Columnist Jeff German: Democrats smiling over state GOP chairman's gaffe

DEMOCRATS ARE poking fun at John Mason's latest miscue at the helm of the Nevada Republican Party.

State Democratic Party boss Jan Jenkins sent out a news release this week needling Mason for trying to muzzle former state GOP Chairwoman Marilyn Gubler.

Mason barred Gubler, a member of the GOP's local and state central committees, from serving as a GOP spokeswoman after she apparently bucked the party line on a recent KLVX Channel 10 broadcast.

Though a devout Republican, Gubler has supported Democratic candidates in the past. She's currently backing Democratic County Commissioner Paul Christensen in his re-election bid against Republican Lance Malone.

"This rebuke for daring to speak one's mind is common practice for the Republican Party," Jenkins wrote. "While they pretend to welcome diverse points of view and different opinions, they punish anyone who utters an opposing idea."

Jenkins added: "The Democrats are always looking for dynamic, articulate, intelligent and dedicated people to join us in our effort to help build a greater America. If the Republicans don't want Marilyn Gubler, we will be glad to take her."

Mason's Gubler-bashing isn't going over all that well with key GOP movers and shakers following Mason's sometimes stormy tenure.

Many see it as a blatant attack on free speech and an attempt to restrict the media's access to the state party.

A Lake Tahoe lawyer, Mason should know better.

While indicating he no longer considers his predecessor a Republican Party spokeswoman or activist, Mason last week gave the media a list of eight people, including himself, who could speak for the party.

Two of those on the list are party bigwigs George Harris and Charles Muth, who've been known to shoot from the lip.

As it turns out, Gubler isn't the only one left off the list,

Also noticeably absent are Secretary of State Dean Heller, state Treasurer Bob Seale, State Controller Darrel Daines, Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, Assembly Republican Leader Pete Ernaut and Rep. John Ensign.

What these Republican stalwarts have to say on party matters apparently is of no value to Mason, either.

* Nevadans can look forward to seeing Bill Bible at the helm of the State Gaming Control Board for another four years.

His pending selection to a new federal gaming commission should ensure his re-appointment to the Control Board later this year.

Bible's position as the top gaming regulator in the world enhances his credibility on the part-time federal panel, which will be studying the fast-growing gambling industry over the next two years.

Gov. Bob Miller, who pushed Bible for the job, knows the importance of keeping him at the helm of the state's regulatory system during the federal gaming study.

Bible will be a steadying influence on the panel and give it the kind of expertise it needs to do its job properly.

* The Culinary Union is stepping up its assault on state Sen. Sue Lowden, R-Las Vegas.

In the remaining weeks before the general election, the union plans to flood the mail system with Lowden-bashing literature.

Lowden, locked in a bitter labor war at the Santa Fe hotel-casino, is the Culinary's No. 1 political target this year.

She's running against Democrat Valerie Wiener.

The union gives notice in its latest mailer that it intends to keep the post office busy.

Those who want to be taken off the union's mailing list are asked to return a postcard indicating that desire.

If they don't send it back, they can expect to see a lot more dirt on Lowden in the weeks ahead.

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