With the dust settling from the first group encounter of the 2008 presidential race, the Nevada Democratic forum in Carson City, everyone’s looking to what’s next for the race in the second-in-the-nation contest. In Nevada, as Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Molly Ball writes, happy organizers are turning their sights to the next event on tap, another issues forum with the Democratic presidential candidates on March 24th. Focusing principally on health care, this will take place at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.
Unlike this week’s forum, oddly skipped by second place candidate Barack Obama, whose campaign offered only a general explanation as to why he would be flying from Los Angeles to Iowa at the time of the forum to pursue a vague schedule in the site of the first-in-the-nation contest, the freshman senator from Illinois will, sources close to him tell NWN, participate in the Las Vegas forum next month.
Meanwhile, a dust-up in the lefty blogosphere looks unlikely to upset arrangements for a full-on Nevada presidential debate in August. But first, a moment more on Carson City.
Carson City’s Republican mayor called the Democratic presidential forum the biggest event to hit his fair city, population 57,000 (although it seems less driving swiftly through the downtown area), in over 100 years. The last big event, he said, was a world heavyweight boxing championship fight back in 1897. Between Gentleman Jim Braddock and, ah, the guy who lost.
It’s actually pretty cool to have the presidential campaign descend upon a small desert community with the Sierra Nevada mountains less than 20 miles away. A reminder that success in Nevada doesn’t simply lie close to the bright lights of Vegas and that early victory in the race for the White House may be eked out in the Western equivalents of Sioux City and Nashua.
What’s not so cool is the dust-up over the Nevada Democratic Party’s decision to have Fox News cablecast the August debate in Reno. Elements of the lefty blogosphere, as reported the other day, are trying to get the party to dump cablecast partner Fox News or, failing that, get candidates not to participate.
I think the move will be a non-starter. Not that they don’t have a point. Here’s what MoveOn.org sent out Thursday morning to members:
Dear MoveOn member,
The Democratic Party of Nevada just announced plans to let Fox News host a presidential primary debate. But Fox isn’t a legitimate news channel. It’s a right-wing mouthpiece like Rush Limbaugh and the Drudge Report—repeating false Republican talking points to smear Democrats.
Fox has already tried to skew the ‘08 race by accusing Senator Barack Obama of attending a terrorist school. CNN immediately exposed the charge as false, and Obama hit back by refusing to appear on Fox—sending them scrambling. Democrats can force Fox to be fair and balanced by fighting back hard.
Can you sign this petition asking the Democratic Party of Nevada to drop Fox as its partner for the presidential primary debate?
The full text of the petition is: “Fox is a mouthpiece for the Republican Party, not a legitimate news channel. The Democratic Party of Nevada should drop Fox as its partner for the presidential primary debate.”
The Daily Kos is pushing it, too, with Kos telling his followers they have to pressure “the Dim Wit Nevada Democrats,” a classic example of style in the yaposphere of both Democratic and Republican hyperpartisan extremes. (Since the Democratic Parties of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Montana have all signed on as co-sponsors of the Reno debate, perhaps Kos should be talking about Dim Wit Western Democrats. Or perhaps not.)
What’s wrong with Fox News for these folks? The TV network comes off as fairly anti-Democratic. People are upset about a 2004 Democratic debate that aired with talking heads interjecting comments and the Democratic Party referred to as the “Democrat” Party throughout. That’s a particularly sophomoric rhetorical ploy on the right. You can’t change the name of a political party to suit your partisan fancy, and no other serious journalistic organization would do that.
But Fox News, although it has its problems — the audience is not the most desirable demographic for advertisers — is the largest cable news network. It would be foolish of the Democrats, so long as the ground rules are firmly established, not to expose their candidates to a different audience, some of which may be pleasantly surprised. It would also be foolish of the Democrats to look like they are kow-towing to the “netroots.”
The Democratic Party is simply bigger than a cable news network. So don’t expect Fox to be dropped. Do expect Fox News personalities to be on good behavior around that August debate. Besides, it’s not at all clear that Rupert Murdoch likes the Republicans’ chances in 2008.
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Kos is a cult leader.
Those Krazy Kos Kidz. lol
No more events in Carson City? You should eat at the Wagon Wheel.
No more big forums or debates scheduled for Carson City. Those will be in Las Vegas and Reno, mostly Vegas.
But I’m sure I’ll spend a lot of January rolling up and down the eastern side of the Sierras. And I have some other things in mind that will take me through the fabulous state capital of Nevada.
That new FNC “1/2 Hour News Hour” is too obnoxious for a news channel wanting to be taken seriously. This goes way beyond O’Reilly and the weirdly partisan Hannity stuff.
Still, it was kind of funny. Obama’s admission of using cocaine decades ago caused his approval rating to collapse to… 92%! And who could forget B.O. magazine – everything Obama.
That show is nothing but an embarassment.
After spending Wednesday night in South Lake Tahoe and driving back in a 1.5 foot snowstorm, I strongly advise you to rent a beefy 4wd for your trips to the Sierra next winter. Your Jag will be a logistic and safety hazard.
Actually, the Jag does extremely well in inclement conditions, but I’m not going to use that car running up and down Nevada. Rental cars only.
No Jag in Vegas?
The Jag has been to Vegas. It may be there again, especially if there is an NWN outpost in Vegas. But it sure won’t be racing up and down Nevada come January.
I hope the candidates don’t only talk about health care next month in Las Vegas.
For as early as it is, I would venture to say that the candidates are to a good start. This is one of the hardest things to do in politics, running for President. These candidates are substantive and confident.
I’m told the focus will be on health care in the March 24th forum in Las Vegas because that is what co-sponsor SEIU wants but of course the presidential candidates will talk about whatever else they like.
