Edwards Leaves Reno for North Carolina

What a hectic life it must be. John Edwards could only stay so long before he had to fly back to North Carolina to do early morning interview shows. Around 2,000 Nevadans showed up at the Grand Sierra Resort to see him tonight. The people seemed to like his answers. Most people had to stand up but since he was here for such a short time it didn't matter. His campaign has an amateurish quality to it that is refreshing. Its almost like he was running for Congress, it was pure grass roots - nothing fancy. A big American flag was up and some signs on the wall saying "Tomorrow Begins Today."

Edwards understands the power of the internet and video to reach a larger audience. He said ordinary citizens can start blogs that reporters use as sources and wants to keep the net free. Although Hillary has a wide early lead in the polls, Edwards early campaigning in the state and his internet savvy gives him a good shot at her.

While we the people were participating in an old fashioned Town Hall in Reno, they hung Saddam in Iraq. Speaking of Iraq, Edwards voted for the war there but now considers it a mistake. Someone asked what he learned from that mistake. He said to trust his gut better, that he had a feeling that war was not the answer. When asked what the difference was between 2004 and now, he said he wanted to be a good candidate then - now he wants to be a good president. I got the feeling he was ready to step into the job.

Regarding world security matters he cited the Middle East and China as potential trouble ahead. He is against preemptive war. On Nevada issues he said, "Yucca Mountain does not work," citing doctored documents and the danger of transporting nuclear waste accross the country. He is for public financing of campaigns, thinks No Child Left Behind does not work, supports same sex civil unions, public funding of stem cell research and wants to help college students with books and tuition for 15 hours of work a week.

An early poll of likely democratic caucus goers, taken just before Christmas shows Edwards in fifth place (Clinton 37%, Undecided 23%, Obama 12%, Kerry 9%, Edwards 8%, Others 11%). Its important for Edwards to make a good showing here in Nevada if his campaign is to continue after the caucus. He pronounces the name of our state right, thats a real plus. Plus he has a whole year to reach out to Nevadans. It was good to hear that Elizabeth is in good health. We expect John Edwards to finish in the top two.

John Edwards To Announce With Visit to Reno

From ABC, Channel 11 TV in Durham, NC:

(12/26/06--CHAPEL HILL) John Edwards, the former North Carolina Senator, will likely make a White House run and the announcement is expected to come in two days.

According to published reports, Edwards is scheduled to travel to New Orleans to make the announcement. He will appear in the Katrina ravaged ninth ward where recovery efforts continue more than a year later.

Edwards has been rumored as a candidate since 2004 when he made his first White House attempt. He is considered one of the top democratic candidates along with New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Eyewitness News will be on the road with John Edwards when he makes his announcement in New Orleans. Look for live reports this Thursday right here on eyewitness news.

The campaign kickoff tour will continue through the weekend and Edwards has rallies planned in Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina. The tour will end here in Chapel Hill at his campaign office at Southern Village Green. The following are the dates and locations:

Thursday - December 28, 2006 - Des Moines, IA.
Friday - December 29, 2006 - Portsmouth, NH
Friday - December 29, 2006 - Reno, NV.
Saturday - December 30, 2006 - West Columbia, SC
Saturday - December 30, 2006 - Chapel Hill, SC

You must have tickets to attend but registration is free.

Reid Ex-Aide Backs A Darkhorse - Bill Richardson

From December 21, 2006 Las Vegas Sun:

Nevada Democrat forms group to draft Richardson for president

LAS VEGAS(AP) - A former aide to incoming senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is forming a group to draft New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to seek the Democratic presidental nomination in the early caucus state of Nevada.

Reynaldo Martinez, of Incline Village near Lake Tahoe, said he would lead a committee of 70 people to draw Richardson into the process leading to the January 2008 Nevada caucus.

"We call on Gov. Richardson to run for president," said Martinez, who provided a list of supporters he said represented blacks, Hispanics, Asian-Americans, "significant Democratic Party activists" and enviornmentalists. "He has always been good to Nevada."

Martinez said he had not spoken with Richardson, and Richardson was not aware of Martinez' effort until Thursday, said Amanda Cooper, manager of Richardon's successful campaign for re-election last November.

