Nevada delegation hails address as 'powerful'

WASHINGTON -- President Clinton rose to the occasion Tuesday night, overcoming personal adversity and scandal to deliver a State of the Union address punctuated frequently by standing ovations and shouts of support from fellow Democrats.

The embattled president drew high marks from Nevada lawmakers as he sought to move beyond a salacious scandal that has endangered his presidency and damaged his legacy.

"I thought he gave a powerful performance," Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., said. "Here is a man obviously under a lot of pressure."

"There is always the question of how the president will perform while he is in the midst of an impeachment trial ... and I think he performed well," Bryan said.

In typical Clinton fashion, the president started his nationally televised speech slowly, only to grow stronger as he unveiled his vision for the next century.

Attending her first State of the Union speech, Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said Clinton was at his best when he talked about his vision for the country and discussed policies to take America into the 21st century.

"There almost was an electricity on our (Democratic) side of the chamber and tremendous enthusiasm for the president's programs and his call to action," Berkley said.

Clinton touched upon a number of issues, ranging from saving Social Security and proposing a tax credit for long-term care patients and their families to defending America from terrorist attacks and a pledge to continue U.S. efforts to help broker a Middle East peace agreement.

Senate Minority Whip Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he thought Clinton did a "good job" delivering the speech and "addressed the issues that affect the American people."

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., said Republicans and Democrats have much in common, such as a desire to save Social Security, a need to enhance the nation's educational system and protecting the country's national security.

"I thought it was a great starting point for Congress to know what the administration's goals and agenda is for the next two years," Gibbons said.

Gibbons, who voted for three articles of impeachment against Clinton last month, said it was important for Congress to show respect for the American presidency Tuesday night.

"I think Republicans were polite, dignified and rose and applauded when there were issues that Republicans could support," Gibbons said. "I don't think you could ask more from the Republican Party in Congress."

However, a small group of Republicans decided to skip Clinton's speech to protest the president's decision to address the country while the Senate decides whether to remove him from office.

Rep. Bob Barr, R-Ga., Rep. Bob Schaffer, R-Colo., and Rep. John Shadegg, R-Ariz., all decided to boycott Clinton's speech. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde, R-Ill., who is leading the House prosecution proceedings to oust Clinton, also missed the address.

A Hyde spokesman said the Illinois Republican decided not to attend the speech because he doesn't enjoy crowded areas.

Members of the Nevada delegation echoed many of the same themes Clinton highlighted during his speech that potentially could have a major impact on Nevada. Some of these subjects include tax credits for long-term care patients and stay-at-home parents, senior citizen-specific legislation, much-needed school construction funds and increased military spending.

Bryan said he thinks Democrats and Republicans are capable of working together on many critical issues including saving Social Security and expanding Medicare, but it all hinges on what happens with the impeachment trial. He said the American people have already received a "gutful" of partisanship, and it is now time to move forward.

"I would think Republicans and Democrats would want to change the perception and convince the American people that both parties can work together," Bryan said.

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