Nevada Caucus Experience....

[Punkingal]

My husband works in Las Vegas most of the time, so that is where he votes. He describes his caucus experience like this:

There were about 74 Clinton supporters on one side of the room, and about 50 Obama supporters on the other side of the room, both groups shouting insults back and forth. There were 12 Edwards supporters and 2 Kucinich supporters, which made neither candidate viable, so they were forced to choose either Clinton or Obama. Most of them went to Obama, to stop Clinton.

Interesting observations:

Obama and Clinton both had precinct captains, as did Edwards, but Edwards' captain had only decided to support him the day before. Obama's captains were 2 college girls from California. Being an Edwards supporter and contributor, my husband was very disappointed in the lack of organization for Edwards. My husband is a One Corps captain, and was not even contacted by the campaign to do anything. He thought that was strange.

The Hispanics at this particular caucus site were firmly in the Clinton camp while the African Americans were firmly in the Obama camp. Apparently the Hispanice vote went to Clinton very heavily in Nevada, perhaps because Richardson put the word out to support Clinton. (This is just a guess.)

My husband said the whole thing was not well run, no one seemed to know what to do, and he was disgusted by some of the things the Clinton and Obama camps were shouting at each other. He went for Obama because Edwards was not viable, and because he and many others in the Edwards and Kucinich groups were disgusted about the Clintons being involved in trying to shut down the casino voting sites.

I don't know why a caucus victory is touted so heavily....you can't even vote for the candidate you want to vote for if there aren't enough others voting for them also. That seems insane to me.

And by the way, don't anyone kid themselves....Harry Reid may not have endorsed anyone, but he is a Clinton supporter, or she wouldn't have won. He owns Nevada.

[THUNDER HANDS]

1. interesting

thanks for posting.

[zanne]

2. That's sad.

But thanks for posting this.

[EV_Ares]

3. Thank you for the information. I really do hope that Edwards has some involvement

in a democratic administration if they do get the WH back. I think he would make a great AG.

[Samantha]

6. I too think he would make a great AG

He is the antithesis of Gonzales. That Department needs a huge course correction, and Edwards is one guy who could make it.

I hesitate to post this because I think the idea might be disappointing to the Edwards support group, people openly discussing positions a great deal lesser than their goal. However, I like Edwards and should his campaign end without his having the nomination, I am hoping he plays a major role in the cabinet of whoever does prevail -- and that one seems tailor-made for him.

Whatever, as long as he just does not disappear from the political scene, that should be some consolidation for those who admire him so much.

[rox63]

4. Reid's son works for the Clinton campaign

That's pretty close to an endorsement.

[mtnsnake]

5. So according to you, Harry Reid swung it for Hillary even though he didn't endorse anyone

and even though you can't prove any of your innuendo including how you think Bill Richardson caused her to win all the Latino vote even though you can't prove that either, although at least with Richardson you admit you're just guessing. Sour grapes much?

And by the way, don't anyone kid themselves....Harry Reid may not have endorsed anyone, but he is a Clinton supporter, or she wouldn't have won. He owns Nevada.

Thanks for such an unbiased report :eyes:

[ursi]

7. It goes much deeper than that ...

Reid is heavily entrenched with the corporate casino infrastructure in Las Vegas through his own efforts and those of his sons who have worked and are still working for the law firm of Lionel Sawyer ...Rory Reid specifically handles cases for Harrahs, for example.

No Dem runs for higher office in this state without the blessing of Harry Reid.

Reid didn't do John Kerry any favors in the 2004 elections. He sat back and let Kerry get smeared by the mining industry when Reid could have taken onsite to any mine to meet and understand their issues.

Like I said, Reid controls the party and the caucus was his baby all the way down to the way it ran ...and that includes not requiring identification to get in or register to vote yesterday. There was a serious reason for that ...

But you would have to live here to really understand ...

And don't even get me started on the voting machines in Clark County.

[TankLV]

19. go ahead - don't hold back - the machines SUCK...

Your observations about Reid are spot on - everytime I've been around him and tried to pin him down on an issue - he starts a story about his "growing up in Searchlight" - I for one am sick and tire of him and his "stories".

