28 Comments
Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
Stumble
Published Friday, Jan. 11, 2008 | 6:41 p.m.
Updated Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008 | 2:14 p.m.
The Clinton campaign's efforts to undermine the Culinary Union's support of Barack Obama continued Friday.
In a campaign-organized conference call with reporters, casino boosters blasted Obama as a foe of gaming, and a "hypocrite".
"I think today as the Senator comes to rally with culinary employees, that it's important these employees question his support of the industry in which they're employed," said Jan Jones, a former mayor of Las Vegas and current Harrah's executive.
Jones - joined on the call by Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid, former Nevada governor Bob Miller, and former Harrah's CEO and chairman Phil Satre - sought to portray the Culinary Union's support of Obama as a bad decision, given that Obama has spoken negatively of the industry that provides the
60,000 hotel and casino workers their paychecks.
As an Illinois state senator, Obama reportedly questioned the use of gaming as a tool for economic development in his state. In 1999, he voted against a bill that expanded gaming there, while in 2003 he voted for a bill supported by the gaming industry that loosened regulations.
As a presidential candidate, Obama has praised Nevada's gaming industry because, he says, it's well-regulated here.
Unclear in the discussion Friday was the relevance of Obama's gaming record. After all, while the federal government has outlawed Internet gambling and oversees Indian casinos, it leaves all other casino regulation up to the states.
[quote] Unclear in the discussion Friday was the relevance of Obama's gaming record. After all, while the federal government has outlawed Internet gambling and oversees Indian casinos, it leaves all other casino regulation up to the states.[endquote]
And since it is up to the states, as a STATE senator, Obama is free to determine what form or amount of gaming is appropriate for ILLINOIS. Last time I checked NEVADA and ILLINOIS were two different places.
The Clinton campaign continues to distort and deceive. Do not be fooled by all the hype and hyperbole coming out of the Clinton campaign.
The Culinary Workers and SEIU Nevada made a well-reasoned decision. Every citizen is entitled to vote his or her conscience, but your union's endorsement should play some role in your decision.
I know that many of you supported John Edwards, but as he is less and less a factor in this race, please consider that Obama and Edwards are far more closely aligned on issues.
Roll the dice, Nevada! VOTE OBAMA in '08!
the good people of Nevada see through these things --
The Reid's made a fool of Nevada at the CNN debate last year when the heckling and cackles from the audience took a serious debate about serious issues and turned it into a free for all
The people of Nevada - and the people of the country do not want to be manipulated by an out of date political machine
If the Clintons and the Reids and their ilk were so good for the people and cared so much for all of us - why are things int he state they are? Yes it's the economy -- but this time let the old political machine know --
"it's the people -- stupid"
Yes we can
Obama 08
If Hillary and those other cowardly Democrats hadn't voted for the war,4000 families would not have lost their son,daughter,brother,sister,wife husband,and thousands of soldiers would not be in the hospital,some without their limbs!!
Those billions of dollars that are spent on the war each month,could have been to fix schools,help people with their insurance,help kids with their college education and to help people hold on to their home.
Oh, big surprise Rory Reid was on the call! Good grief, I pray the people of Nevada see through all this BS--Reid is selling out his own state for his own political aspirations and trying to position himself for some kind of job with a Billary administration.
It's time for real change, and that will only come with Barack Obama. When Hillary shows up with Wes Clark, Madeline Albright, and Bill on stage, does that really show "change?" Her motto should be "the more things change, the more they remain the same."
Wow, it's nice to see grown-ups commenting on campaign. The Clinton camp's criticisms of Obama in Nevada are pretty weak. The Democratic race was at such a high level until she dragged it into the mud. Why can't she run her campaign and let Obama run his.
Am I the only Democrat in Nevada who is ready to become independent in protest of the lemming-like way that Nevada's elected Democrats have lined up behind Clinton? Tonight, I was amazed to see 5,000 ordinary citizens wait hours in line to hear what Obama had to say at Del Sol HS, and stunned when I realized that not a single elected Nevadan was there to welcome him. Janet Napolitano flew in from Arizona to introduce him. The Democratic "elite" is missing the zeitgeist in Nevada, and to me, it looks like a jaundiced bid for personal power, or fear. Tell me, why did you get into politics again?
This is a not so subtle attempt to suppress caucus participation by a Clinton surrogate group. If the teachers wanted to help their janitors (first time they've ever peeped about this group who aren't even their members) vote, they could get more school based sites.
Staff: Why do feel this comment should be removed?
Obama has said he does not oppose gaming in Nevada because it is so well regulated. In Illinois good regulation was not in place, so he opposed it.
Janitors/school based sites have nothing to do with the argument. Caucus takes place at a specific time on a Saturday, when many are working on the strip. With employer cooperation, this gives more folks an opportunity to participate in our democracy.
