Redefining the pact?

It's getting to be difficult to tell what's in bounds and what's out of bounds when it comes to that "nonaggression treaty" between Nevada's senators. Or whether the boundaries get stretched at times.

Sen. John Ensign insisted today he did not cross the line when he reportedly told fellow Republican Barbara Vucanovich, "We need to beat Harry Reid," in a telephone call persuading the former congresswoman to endorse Sharron Angle.

Since Ensign was elected to the Senate in 2001, he and Reid, a Democrat, have rarely voted alike on national issues. But both have acknowledged a relationship in which they don't criticize each other in public for the sake of preserving a goal of working together on Nevada issues.

That drives partisans of both parties nuts, as they push the senators to take off the kid gloves and highlight their differences already.

So Reid was not happy to read Ensign's remarks. He told political analyst Jon Ralston in an interview on Friday that he called Ensign, and "we had a conversation."

Without confirming his exact words, Ensign insisted today he did not criticize Reid in his conversation with Vucanovich.

"I didn't say anything, even in the private conversation," Ensign said. "I never criticized him. I don't criticize Senator Reid and I did not criticize him then."

"As a matter of fact, I said positive things about Senator Reid in that conversation with Barbara," Ensign said. "I just said his party is doing damage to our country."

In any case, Ensign maintained that tugging on Reid's cape is within bounds of their deal. Reid backed Jack Carter in his challenge to Ensign in 2006, and Ensign said he is doing the same now in backing Angle.

"I am just campaigning for his opponent," Ensign said. "That is okay to do. That is part of the agreement and has been from the beginning."