ENDORSE RESPONSIBLY
I call on the Nevada Republican Party to back the best candidate for governor
BY GEORGE HARRIS

George Harris is publisher of Liberty Watch: The Magazine. He is also a political activist and successful Southern Nevadan businessman. Reach Harris at gopgeorge@earthlink.net  Other stories by George Harris

The NICPAC hit the nail on the head this month when they endorsed Sen. Bob Beers for governor. What else should we expect from a true conservative group with a true conservative message for a name? NICPAC stands for Nevada Independent Conservatives Political Action Committee.

"NICPAC recognizes that your campaign for governor embraces the philosophy of individual liberty, low taxes, limited government, free market capitalism and respect for the dignity and worth of human life," NICPAC Chairman Eric Odom said. "As such, NICPAC views your election as critical to the success of the idea we share."

Makes sense. If a candidate truly shares your views, he should carry out those views in his decision-making. Believe in small government? Then vote for someone who will see to it that government control is minimized. Oftentimes what happens is people vote for a wealthy candidate who preaches a platform, but practices another. Take Jim Gibbons, for example. Jimbo has been ducking a debate with Beers and the other candidates for quite sometime. He's promised that he'll show up for a debate on a low-powered AM station in Northern Nevada, but a date has yet to be determined. 

Originally, Jimbo said he'd only debate about 10 days before the Republican primary due to his busy schedule. Right. I'm certain all the other candidates are hanging out unemployed until the election. After all, they haven't been elected to office, nor do they have full-time jobs.

Rather, the story is Jimbo is one of those candidates who preaches, but doesn't practice. He claims to be a Republican who values being fiscally conservative. Apparently, Gibbons' definition is only relevant to his environment. He's been hanging out in Washington for quite sometime now, mingling with those who know pork best. 

Compared to his colleagues, Gibbons may be fiscally conservative. But to us average Nevadans, he's far from our interpretation of that term. Otherwise, why would he oppose the Tax and Spending Control initiative, which gives the people the power to over government waste?

It took Jimbo 57 days to finally come out against the measure. I could imagine what went on in his head over those eight-plus weeks. "Gee, I've been telling Nevada I'm financially conservative since I can remember, but this TASC thing is pretty serious," Jimbo probably thought. "If I say no, I might be viewed as a hypocrite. If I say yes, Beers may be viewed as a great forward-thinking candidate who trusts his voters. I don't wanna be a follower. Golly, I guess I should say that I oppose then avoid debates until my team can come up with some good spin on this. August sounds like a good time to start debating."

Sadly, the congressman aligned himself on the side of the bureaucrats and special interests on this matter. I only hope that Jimbo has a sound answer for Nevada when he finally speaks on this important issue. I kinda would like to see it in a debate, but as long as Gibbons is reluctant to stand up and talk about the issues, any kind of forum would be fine with me. As a proud conservative, it frustrates me that I have to lower my expectations for someone who expects my vote.

Beers is the real deal. He's put his gubernatorial run on the line to ensure that TASC makes it onto the ballot. While most candidates have to concentrate on one campaign during an election year, Beers is focusing on two because he cares about his home state.

As Beers manages to keep sanity with two election items critical to Nevada - TASC and his gubernatorial run - Jimbo has difficulty finding time for one. That's why NICPAC's decision to endorse Beers meant a lot to me as a voter. 

They are independent thinkers who put their name behind a candidate who is behind them. As a Republican, I only wish my party would come out and back a candidate who backs our beliefs and platform.

That's why this month, inspired by NICPAC, I call on the Nevada Republican Party to endorse a candidate who truly values conservative ideals. While Gibbons parades around Washington claiming he has too many other things to do like debate before an audience he hopes to one day govern, our party should send a clear message to this daydreamer. 

Endorse responsibly. Endorse Beers. LW