Columnist Jeff German: Miller looking to pitch Las Vegas in Europe, South America

WHEN YOU'RE GOOD at something, you tend to want to keep doing it.

It would not be a stretch to conclude that Gov. Bob Miller is good at using the prestige of his office to persuade the major airlines to bring more tourists to Southern Nevada.

Earlier this month, Japan Airlines, the largest international air carrier in Japan, announced it was starting twice-weekly nonstop service from Tokyo to Las Vegas.

The announcement, though it had been anticipated for a long time, was made during Miller's trip to Japan, which is considered Southern Nevada's leading overseas market.

It gave the governor reason to proclaim his visit a success. But more importantly, it lifted the spirits of tourism officials looking for ways to fill 15,000 to 20,000 new hotel rooms in the next three years.

Now, the governor wants to perform the same magic in other international markets.

In an interview last week, Miller said he hopes to lead similar Las Vegas contingents to Europe and South America, two more promising markets, in the remaining six months of his term in office.

The European trip, which could involve stops in Germany, France and Great Britain, is being tentatively set for October. That would be followed by the trek to South America to explore markets in Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela.

Miller said he hopes to continue working closely with tourism officials in the coming weeks.

"I told them that whatever I can do in the next six months to help bring more people to Nevada, especially Las Vegas ... I'm willing to do," Miller said.

Speculation is the governor may seek to continue those efforts as a private citizen after he leaves office.

Miller said he expects to move back to Las Vegas in January to practice law and do some government relations consulting. He and his wife, Sandy, are looking to build a new home here.

Many believe most of Miller's consulting work will involve the casino industry, long one of his biggest political supporters. Miller's father was a successful gaming operator and many of the governor's friends now own casinos.

Indeed, with his state, national and international contacts, Miller could have some valuable services to offer the industry, which has plenty of money to spend.

Steps apparently are being taken to ensure that the governor's ties to the industry remain strong.

His chief of staff, Jim Mulhall, is said to be in line for a job at the Nevada Resort Association, the industry's political arm in Nevada.

Some believe Mulhall, who has a wealth of government knowledge, could be groomed to succeed NRA President Richard Bunker, who has talked about retiring in recent years.

Last week, by no small surprise, Miller let it be known that he supports Mulhall's move to the NRA.

"If that should happen, it's a good match," Miller said. "He would do a great job for them, and they would be fortunate to have him."

In December, meanwhile, tourism officials hope to send the governor into retirement with much fanfare.

Plans are being made to honor Miller at a star-studded banquet at what will be the newly opened Bellagio megaresort.

President Clinton, the governor's friend, has been invited to make a special appearance. The president has put the banquet on his schedule.

It will be the perfect send-off for a departing governor looking to start a new career in the private sector.

You can be sure that politics, however, will remain close to Miller's heart until then.

The governor reiterated last week that he supports the Democratic candidacy of Las Vegas Mayor Jan Laverty Jones in the race to succeed him.

He said he expects Jones, who would do a "great job as governor," will easily defeat state Sen. Joe Neal of North Las Vegas in the Democratic primary.

Even if Jones ends up running against his good friend, Republican businessman Kenny Guinn, in the general election, Miller said, he'll still back the mayor.

Just how hard, however, remains to be seen.

Guinn, you'll recall, worked on both of Miller's campaigns for governor, including the one in which Jones lost to Miller in the primary.

"I have nothing bad to say about Kenny Guinn," Miller said. "In fact to the contrary, I think he's an extremely good person and a great candidate who would make a great governor."

Miller, it seems, also is very good at playing politics.

archive