Richarson won't decide until early next year whether to run for president, Cooper said, adding that the Democratic governor welcomed grass roots suport.

Richardson visited Nevada several times to stump for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dina Titus' failed bid for election in November.

Reid spokesman Jon Summers said Martinez' previous work for Reid should not suggest that Reid, D-Nev., backed Richardson.

"The senator has said several times he won't endorse anyone in the primary because he wants every candidate to come to Nevada on a level playing field, " Summers said.

The Democratic National Committee this year made Nevada the second state to hold a presidental nomination contest, putting it after the Iowa caucus and before the New Hampshire primary.

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From the Americans for Richardson website:

"Nevada will be a lynch-pin in the Democratic Presidential nomination process in 2008 and many Nevadans believe Bill Richardson is the best choice to lead our party", stated "Draft Committee" Chairman Reynaldo Martinez, a resident of Incline Village, and former chief of staff to U.S. Senator Harry Reid. Earlier this year the Democratic National Committee (DNC) designated Nevada to be the second state to hold a nomination contest on January 19, 2008 following Iowa (caucus) January 14 and before New Hampshire (primary) January 22, and South Carolina (primary) January 29. Nevada will be a "caucus" state and the State Democratic Party will sponsor and organize the state-wide event. Martinez added, "Bill Richardson is the Favorite-Son of the West, and the West beginning with Nevada can lead the Democrats to the White House in 2008."

Bookies Predict Clinton-McCain Race in 2008

Two sports books say the odds favor a Hillary Clinton/John McCain race in 2008. The books also say the Democratic Party is favored to win the presidental race. See the current odds at Holly Wagers.

Nevada Democrats To Make A Difference - Opinion

Nevada democrats will have 22 base delegates to the nominating convention, compared to 39 for Iowa and 19 for New Hampshire. We can make a difference in Nevada, by vetting all the candidates now running. Barack Hussein Obama is getting alot of press lately, especially about his name. Sounds like Osama....plus he has Hussein as a middle name. And so young, can we say - not ready for prime time?

Hillary seems to be in the lead at the moment among all candidates, and she has the money.....but America will rebel against another dynasty. The Bush dynasty did not work out and I doubt another Clinton will be good for the country. Isn't there someone besides a Bush or Clinton who is qualified? Will Hillary win in 2008 and 2012, followed by Jeb Bush in 2016 and 2020.....only to set things up for Chelsea Clinton after that. The frontrunner will fade, and Nevada will be a leader in the rejection of Hillary for President.....America has had enough already.

Do the republicans even have a chance at the oval office in 2008? Maybe with Rudy....but the Iraqi war is a huge minus - and do Americans want to be reminded about 9/11 every time they see Rudy's face? John McCain will not be accepted with open arms by college sports bettors in Nevada, he unsucessfully tried to ban betting on college sports. Aren't republicans supposed to be in favor of limited government?

The one candidate that showed alot of promise was democrat Mark R. Warner, former governor of Virginia. He amassed almost ten million dollars for his Presidental bid and then decided it wasn't going to be worth it. He wanted to spend more time with his aging father and daughters. A New England democrat who got elected in Virginia, a conservative state....and was a popular governor. Word is, he didn't past muster with the globalists - too bad, he showed so much promise.

John Edwards to Visit Reno Friday, Dec. 29, 2006

John Edwards will be visiting the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno on Friday, December 29, 2006. Call the Washoe Democratic Party headquarters for tickets, 775-829-1699 or go to 1465 Terminal Way to pick them up. Doors open at 5:30 pm, special event and town hall meeting starts at 6:00 pm.

Location:
Silver State Pavilion
Grand Sierra Resort
2500 East Second Street
Reno, Nevada

You can also go to www.johnedwardsevents.com for more information and tickets.

Joe Biden Announces He is Running

"It is my intention to seek the nomination, and its my intention sometime in the month of January to set up the appropriate mechanism to be able to raise money for that purpose" - Joe Biden announces his presidental run on Tuesday, December 26, 2006. It is expected that Biden will spend four days campaigning in Nevada.