He's the connumate "politician" - he only cares about being re-elected - and there doesn't seem go be much that can be done as I see it...

It's one of the main reasons I've stopped attending party functions a few years ago - my being busy with work and no longer dependable for such other things is also a big part - but the entrenched party hacks is also a major cause...

[Punkingal]

21. Well thank you.....

I experienced the same things with Reid. He doesn't care, in fact he goes out of his way to see to it that no other democrats hold high positions in Nevada. I can't stand him.

[Punkingal]

9. It is my opinion...

As far as Reid is concerned, but it is based on what I saw living there for 8 years. He owns Nevada, and he doesn't support other Democrats as he should. A friend of mine witnessed his totally humiliating Jack Carter, who was running for the Senate, in front of the press. You would have to have lived in Nevada and experienced it to understand just how Reid operates.

As for Richardson, he was after all a Clinton cabinet appointee, and many people thought it strange he dropped out before the Nevada caucus, where he was expected to do well.

As for sour grapes, KISS MY GRITS. I don't have to be happy with Clinton or Obama. I don't trust either one of them.

[Tom Rinaldo]

11. Edwards was John Kerry's running mate in 2004

but that didn't mean Kerry automatically backed Edwards now. Maybe Richardson does prefer Clinton to Obama. I don't know, he hasn't said. But even if he does it is always possible for someone to actually support a candidate because they think that person would actually be the better candidate.

[Punkingal]

15. I don't give a damn if Richardson does support Clinton...

I am not criticizing, just speculating. Jeez.

[Tom Rinaldo]

18. Sorry if my comment seemed attacking

You wrote a good OP and I enjoyed reading what you had to say. I was actually responding to the entire flow of discussion more than your own comment with my post, and more trying to make a point than criticize anyone, least of all you.

Thaks for your report.

[karynnj]

16. Good point

Many, Many Democrats worked in the Clinton administration. They were Democrats, very interested in public policy who anted to help change the country.


Many are supporting HRC openly now. Many are openly supporting other candidates - including people as prominent as Deval Patrick. There are rumours that Richardson wants to be Clinton's VP. They are that ... rumours. However, Obama/Richardson could be a possiblity as well. (Looking at their combine heritages - the ticket would be 1/2 white, 1/4 hispanic and 1/4 black :) - that people wouldn't see it that way brings up interesting questions about the US view of race and ethnicity.)

Richardson has not endorsed. If he was for HRC, I assume that before this caucus would have been a great time for the endorsement.

[durrrty libby]

8. This is a perfect example as to why caucuses are stupid

Now many co-workers have bad feelings toward one another

Secret ballot is the only way to go

Hillary will get the Latino vote in big numbers around the country, but it

has virtually nothing to do with Bill Richardson


Thanks for your account

[Punkingal]

10. You are welcome.

At this juncture, I think the caucus system is not only stupid, but un-democratic. Who wants to participate in something that doesn't allow you to vote for who you want to?

[MethuenProgressive]

12. Ah, so you've discovered the Secret Spanish Society?

"Hispanice vote went to Clinton very heavily in Nevada, perhaps because Richardson put the word out to support Clinton."

Yeah, those darn Hispanics couldn't have rejected Obama's attempt to Swiftboat Clinton on Race without secret instructions. :eyes:

[Punkingal]

14. Look, it wasn't a criticism, just a speculation....

I don't give a damn why they voted for Hillary.

[Punkingal]

17. And by the way....

I wasn't suggesting people can't think for themselves. I don't find it necessary to be demeaning to anyone here, whether it be a group or an individual. These days you can't open your mouth on this board without getting attacked.

And I also like Richardson. Always have.

[TankLV]

20. hang in there - it can get rough.

come move to Hendersons - we seem able to get along just fine - no matter whom we support...

And I can only speak from my own limited personal observations without ectrapolating it to everyplace else...

[rug]

13. That sounds like 3D GD-P.

[sandnsea]

22. Obama won rural NV & rural NH

I don't know why the Dem strongholds keep flipping over to Hillary. Makes no sense.