had paid Cindy Hampton more than $25,000 in "severance" after she left her job as treasurer of the senator's re-election fund and political action committee. Through a spokesperson, Ensign called Hampton's allegation inaccurate.

On Thursday, Ensign's parents said they gave the Hamptons a $96,000 "gift" after learning of the affair.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington has filed an ethics complaint against Ensign and called for the Department of Justice to open a criminal investigation.

Meanwhile, James denies being part of any serious discussion to prepare a replacement for Ensign. James also denies that a meeting to discuss the subject took place last week in Northern Nevada.

Should Ensign decide to resign, the duty of making an appointment would go to James' friend, Gov. Jim Gibbons. The governor appointed James chairman of the Nevada Spending and Government Efficiency Committee and was extremely pleased with the commission's efforts. James says he spoke to Gibbons on Tuesday and "the subject never came up."

James is certain Ensign's job is safe. "I can't believe he won't finish that term," he says. "I believe John should finish that term. I haven't given it a serious moment of thought. I don't believe that that's even a possibility. John's done a great job as a U.S. senator for Nevada."

James knows his way around Washington. He's the former U.S. printer.

As for the "three or four people" who "kiddingly" have approached him about his political plans, James says they "must not know my wife very well. Nora's had it with elective politics. I have no reason to believe he won't finish out his term. I think he should. I sent him a note to that effect."

With that, noncandidate James returned to the business of enjoying the view from his deck.

JACKSON INSIGHT: Las Vegas writer and activist Trish Geran has her own personal perspective on Michael Jackson and his family. While researching a magazine article in 2003, she landed an interview with Michael's father, Joe Jackson, and later visited Neverland Ranch.

Part of the interview centered on a failed effort two decades earlier to bring a Jackson Museum to the Strip while Michael's "Thriller" album was on its way to selling 70 million copies.

Whatever awe the King of Pop generated in the entertainment world was lost on the power brokers who controlled Las Vegas, Geran says. No room on the Strip was available, Joe says he was told, for a Jackson museum.

"The county offered him the old Vegas Village building ... in an old dingy area," Geran says. "Joe was then offered the Silver Nugget. Both places were a slap in the Jackson family's face. I interviewed Joe in June 2003 for a magazine and confirmed these concerns.

"Also, during my interview with Joe, Michael called several times playing with him on the phone. Michael was just accused of the second molestation charges. I mentioned to Joe that every time Michael was in deep trouble, he seemed to always run to him. He was surprised that I noticed that."

Geran's Jackson family insights are included in her latest book, "It Happened in Las Vegas -- The Tales You Thought You Knew," from Stephens Press.

ON THE BOULEVARD: Philadelphia Phillies center fielder and Las Vegas resident Shane Victorino is making headlines for campaigning to be named to the National League All-Star team. Even Mayor Oscar Goodman endorsed Victorino.

Thursday afternoon Victorino learned he had been voted in.

John L. Smith's column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. E-mail him at Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295. He also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/smith/.