Tag: Nevada 08 (page 2)

We've covered most of the stuff in this new Telegraph article about how Barack and Michelle Obama have attacked Hillary Clinton this week.

There's one comment by Barack Obama I missed though. Criticizing Hillary's statements in the last debate about the bankruptcy bill, he says:

He then poured ridicule on Mrs Clinton for saying in the debate that she had voted for a bankruptcy bill but "I was happy that it never became law".

Mr Obama could not conceal his mirth as he said: "What does that mean? No seriously, what does that mean? If you didn’t want to see it passed, then you can vote against it! People don’t say what they mean."

This from the guy who voted "present" on at least 86 bills?

An examination of Illinois records shows at least 36 times when Mr. Obama was either the only state senator to vote present or was part of a group of six or fewer to vote that way. In more than 50 votes, he seemed to be acting in concert with other Democrats as part of a strategy.

What a joke. No wonder he laughed as he said it.

The Las Vegas Sun today endorsed Hillary Clinton for President. Some of their reasons:

Clinton has a long and substantial record of leadership fighting on behalf of working Americans and children, and it is this experience and her passion for creating a better country that would serve this nation so well.

Our country needs someone who can be president from Day One after taking the oath of office. Her steadiness and resolve certainly would aid us in reestablishing better relations with other nations after Bush’s go-it-alone foreign policy, not to mention a thoughtful and responsible policy regarding our combat troops in Iraq.

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS - Preliminary/Permanent Injunction Hearing held on 1/17/2008 before Judge James C. Mahan. ...Time of Hearing: 9:00 am.; Courtroom: 6A; Representations of counsel are heard. The court made its findings.denying 6 Motion for TRO.; granting 10 Motion to Intervene. Submission of Proposed Order obo defendants due by 1/24/2008. (Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF - DXO) (Entered: 01/17/2008)

The Las Vegas Review Journal reports:

U.S. District Judge James Mahan has ruled against the attempt by the teachers union to block at-large precincts on the Strip. Mahan said he did not want to set a precedent that could affect other caucuses across the country and that the Democratic Party had the right to set its own rules.

The Las Vegas Sun says no appeal is likely.

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Taylor Marsh interviewed a culinary union worker today who complained her union is pressuring her to vote for Obama. (Podcast here.) Pamela of Democratic Daily has a similar post up.

Las Vegas Sun columnist John Ralston said the union began its "it's the union above all else” pitch right after it endorsed Obama.

The “It’s the union above all else” pitch began Wednesday when Secretary-Treasurer D. Taylor announced the Obama endorsement. He praised all the candidates but made it clear that his members value union solidarity above all.

MyDD diarist Izaradar, who belongs to a union, says union endorsements are more problematic in caucus than primary states:

What's the big deal, you might ask? The union leadership can't force a member to honor the endorsement of Senator Obama. If a member wants to vote for John Edwards, or Senator Clinton, they're free to do so. This is a democracy, right? The secret ballot protects our identity and our choice. Well, that's a problem.

This is an open caucus. Union members will be standing in the same room with other union members. Or maybe even their shop steward. Or their foreman. Or possibly even a union official. Everyone will know which candidate you're backing. And if you're a member of Culinary Workers Local 226, and you don't caucus for Senator Obama??? That could make for a long shift on Monday.

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Bump and Update: A federal judge will hear arguments Thursday in the case.

In other Nevada news, the Las Vegas Review Journal will endorse Barack Obama. In 2004, the paper endorsed George W. Bush for President.

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The Las Vegas Sun in an editorial today backed the lawsuit brought by the teachers' union challenging the at-large caucuses established in Las Vegas strip hotels.

As we see it, the caucuses were moved up so that all labor organizations and minorities in the state could get a bigger say, not just the Culinary Union.

Background here.

Who impressed you? Who let you down? Who do you think scored points with Nevada caucus voters?

I thought all three were good. I appreciated their lack of barbs and their attempt to put the Democrats first.

I thought the questioning by Russert and Williams was pretty poor. Instead of asking questions that would highlight their policy differences, they tended to ask questions on which all agreed.

No one failed. No one tripped up seriously. All would serve us far better than any Republican.

My final thoughts: Obama was likeable and well-intentioned. He just isn't ready in my opinion. He may be one day, but we need someone who is ready now. Hillary impressed tonight as being that person.

