Saying Good-Bye to "Nevada Caucus 2008"

It's been a fun time writing this blog but today I'm saying good-bye to "Nevada Caucus 2008". As you have probably noticed I launched My Silver State - Nevada's first progressive community blog - last week. While some consider me the "German blog magnate" (never had a nickname, thanks Gleaner!), I really do have my limits.

I will continue writing about the Nevada Caucus, only at a different venue - My Silver State. There you can also enjoy other viewpoints and "join the conversation" (as Hillary would say) by registering and writing comments and diaries.

That said, I will continue to write from time to time on my first blog, Turn Tahoe Blue, as I also cover California politics there. Furthermore, Helluva Heller will continue to run as a one stop spot for everything Heller and I will cross-post most of what I write there to My Silver State.

Nevada Caucus 2008 will however not be deleted - for archival reasons.

Thank you for reading my blog and commenting here. I hope to see you at My Silver State!

Introducing My Silver State - A Community Blog for Nevada

Nevada's blogosphere is diverse and bigger than one might assume. However, thus far there has not been a community blog for Democrats and progressives. This is about to change.

Today, My Silver State has been launched. My Silver State is a community blog for progressive Nevadans. Think Daily Kos, only in small and silver/blue.

Anyone who wishes to help elect Democrats in Nevada and anyone who would like to advance progressive causes in Nevada is welcome to register, comment and write diaries.

In the end it's up to you to make both My Silver State and Nevada your Silver State.

Elizabeth Edwards to Open Campaign's Reno Office

While John Edwards will be in Vegas today, his wife Elizabeth will be in Reno on Sunday to open the campaign's office there. From a campaign email:

Reno Office Opening with Elizabeth Edwards
Sunday, July 15th at 12 noon
Edwards for President Reno Office
700 Smithridge Dr. Suite 101
Reno, NV
RSVP here: http://johnedwards.com/r/21763/402397/

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Do you live in Nevada and are a supporter of John Edwards then join Nevada for John Edwards group at the Democratic Party's PartyBuilder social networking site.

Obama to Attend House Party in LV on Friday

The LVRJ reports that Obama will be in Las Vegas tomorrow:

The Illinois senator will attend a "house party" in western Las Vegas on Friday afternoon, hosted by some local supporters. It is open only to invitees, of which there will be only a couple hundred or so, rather than the large crowds that have attended Obama's previous public appearances in the state.

The hosts of the event are local couple Yvette and Damone Williams, who will open their home on Redwood Street, just off Rainbow Boulevard between Desert Inn Road and Sahara Avenue, to Obama and a group of potential Nevada Democratic caucus-goers.

The setting will allow Obama to "have a real conversation and dialogue with them, to engage with the issues in sort of a casual environment," campaign spokeswoman Liz Oxhorn said.

Prior to the 1 p.m. event, Obama will spend the morning in political meetings with Nevadans, she said.

It seems like this will be the big Nevada week of the presidential candidates as Edwards, Richardson and Dodd will also come in the next couple of days.

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Do you live in Nevada and are a supporter of Barack Obama? Then join the Nevada for Barack Obama group at the Democratic Party's PartyBuilder social networking site.

Richardson First Candidate to Visit Elko

Who will be the first presidential candidate to venture into Nevada's rurals? Most, if not all, candidates have been to Las Vegas, Reno, and Carson City by now. A few have travelled a little further inland from Reno and Carson, and Dodd was the first to leave Las Vegas and visit Pahrump.

However, thus far no candidate has gone further than that. Bill Richardson will not only be the first Democratic presidential candidate to visit Elko this Friday, he'll also be the first Democratic presidential candidate to visit Elko in 50 years. This is important news, not only for Elko and rural Democrats, but also for Richardson who needs to do very well in Nevada's caucuses. Visiting Elko will certainly be a first step.

Before travelling to Elko, Richardson will open his Reno campaign office.

Here are the details:

RENO - Please join Governor Richardson for the Grand Opening celebration of his Reno office.

When: 11:30am, Fri., July 13
Where: 418 Cheney St. Reno

ELKO - Governor Richardson will be the first Democratic Presidential Candidate to Visit Elko in 50 years.

When: 1:30pm, Friday, July 13
Where: The Old Airport Terminal off of Mountain City Highway, Elko, NV

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Do you live in Nevada and are a supporter of Bill Richardson? Then join the Nevada for Bill Richardson group at the Democratic Party's PartyBuilder social networking site.

Hillary Wows Nevada Democrats - Why Endorsements are Important

Hillary Clinton scored another couple of endorsements, mostly low-key this time but including the first rural one. The LVRJ:

Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign says it will announce another batch of endorsements from Nevada elected officials today.

If it seems like you've read this story before, it's because Clinton's Nevada campaign is racking up practically all the endorsements of prominent Democrats, from state officers to county commissioners to legislators to city council members.

Coming on board today will be Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Barlow, North Las Vegas City Councilwoman Stephanie Smith and Dennis Keating, president of the Nye County School Board.

They follow a trail blazed by Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid and since trodden by such Democratic notables as former Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa, former Gov. Bob Miller, state Sen. Dina Titus, Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani, state Treasurer Kate Marshall and long lists of business leaders and activists in the Hispanic, black and Asian communities.

Some of the more interesting endorsements are still out there, as thus far most Democratic members of the state legislature have yet to endorse any candidate. Washoe County's Democratic Assembly members are recounting their experiences to the Reno Gazette-Journal's Ray Hagar:

"It was very exciting to check my voice mail and have a message from Hillary Clinton," Leslie said. "She left me her cell number and her office number. You can't help but be star struck when national candidates of that caliber are calling you on your cell phone. That has never happened to most of us in Nevada.

