Guinn, others to back Bush

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn flies to Salt Lake City today to join five other Western governors in endorsing Texas Gov. George W. Bush for president.

Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt and three other lieutenant governors from the West also will announce their support for Bush at a news conference Wednesday at the Marriott Hotel.

Guinn's press secretary Jack Finn said Guinn has met with Bush several times, and he (Guinn) is impressed with his "commitment to education and lower taxes."

Guinn says Bush has "done a great job in Texas," Finn said.

Guinn's Chief of Staff Pete Ernaut said the governor will be general chairman of the Bush campaign in Nevada.

He said with Guinn's announcement, "I think you will see a tremendous list of people who will be backing Bush" in Nevada in the next few weeks.

Ernaut said there's been "some hay made" about Bush's opposition to gambling. "But that's been blown out of proportion," Ernaut said. Bush has no problem with gambling in Las Vegas or Atlantic City, but he's not in favor of the proliferation of gaming nationwide.

"This is not harmful to Nevada," Ernaut said.

Concerns, however, were raised earlier this year about Bush's criticism of the industry when he released a report rapping illegal gambling in Texas.

Bush also has made several derogatory remarks about Las Vegas-style gambling in his home state.

Top Nevada Republicans have been working behind the scenes to persuade the Texas governor to clarify his remarks.

Asked about Bush's popularity in Nevada, Ernaut said the polls he has seen show his numbers are "fantastic." But he did not disclose any figures.

Guinn will join Jim Geringer of Wyoming, Dirk Kempthorne of Idaho, Mike Leavitt of Utah, Bill Owens of Colorado and Marc Racicot of Montana in the public endorsement.

Hunt and the lieutenant governors of Colorado, Montana and Utah will publicly announce their support.

While Guinn and Hunt are out of the state, Sen. Lawrence Jacobsen, R-Minden, the president pro-temp of the Senate, will be acting governor.

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