Part III. Domestic issues.

Not yet. Russert asks Hillary about national service and military recruiters on college campus. She talks about her bills to give GI's and vets more rights and services. Mentions her service on armed services committee.

Russert asks her if the top ten schools should have ROTC.

Obama agrees and says he too will enforce a statute that requires military recruiters and ROTC to be allowed on campus. He too supports national service and has introduced a bill on it.

Edwards agrees with the other two. He talks about PTSD. It's obvious all three have the same position here. Why not ask questions about areas they disagree on? [Updates Below}

Resumes with questions about economy. So far, everyone is behaving and acting very conciliatory. What a welcome change.

After this part, each of them will be able to ask two questions of the other candidates.

Hillary gives a specific answer on a complicated finanical thing. Obama converts the question to one on energy and fuel. Then answers about sub-prime mortgage problem and criticizes lobbyists and advocates for disclosure He will restore accountabilty and regulatory oversight over financial system.

Edwards asked if he regrets his vote on bankruptcy bill. Says absolutely. Updates below.

I'll be live-blogging the Nevada debate which begins in 30 minutes. Hope you will join me in comments. If Big Tent Democrat is around, he'll be joining in.

No cable? Watch online here.

7:04 pm (MT): Race question is up first. She and Obama both look concerned. "How did we get here?" Goes to Hillary. Says she and Obama agree neither race nor gender should be part of this race. She praises Edwards as son of a mill worker. She appreciates that she and Obama, both have exuberance and sometimes uncontrolled supporters, and they have committed to having campaign be about individuals.

Obama: Hillary said it well.Our supporters get overzealous and say things I would not say. We want to focus on issues. Everyone here is committed to racial equality.

The candidates are seated around a conference type table. It’s the three top candidates and Russert and Brian Williams. [More...]

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According to KO, via Josh, the Nevada Supreme Court has ruled in favor of NBC's petition for prohibition (do not ask me, I know nothing of Nevada civil procedure) and ruled against Dennis Kucinich.

That means tonight's debate is between the 3 leading candidates. Could be fireworks. I can not watch and will be counting on Jeralyn and commenters to keep me up. Jeralyn's earlier post on the Kucinich challenge.

John Edwards' presidential nomination chances are very much alive in Nevada. The Reno Gazette poll, conducted by Research 2000, shows: Obama 32%, Clinton 30%, and Edwards 27%.

Most surprising was Edwards' standing, which jumped 15 points from the last RGJ poll in November. Edwards was second in Iowa and third in New Hampshire and has not campaigned in Nevada since those contests.

This is a very fluid race that could change in any candidate's direction between now and the Saturday caucuses.

But with 9 percent undecided and 12 percent of those who expressed a preference likely to change their minds before Saturday, the race could shift dramatically to any of the candidates.

"In a one- or two-point race, it could tip either way," pollster Del Ali said. "It's a volatile electorate out there, particularly in a primary or a caucus. Twelve percent could change their mind, that could mean all the difference in the world."

Blue Texan at Firedoglake wisely cautions us not to anoint anyone yet. I want John Edwards to stay in this race. His increasingly progressive voice benefits us all.

Thanks to CL, our man in Hollywood, for this terrific Nevada graphic. Every time you see it, it means we have a new post about the Nevada race.

In the wake of the Nevada Culinary Workers' Union endorsement of Barack Obama, and the Nevada Democratic party's creation of at-large precincts inside Las Vegas strip hotels, the Nevada Teachers' Union and six Nevada voters have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to ban the Democratic Party from holding the newly created caucuses.

The suit alleges that the newly created voting places inside hotels violates the "one person, one vote rule" and equal protection of the law under the 14th Amendment by creating at-large precincts based solely on employment. A copy of the complaint is here (pdf.)

The lawsuit argues that the Nevada Democratic Party’s decision, decided late last year, to create at-large precincts inside nine Las Vegas resorts on caucus day violates the state’s election laws and creates a system in which voters at the at-large precincts can elect more delegates than voters at other precincts. The lawsuit employs a complex mathematical formula to show that voters at the other 1,754 precincts would have less influence with their votes.

As to the party's decision to establish the precincts inside hotels:

The at-large precincts are being established because thousands of hotel workers cannot leave work to participate in the midday caucuses in their home precincts.

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