I think the candidates are off to a pretty good start. I’ll criticize them when I think it appropriate, but there are a number of good candidates in both parties.
You don’t want to mess up a Jaguar driving around on a political campaign.
These candidates better start talking about what people care about.
What is that?
Bill,
What people care about is the freedom of ferrets in California. And it is my sad duty to inform you all that it appears no one has introduction a ferret feedom bill this year.
While the folks under the Golden Dome squabble about such minor items as moving the primary election date, health care and prison overcrowding, a quick search fails to turn up mention of allowing these cute little creatures the freedom they deserve.
Perhaps as we move through the spring and summer months one state legislator will be courageous enough to gut and amend a current piece of legislation and take up the plight of the ferret. And perhaps someday others will have equal courage to pass the bill and maybe then this Governor will affix his Arnold to it. But, until then, we can only say, “Free the Ferrets!”
And that, Mr. Bradley, is what the people want!!!
The erstwhile Kindergarten Cop has left the state, so it may be somewhat difficult for now to get an answer as to why what “The People” want on this pressing question is going, well, wanting …
I just came from spending the day at a horseshow in Los Altos Hills and after the events when about 35-40 of us were sitting around with our drinks, everyone began talking about politics…it was interesting because I met my first Mitt Romney supporters! …every single one of them! Moreover, the consensus was that Romney will win and run against Obama and beat Obama …so I protested and said he seems to me like a maga-Manager meant for Boardrooms not a President, Leader…and he is no where in the polls ..well of course, they told me I obviously did not know him…or anything about him …and insisted I, of all people would really like him! …in any event, I must now take a good look at him because his wife his a great equestrienne! So any man who loves a woman who loves horses..well, he can’t be all bad!
Cool.
Ah, let me give you a hard and fast NWN forecast here.
That won’t happen.
Mitt Romney, the lib who pretends he’s a conservative. I don’t Think so.
Well what can I say …these were all registered Reeps late 30′s and 40′s, extremely wealthy, several of them foreign born …and they are voting for Romney..
In other words, they have no …
Mr. Bradley:In other words, they have no
Don’t understand????
Watching Hardball right now they are ready to talk about ebonomy BOOM or bust….that’s is what was the topic today in Los Altos
Which part of not happening?
Totally confused by your responses Mr. Bradley…anyway gotta run ..but the last question by matthews was : will Gore run…Rather said yes if Clinton gets into trouble watch around Sept…and Jim Cramer said No he is “essentially running a Hedge Fund …no one leaves that”…Toodles
P.S. Cramer says economy goes “BOOM!”
we shall see I am not so sure…
I can’t believe you are “confused” by that. It doesn’t get much clearer.
… Oh, and regarding Al Gore, no, he’s not running.
Romney? Total loser. lol
Solon – and then some legislator will introduce a bill to prevent spanking or declawing ferrets.
Nick
well, I don’t think Romney is a “loser”…by all accounts, he has a great family, a great marriage, a big great brain, a great fortune, he is great looking, with great looking wife and great looking sons …he probably has a few other great things about him and/or his life that I am unaware of…he may or may not be President ..but even if he is never President …he is not a “loser.”
and Mr. Bradley …if you were responding to me, I honestly don’t get what you were saying…it’s my “dense” night I guess! doesn’t matter it’s Saturday night and I am off to a party…everyone have a great night! Toodles!
OK, Take 4. No, that won’t happen.
Nick…
Perhaps…but who would ever sink so low as to spank or declaw a ferret? Who? I shutter to think that such a person exists within our civil society and doubt that sleep will come easy as it lingers in my feeble old memory.
The spanking bill was dropped by Sally Lieber.
Ferrets across California are now safe. Huzzah!
… Or they are in very deep doo doo.
Hey, it’s the weekend. You’re asking me to think about two silly issues SIMULTANEOUSLY.
Spanking.
And ferrets.
Not silly if you’re a declawed ferret trying to defend yourself from be spanked!
Honestly, I had not thought of that, Solon.
Thank you for putting up with me!
I shall now leave you with more serious thoughts for this Saturday evening. I have none, but I’ll sure you or someone else will come up with them.
I am going out on a limb to guess that what Mr Bradley was saying that the Romney supporters did not have, was a clue.
And I’d agree that Romney getting the nomination seems distinctly unlikely. If he did, whether he won or not would depend on whether his fairly blatant repositioning (from MA moderate to orthodox religious conservative) demoralizes his base or turns off centrists who want somebody honest and trustworthy running the country for a change. Either one would likely be fatal, and it’s hard to see how he could manage to avoid one or the other. If he comes across as seriously right-wing, he turns off the middle; if he goes mushy, he loses his base. And in the worst case, he manages to turn off both and, especially if the Dem is somebody like Obama (charismatic, perceived as reasonably centrist), that would mean losing in a landslide.
A clue.
Hmm.
Perhaps.
If people mean gay/abortion when they say “social issues”, it would be nice if they said gay/abortion. Or whatever the hell they are talking about. Good grief. It’s the cable tv weirdo’s who do this the most, not those here. Chris Matthews – Goober in Chief.
Social liberal = pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-libertarian sex.
Incidentally, there is another problem.
In that today’s items have not shown up as scheduled and my manual attempt did not work.
This sort of thing is why I dumped the LA Weekly operation.
Was 1930s boxer Braddock alive in 1897? The boxer that was meant was James J. “Gentleman Jim” Corbett.
Good point. I remembered it was one of those Gentleman Jim guys.
You know we could do a trade Urban Tank-SnowMobile for the Jag but, only if it is a fast Jag and you would be required to shovel my driveway on storm days.:)
Carole, the Jag is plenty fast. I’ve taken it up to 145 miles per hour. I must say that the chance of my trading it for an SUV is approximately zero.