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The curtain rises on the Nevada labor machine
There have been a lot of pieces written recently about the disconnect between Nevada’s terrible economy and President Obama’s lead in the polls here.
Temple forum roundup: Oceguera can't find any presidential misstep, Heck breaks with Romney and Berkley won't answer debt question
It went more than two and a half hours, with many candidates for legislative offices dodging basic questions and Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak making people wonder why Barry Herr is running against him (Herr all but endorsed the incumbent). But when the Midbar Kodesh Temple candidates night got to the federal races, there was real news. Well, sort of. A quick roundup:
L.A. Times scribe comes to Reno to figure out how Obama is doing well in Nevada despite economy
The L.A. Times' Mark Z. Barabak, who may know as much about this state as any national reporter, sojourned in Reno recently and came away with some thoughts about the paradox of the depressed economy and the depressed Mitt Romney vote:
Judge eviscerates Dotty's attempt to undo Big Gaming's victory
In a decision that came down Friday, and was first reported by Vegas, Inc's Steve Green, a judge shredded a case brought by those slot parlors that have fought against a Clark County ordinance. Judge Kent Dawson thoroughly rejected the various claims made by Dotty's, inlcuding due process and equal protection. If you are interested in this ongoing political and legal saga, I have posted the decision here.
My column: The first Heller-Berkley debate
Moderator: “Good evening and welcome to the first U.S. Senate debate between Senator Dean Heller and Congresswoman Shelley Berkley.” Man shouts from audience: “Go get him, Shelley! I want him gone.” Moderator: “Senator Reid, you really must try to control yourself. My first question goes to the congresswoman: Senator Heller says you are the most unethical and corrupt person he has ever met. Your reaction?”
Berkley scheduled to appear at forum tonight, along with Heck and Oceguera
Rep. Shelley Berkley will answer questions tonight at a candidates forum that also will include both candidates for a competitive congressional seat -- Rep. Joe Heck and Speaker John Oceguera. Sen. Dean Heller is not attending for what his campaign says are personal reasons.
Weekend mail call addendum: Grover is here!
Grover Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform is here in Nevada, trying to affect the U.S. Senate race with a mail campaign. You can download the piece here that attacks Rep. Shelley Berkley. It's a combination of ethics and "debt, spending and job loss." (She was not actually named one of "the most corrupt members of Congress." Only "Dishonorable Mention." But.....)
Weekend mail call: Republicans pound Berkley; Democrats bludgeon Romney-Ryan
Folks, I will try as often as I can to post media on this blog, so you can see what is happening in major -- and maybe some minor -- races. You will see attached here two pieces I received -- I am a registered non-partisan -- one from the Washoe Republican Party, which essentially is a front now as a federal PAC for the National Republican Senatorial Committee (which doesn't trust the state GOP), and one from the Democratic Party of Nevada on the presidential ticket. The mail I receive will give you a window into pitches being made to indies.
TV Watch--Crossroads GPS, DSCC beef up; Heller beating Berkley on Spanish TV; Oceguera edits spot
Some developments in the Nevada ad wars: Crossroads GPS is filling in its order in Reno, meaning it's hitting (probably Rep. Shelley Berkley) more and earlier. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is beefing up its buy in Reno and Las Vegas (are you listening, Sen. Dean Heller?) Meanwhile, Heller is currently outspending Berkley on Spanish-language TV, I am reliably told. But I hear some union folks are coming to her rescue.
Adelson, Fertittas attend fundraiser at Red Rock for Mitt Romney
Gondolier Numero Uno and GOP donor Numero Uno Sheldon Adelson attended a fundraiser at T Bones inside Red Rock Station for Mitt Romney, shortly before he gave a boiler-plate stump speech to a packed crowd at Cox Pavilion.