Gibbons files for second term, blasts Clinton

CARSON CITY -- Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., says he believes "something went on" between President Clinton and Monica Lewinsky, but the issue is not whether Clinton had sex with the former White House intern.

"The White House ought to be embarrassed," Gibbons told reporters Monday as he filed for a second term for the Congressional District 2, which includes all of Nevada except the core of Las Vegas and Henderson.

"I don't think anybody who reads the newspapers has any doubt that something went on between the President and Monica Lewinsky," he said. "But Congress is concerned whether he has lied or obstructed justice."

Gibbons, 53, said he has "never seen a greater effort to hide the truth" since Watergate.

Gibbons defended Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr, saying he was also independent counsel in the investigation of Republican Sen. Robert Packwood's sexual harassment case. The Democrats, Gibbons said, never complained then about Starr's tactics.

In filing for a second-term, Gibbons took himself out of a potential challenge against Sen. Dick Bryan, D-Nev., in two years.

"I like being a Congressman," he said. "It's the same pay ...."

So far, no one has announced against Gibbons.

"I can't imagine any party allowing a seat to go unchallenged," he said.

According to the latest voter count for the district, Republicans outnumber Democrats 227,196 to 185,352.

Gibbons said he has the support of fellow Rep. John Ensign, R-Nev., and House Speaker Newt Gingrich for a bill to prohibit taxing meals given to casino workers.

He also said he wants to protect the mining and gaming industries from "being taxed out of business," and he agrees with Clinton that any budget surplus should first be used to shore up Social Security.

Gibbons already has $250,000 to $300,000 collected in campaign funds, adding his budget for the campaign will be $750,000.

Gibbons' wife, Dawn, is running for the Assembly in Reno. Since Gibbons returns every weekend from Washington, D.C., he said he didn't see the arrangement causing any problems for their marriage and family life.

Besides, she and their children had had enough of Washington, Gibbons said.

"The school system was so bad," he said, "we ran back to Nevada."

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