Columnist Jeff German: Guinn-Russo debate talk just political posturing

DON'T GET TOO EXCITED waiting for that debate between Republican gubernatorial candidates Kenny Guinn and Aaron Russo.

Odds are it won't happen before Tuesday's primary election.

Both candidates, hitting each other in attacks ads on television, seem incapable of getting together on the same forum within the next week. Both traded insults in writing on Monday.

"The likelihood of a meaningful debate is highly improbable," Guinn Campaign Manager Peter Ernaut said. "I don't think Aaron Russo is sincere about wanting to debate."

Russo declined to respond to Ernaut.

But he faxed a letter to Guinn, accusing his opponent of hiding behind his "political spinmeisters" and trying to "erect artificial barriers" to the debate.

Guinn, said to be ahead in the polls, then issued a statement blasting Russo and indicating he won't participate in a Russo-created "circus sideshow."

"After witnessing Mr. Russo's antics over the past few days, it is obvious that he has no intention of engaging us in a serious professional debate and is using this proposal as nothing more than a thinly veiled and desperate publicity stunt," Guinn said.

Russo, Guinn added, is "incapable of conducting himself in a civilized or professional manner."

What caused Guinn and Ernaut to be skeptical of Russo's motives was a series of events late Friday after Russo had issued his challenge.

Within several hours after Guinn had agreed to participate, Ernaut said, Russo began airing television ads and telephoning Republicans chastising Guinn for ducking a face-to-face meeting.

"This is just another example of how Aaron Russo is willing to distort the facts and make a mockery of this election," Ernaut said. "We're running for governor here. We're not arm-wrestling."

Guinn's only condition was that Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren, who's also in the race, be included in the debate.

That, however, raised Russo's ire.

"This is another attempt to dilute what could be an important event for the voters," Russo wrote Guinn. "I have the utmost respect and admiration for Dr. Hammargren, but let's be honest. Both you and I know that we are the only two people who can win the Republican nomination.

"I am sure this is just another trick cooked up by your political machine."

In the meantime, Bruce Westcott, another GOP candidate, put the word out that he has earned the right to participate in a debate.

At the moment, it's a debate that has as much chance of happening as President Clinton shaking hands with Kenneth Starr.

The New York Times is calling the race between Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Rep. John Ensign, R-Nev., "one of the most important to watch" this campaign season.

The paper this week pointed out the negative campaigning by both sides as an indication of what's at stake.

Ensign, the Times said, is "unusually well positioned" to fight it out in Las Vegas, the key political battleground in Nevada.

Reid, meanwhile, picked up some key GOP support over the weekend.

Confidantes of former Sen. Paul Laxalt, R-Nev., threw a fund-raiser for Reid at Sonny's Saloon Saturday night.

Among those on hand were Laxalt's brother, John Laxalt and such Laxalt loyalists as Wayne Pearson, Jerry Dondero and Ace Robison.

Being the influential Republican that he is, Laxalt himself isn't likely to come out publicly for Reid.

But it's no secret that Laxalt and Reid have been close in recent years. Reid lost to Laxalt in 1974 in his first bid for the Senate.

Some dirty politicking, reported in this space last week, has caught the eye of the secretary of state's office.

Officials are trying determine who's behind a sleazy campaign mailer that links County Commission candidate Dario Herrera to the ethics troubles of Commissioners Yvonne Atkinson Gates and Lance Malone.

Herrera gave up his assembly seat to run for the County Commission. He's one of seven candidates looking to succeed Lorraine Hunt, who's running for lieutenant governor.

The mailer is attributed to one of Herrera's opponents, Tom Chickory, but it strangely misspells Chickory's name and campaign address.

Those in the know have a pretty good idea who's really behind the attack piece.

But will the secretary of state be able to nail the culprit? Stay tuned.

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