Beers renews demand for debates with front-runner Gibbons

State Sen. Bob Beers renewed his challenge Tuesday to Rep. Jim Gibbons to join him in "17 debates in 17 counties."

He made the same challenge three weeks ago but said Gibbons has refused to participate.

"No more excuses," said Beers. "Nevada voters still don't really know where he stands."

He said Gibbons appears to be ducking the issues because he has no fiscal plan.

"He says 'trust me,' but does not deliver any financial plan to earn that trust."

Beers said his proposal is the Tax and Spending Control constitutional amendment which would cap governmental spending growth at population plus inflation.

Gibbons spokesman Robert Uithoven said the congressman has agreed to one primary campaign debate which will be broadcast statewide Aug. 4 on public TV. He said Gibbons will consider additional debates depending on his schedule.

"I think Jim Gibbons has much different time constraints in this campaign than his opponents," he said. He said Gibbons has attended campaign events throughout the state but will limit campaign debates until after the close of candidate filing in May.

"History has shown it's not always wise to agree to debate candidates before filing is closed," he said pointing out that Jan Jones filed the last day against Kenny Guinn in 1998. "Jim gibbons is anxious to debate his opponents and we'll do it as soon as we know who his opponents are but he has a full-time day job he was elected to and we have to balance that out with campaigning."

Beers issued the renewed call after Gibbons last week came out against the Tax and Spending Control amendment saying government can't be run by formula and that there are too many potential problems with the amendment as drafted.

Beers pointed out it took Gibbons 57 days to make that decision, and when he did, he failed to offer any specifics, solutions or alternative ideas.

"The voters deserve more than Washington, (D.C.) double talk, empty promises and platitudes. They deserve a leader who is willing to discuss the issues, not hide behind special interests," said Beers.

Beers is the key sponsor of the tax amendment and is the only one of five candidates - three Republicans and two Democrats - to support it.

The debate fight reared its head the same day as Gibbons announced a major endorsement - by the Nevada Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business.

NFIB is the nation's largest small business advocacy group with some 600,000 members nationwide and about 4,500 small business representatives in Nevada.

"The NFIB, its member businesses, and their owners and employees can be sure that I will work to keep taxes low in Nevada," said Gibbons thanking the organization.

Randall C. Robison, director of Nevada's NFIB, said Gibbons won the endorsement for his "consistent record of supporting and defending the interests of small business during your service in the Nevada Legislature and the United States Congress."

Gibbons and Beers are two of the three Republicans in the gubernatorial race. The third is Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt.

The Democrats in the race are Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson and State Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus of Las Vegas.

• Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.