Rep. Jim Gibbons is among those involved in a modest election-year skirmish in Washington. Gibbons, vice chair of the House Resources Committee, is one of three Republican members quoted in an online committee news release that some believe blurred the boundaries between policy disagreements and political advocacy.
Under the banner headline, "That black stuff is hurting us" (a quote from Sen. John Kerry on the subject of petroleum), the release blasts the presumptive Democratic nominee as "completely out of touch with basic economics … a hostage to the radical environmental community." Subheads include "There is a lot of American Life in a barrel of the 'black stuff'" and "But is this just another flip-flop?"
"It's the do-nothing attitude that's hurting us," Gibbons is quoted, regarding proposed oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). "We are more dependent on foreign oil than ever before," continues the congressman, recipient of a 5 percent rating from the League of Conservation Voters. (The "radical" Kerry got a 53 percent League rating for 2003.)
The Resources Committee release caught the attention of Washington Post political columnist Al Kamen, who covered it on Monday, March 15, then again two days later. Kamen initially concluded that the document, which included a quote from Bush campaign flack Steve Schmidt, didn't appear to transgress House rules.
Forty-eight hours later Kamen reversed field, writing that "the use of government Web sites for political purposes … does appear to be against House rules." Kamen appended a rulebook quote that "The misuse of the funds and other resources … may result in not only disciplinary action by the House, but also in criminal prosecution.
"From our perspective," says Kerry's Senate communications director, Andy Davis, "they were using a government website to move what was essentially campaign material."
Resources Committee Communications Director Brian Kennedy pooh-poohed Kamen's remarks, saying, "I think Al had about four or five lines he had to fill in his column that day and why not throw a few of those in there?" However, the Schmidt quote had vanished from the Web page by Wednesday.
Committee Press Secretary Nicol Andrews maintains that singling out one senator (who happens to be running for President) is policy as usual. " There are a few obstructionists in the Senate who are holding [up] a nation's ability to craft good policy for our energy future," she says. "Senator Kerry happens to be one of the most vocal."
Gibbons' own press secretary, Amy Spanbauer, echoes the chastisement of the Senate, adding that the House of Representatives has "praised those who are working toward an energy package and we've expressed our frustration with those who have not." As for Gibbons' own higher political ambitions in 2006 (which have been variously rumored to encompass Harry Reid's Senate seat and the Nevada governorship), Spanbauer testily remarks, "future decisions will be made at a future time about other political aspirations."
One seasoned Nevada political observer, however, thinks that the only thing that would keep Gibbons from running to succeed Kenny Guinn would be if the congressman can achieve the chairmanship of the House Intelligence Committee, presently held by Rep. Porter Goss (R-Florida). Even though Lieutenant Governor Lorraine Hunt is already in the race, the source says the singer/restaurateur "will not be a factor."
This "black stuff" mini-flap is not the first occasion on which Gibbons has drawn attention for mixing policy and politicking. In November 1999, he and then-Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R-Idaho) summoned various Forest Service officials to defend Federal opposition to a controversial road-building project near Elko. Forest Services representatives balked at testifying, partly because the controversy was in litigation at the time, partly for fear of a "public inquisition." The hearing, held in Elko, was piggybacked onto a Gibbons-Chenoweth fundraiser. (Chenoweth's husband was suing the Forest Service at the time.)
Senior state Democratic leaders faulted the much-publicized Gibbons-Chenoweth appearance as political grandstanding that might exacerbate an already tense situation in northern Nevada. While denying that he had former pilot Gibbons in mind, then-Sen. Richard Bryan advised all involved to "cool their jets."