[...]

Bobzien is a prime example of the push to get the legislators. He's just coming off his first term in the Assembly but was given the honor, usually reserved for a party bigwig, to introduce Edwards, a former U.S. senator from North Carolina, during his recent presidential campaign stop in Reno.

"It was pretty exciting, and I certainly had butterflies in my stomach when I did it," Bobzien said.

Of course, butterflies are not a criteria for choosing a presidential candidate, so David Bobzien has asked his constituents to let him know their opinion on his blog. The original post already has four comments to it, all by Hillary Clinton supporters:

“Oh yeah, the caucus.” Phone and email messages from supporters, surrogates and even the candidates themselves were already stacking up and reminded me that the next part of my new job as a politician had already begun. Nevada’s Democratic Presidential Caucus was in full swing and it was time for me to hop aboard. Candidates are campaigning hard, and they’re asking for my support.

Having met six of the eight Democratic candidates for President, read books written or suggested by many of them, and followed news of the campaign, I would have thought my choices for President would be clear by now. But here’s the thing…

I have no idea who I’ll ultimately support for President.

That’s where you come in. I need your help.

David Bobzien also posted an email from a Richardson supporter. Meanwhile, the Clinton campaign explains the importance of these endorsements:

"Having an early caucus in Nevada is new," said Hilarie Grey, state press secretary for Clinton. "So, when you have people in Assembly districts who run grassroots campaigns, who really know their district, its people and their issues, those are the kind of people who you want working in your campaign."

The campaigns are not just after the representatives endorsements. They also want their organizational skills.

"It is important to keep in mind that you need people who are good at organizing, who are grassroots advocates who will bring a caucus together," said Adam Bozzi, Nevada press secretary for the John Edwards campaign. "Our big focus is trying to make sure that we have people who know how to organize."

Added Grey: "At least in the Clinton campaign, we are not looking for symbolic endorsements. We are looking for people with great knowledge of Nevada and great grassroots networking that can help Nevada."

And the Clinton people certainly know how to wow Nevada Democrats. The Nevada Dem blog reported on Tuesday:

The major presidential campaigns were well represented by articulate, passionate and committed staffers. Hillary Clinton knocked everyone’s socks off with a magnificent, very personalized video message to the group –- boutique marketing at its zenith!

And Molly Ball of the LVRJ also took notice of this:

At a recent party Central Committee meeting in Elko, all the candidates sent representatives. But Clinton sent a personalized video in which she mentioned many party insiders and staffers by name.

"People were standing there with their mouths open," the official said.

"They couldn't believe Hillary Clinton said their name. They all wanted copies of the video."

And there would be a lot of copies to go around. Judge for yourself. The campaign has posted the video on its website.

Of course, all this has a little side-effect - expectations:

A prominent Democratic insider who hasn't endorsed a candidate said some of the national campaigns were leery of committing too many resources to Nevada's first-time caucus effort if Clinton already has it sown up.

That, the insider said, could hurt the credibility of the new effort and diminish its significance in early-state momentum.

"In D.C., they think it (Nevada) is hers to lose, so they are not paying as much attention to Nevada as they could be."

Another side-effect was mentioned by the Las Vegas Gleaner - that Nevada might be perceived as Clinton's to lose. Is it?

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Do you live in Nevada and are a supporter of Hillary Clinton? Then join the Nevada for Hillary Clinton group at the Democratic Party's PartyBuilder social networking site.

Chris Dodd to Tour Nevada July 12 & 13

Chris Dodd, the only candidate so far to campaign in the rurals (in Pahrump), will come for another swing through Nevada next week with events in Las Vegas, Reno, and Carson City:

Dodd will be on hand to open his campaign's Las Vegas office on Thursday at 5:45 p.m. The office is at 801 South Valley View Blvd., one block south of Sahara Avenue. The public is welcome.

After the office opening, the Connecticut senator will stay in Las Vegas for a private fundraiser.

On Friday, he travels to Northern Nevada, meeting with Culinary union workers in Reno in the morning; having a picnic lunch for members of the public in Carson City's Fuji Park at noon; and having a town hall meeting in Reno on Friday evening.

It will be Dodd's fourth swing through the Silver State this year.

Here are the locations and dates for two of the events:

LAS VEGAS: Join Chris Dodd for the grand opening of his Nevada Campaign Headquarters!

When: Thursday, July 12th, 5:45 p.m.
Where: 2801 South Valley View Boulevard, #3 (one block South of Sahara on Valley View)

RSVP: 702-256-DODD (3633)

CARSON CITY: Dodd will be in Carson City on Friday, July 13th for a picnic lunch. Please save the date and plan to come meet one of our outstanding Democratic candidates.

When: 12:15 p.m. Friday, July 13th
Where: Fuji Park located on Clear Creek Road across from Costco.

No details on the town hall meeting yet, but once that information becomes available you should be able to find it either on Chris Dodd's website or at the official NV Dem Caucus website.

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Do you live in Nevada and are a supporter of Chris Dodd? Then join the Nevada for Chris Dodd group at the Democratic Party's PartyBuilder social networking site.

Edwards Town Hall in Las Vegas, July 11

John Edwards will be back in Las Vegas next week. You can see and hear him at a town hall meeting on Wednesday, July 11. Here are the details:

Town Hall Meeting with John Edwards

Jul 11, 2007

12:00 p.m.
Sheet Metal Workers Local #88
2560 Marco St
Las Vegas, NV
For more information, call 702-434-3978 or email nevada@johnedwards.com

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Do you live in Nevada and are a supporter of John Edwards then join Nevada for John Edwards group at the Democratic Party's PartyBuilder social networking site.