Columnist Jeff German: Death of paycheck protection clears decks for Guinn

THE DEATH OF THE GOP's paycheck protection initiative has many people smiling in political and labor circles.

But the main proponent of the aborted campaign, Nevada Republican Party Chairman John Mason, may encounter some fallout for striking a deal with organized labor to kill the measure.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Aaron Russo, a supporter of the anti-labor initiative, says he's considering a drive to recall Mason.

Russo, who has a strong presence on the state and Clark County GOP central committees, says he's received "tons of calls" from Republicans all over the state who are angry at Mason.

"The rank-and-file people want paycheck protection, and he unilaterally stopped it," Russo says. "I feel it's almost my duty to (recall Mason), but I'm in the middle of a campaign and I have to weigh the consequences of it."

Mason, who could not be reached for comment, had been receiving pressure from both sides, as the battle raged over paycheck protection. The initiative would have required unions to get the permission of their members before using dues for political purposes.

Russo and Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren, another GOP gubernatorial candidate, and prominent GOP donor Sheldon Adelson all had been urging him to stay the course.

But other top Republicans, including Kenny Guinn, the well-financed front-runner in the governor's race, had been pressuring Mason to call off the campaign.

In the end, Guinn's campaign manager, Pete Ernaut, ended up being one of the key brokers of the deal that led to the initiative's ceremonious death.

Casino lobbyist Billy Vassiliadis and Culinary Union leader D. Taylor also played big roles in the unprecedented negotiations behind the scenes.

The deal removes a contentious issue for Guinn in the GOP primary. Russo and Hammargren were poised to hit Guinn hard over his failure to support the paycheck protection party line.

But now that Mason has folded, Guinn's position is the prevailing GOP line. Russo and Hammargren have lost much ammunition.

At the same time, the deal opens the door for Guinn to pursue the Nevada AFL-CIO's endorsement in the general election.

The state's largest labor organization this month left its endorsement open.

But AFL-CIO boss Blackie Evans says the 132,000-member group could decide to back a candidate after the primary at its constitutional convention at the New Frontier Sept. 13-15.

Evans, meanwhile, says the AFL-CIO's main political goal now is to help re-elect Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who's in a dogfight with Rep. John Ensign, R-Nev.

"Getting Harry re-elected is our No. 1 priority," Evans says. "We're going to put more effort into that."

National AFL-CIO leaders, who see Nevada as a place where organized labor is thriving, also have assured Reid that they're totally committed to his campaign.

Ensign's campaign manager, Mike Slanker, says he's not worried about the stepped-up efforts on the part of the labor leaders.

Slanker says Ensign enjoys widespread support among rank-and-file union members who count the most at the polls.

This week, after the paycheck protection deal was struck, Mason reacted with much relief.

"It's a victory for everyone when we walk away alive," he was quoted as saying.

Some, however, still appear bent on sending Mason to his political grave.

Boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya will headline Friday night's political fund-raiser for Harry Reid.

Fight promoter Bob Arum, the senator's good friend, helped arrange the $1,000-a-person bash, which appears designed to boost Reid's standing in the Hispanic community.

"Sen. Harry Reid will deliver a knockout punch in November with Oscar De La Hoya and you in his corner," the invitation says.

John Ensign's man, Mike Slanker, however, isn't very impressed with the event, which gets underway at 5:30 p.m. at Spanish Trail.

He stands by a quote he gave Washington's Roll Call newspaper this week.

"Usually, when politicians are scared that they're going to lose the election, they call in a heavyweight," Slanker quipped. "This is the first time I've ever heard of one calling in a lightweight."

Make that a welterweight, Mike.

But let's not quibble over a few pounds. De La Hoya isn't someone most of us would want to mess with.

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