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Jul. 08, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Heller: Republicans need to clean house

Congressman says his plans have changed

By TONY BATT
STEPHENS WASHINGTON BUREAU

Dean Heller
Former Nevada secretary of state sees GOP back in majority in next 10 years

WASHINGTON -- The Republican Party lost its majority in the House of Representatives in 2006, and is likely to lose more seats in November, but Nevada Republican Dean Heller says he doesn't think that's necessarily a bad thing.

"I'm of the position that we really need to clean house in this Republican Party, and I think the next couple of election cycles are going to do that," Heller said.

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Republicans who should be swept out, in Heller's view, include some from the historic class of 1994, which gave the GOP a majority in the House for the first time in 40 years.

"It's an old mantra: they came to change Washington, and Washington changed them," Heller said several weeks ago. "I think we got to the point where the majority of Republicans were trying to change America and tell (Americans) what they wanted instead of listening to ... what they need."

Although Heller did not mention his name, Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., was one of 73 members of the GOP freshman class of 1994 in the House. Through a spokesman, Ensign declined to comment on Heller's statement.

Heller, 48, was one of only 13 Republicans newly elected to the House in 2006, the smallest freshman GOP class since 1913.

The group frequently meets at an area Heller calls "freshman row" on the House floor.

"I think the leadership is tapping the freshman class to kind of move legislation now because it's a fresh look," Heller said. For example, Heller was chosen in May to deliver the weekly national radio address for the House Republican Conference.

A former secretary of state in Nevada, Heller acknowledged shortly after arriving in the House last year that he probably would eventually return to Nevada to run for governor.

But Heller now says his future plans have changed.

"(In Congress), you can truly make a difference in people's lives -- in the economy, in the environment, in your district," Heller said.

Not that Heller is happy about being a minority member of a Democratic-controlled House. He claims there is an obvious influence on legislation by trial lawyers, environmentalists and labor unions.

In a swipe at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., he has referred to skyrocketing gasoline prices as the "Pelosi Premium."

And although he is more willing to remain in the House, Heller is not prepared for an extended haul in the minority.

"I do believe we will be back in the majority within 10 years," he said.

But Heller does not dismiss the notion he may no longer be in the House when that happens.

In 2006, he won election to the House after prevailing in a tough Republican primary against Assemblywoman Sharron Angle by only 421 votes.

Heller went on to defeat Democrat Jill Derby, who is running against him again this year, by 5 percent of the vote.

"The upside is that I don't have a rough and tumble primary (this year), but I don't think that makes the general (election in November) any easier," Heller said.

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau reporter Tony Batt at tbatt@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760.

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Please enter your name Name: Please enter your email Email: Please enter a comment COMMENTS : (word count limit is 300) You have reached the maximum number of words allowed Current Word Count: D. Zent wrote on July 10, 2008 10:15 AM: Mr. Heller gets part of it right. If you want a clear view into how a lot of us really feel, read this: http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/20193.html Dismiss the sentiments therein at your peril, those who would lead as republicans... Karen wrote on July 10, 2008 09:25 AM: A smashing defeat will clean out the neoconservatives, the religious right fanatics, the cronies who agreed to run because they thought they'd have an easy time in Congress. It will clean out those who agreed to allow the Contstitution to be used as the backsplash in the Oval Office executive urinal. It will make the Republicans go back past Reagan to the old GOP of Barry Goldwater, part fiscal haws and part libertarians, a suitable counterpoint for the liberals who need to have a healthy opposition. The GOP needs a decade out of power both in the White House and the Capital. I agree with Heller and I admire him. Mama Bear wrote on July 08, 2008 12:39 PM: Well, guess all of the Ensign cheerleaders here (you too Herb) will end up being red-faced when some of his dirty little secrets surface one of these days. Yes, boys and girls, corruption knows no boundaries especially in the well-connected Nevada political arenas. And, Ensign is no exception . . . . Herb wrote on July 08, 2008 10:07 AM: The problem with Republicans is they are too watered down and not nearly conservative enough. It's like they are ashamed of being Republican and do everyhting they can to please libs. John Ensign is an exception. he is one of the best Republicans in the U.S. He isn't a RINO. For example, he was one of only 9 or 10 Senators who voted against the housing bailout. Most Republicans were RINO traitors and sided with the Dems to force innocent taxpayers to bailout out losing housing gamblers and failed flippers. I wrote Sen. Ensign and told him how much I appreciate that vote and how proud I am that he represents Nevada. I love John Ensign, he is everything good about a politician, we need a lot more like him. Anthony wrote on July 08, 2008 08:15 AM: "I think we got to the point where the majority of Republicans were trying to change America and tell (Americans) what they wanted instead of listening to ... what they need." That sounds like every letter I've got from John Ensign whenever I write him on an issue. To paraphrase, "STFU, sit down, and I know whats best for you." He sounded like a Democrat. Dan wrote on July 08, 2008 07:48 AM: It is about time that someone in Washington realized it is time to clean house. Ensign would be a great start. Hope the Dems pick up on the idea. Reid would be a great place for the Dems to start cleaning. MJ wrote on July 08, 2008 07:22 AM: Hey dean, how about starting to clean house locally with the Love Gov.