YES WE CAN
Obama 08
There they go again! The Clintons are ridiculous. Obama supports gaming and will govern in the interest of all Nevadans. YES WE CAN! Caucus for Obama.
Obama has yet to say anything other then dream. He avoids voter questions and has yet to say exactly what it is he will change other then closing Guantanamo Prison.
When he closes the Guantanamo detainee camp what is his plan for the hundreds of enemy individuals? no answer again.
Footballfan - Maybe you haven't heard that Barack Obama has written two books? I want to point that out since your comment says, "Obama has yet to say anything other than dream."
Particularly, "Audacity of Hope" speaks directly to his vision and plan for his role in politics.
I truly encourage people to pick it up, even if you don't read the whole thing cover-to-cover, reading a little here and there gives a real true idea of this amazing man.
I know Obama from Illinois. He is the future. He's the real deal. Please consider supporting him in the caucus.
Didn't we all see this coming? The Nevada Hillary Camp is the party's old guard, team Titus, and the casino bosses. They will do and say what ever they can to tear this man down, or take away the "at-large" strip delegates from him. Unfortunately, too many Nevadans don't have a firm grasp on what is actually at stake, and they will motivated by the "Fear" that the Hillary Camp throws at them. How else to do you attract old people to a candidate?
With our last election, we proved that Nevada is stuck two steps behind the rest of the nation. Did the old guard rally around Titus and get her elected, NO THEY DID NOT. The old guard must be taken down if Nevada Democrats are to move forward. This is the first time in my many years in NV that a new voice and new voters can defeat the old guard that insists on shoving their choice down my throat. I remember the Mondale and Dukakis caucuses....those were bitter pills to swallow!
I want a new voice to lead our nation, a new generation, a new method of governing. I want a president that asks me to be part of the "we" solution, rather than a candidate that panders to me with more programs and that "I will do this for you" message.
Why do I feel like I'm watching the American version of Evita as Hillary panders in Mexican Restaurants? Why do I feel Jan Jones and Harrahs should spend more time on getting the correct "building permits" rather than spreading fear? Because I believe the old guard had their chance, and a new day a has come....
Yes we can...Obama 08!!!
http://www.barackobama.com/2007/08/01/re...
Above is the link for Senator Obama's comprehensive five point plan on the "war we need to win". There is also audio --
This addresses your question
Any answer you want to any of Senator Obama's positions are available on hiw web site barackobama.com
-
We cannot set our lives based on fear - the Clinton machine has learned from the Bush machine - fear works --
But if fear really worked - many of the emigrees now living in Nevada would have been too afraid to come to the USA - but they wanted a better life and that was a stronger motive than fear of the status quo
There is a movie called the American President where the character of the President in describing his enemies say something like - "They (politicians) point to someone and say HE is responsible for your plight- he is the reason you have problems"
Senator Obama is self made through intelligence and perserverance -- similiar to who Bill Clinton was before he ran for President. Pres Clinton is a brilliant man who would have been remembered as a great President if not for his lapses in moral judgement (which I personally don't give a hoot about but did distract him from governing for his second term).
That was then and this is now --
Time to turn the page
Obama '08
As a citizen of Las Vegas, what's amazing to me is the EXTREME a candidate will go to undermind the voters for a win. I can only imagine what will be done in the White House. Just watching the disceptions will be a CLEAR indication of who will get my vote. The bottom line---if a candidate intends to be open WITH THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY, it isn't necessary to use dirty politics to gain.
Baffling, just baffling. WHY, on earth, would a candidate ATTEMPT to STOP any citizen of this country from voting? That is ludicrous! I'd prefer a leader to encourage my voice---NOT QUELL IT.
C'mon folks...Lady Macbeth was a "female" too...
Obama '08
This Hispanic was a big fan of the Clintons in the 90s. In 2008, I don't have the confidence that Hillary can draw in the independents needed to win in November. I believe that Obama can beat McCain, Romney, or Huckabee.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/...
Every union member should read this article - then they can make a well informed decision --
and realize they are being used to set up conflict --
Forgot the Headline --
http://thepage.time.com/2008/01/12/racia...
Racial Tensions a Potential Boost For Clinton
Some strategists suggest Hispanics may be reluctant to support a black candidate.
Clinton pollster Sergio Bendixen: “The Hispanic voter—and I want to say this very carefully—has not shown a lot of willingness or affinity to support black candidates.” The Page, 7:26 AM
Triangulating, Divide and Conquer will not work this time in our history.
The only election where the Clintons managed to eke a 2-point victory and 0 delegate advantage is highly questionable. In a caucus (Iowa) that could not be rigged, they tried to disenfranchize students and failed. In another caucus (Nevada) that cannot be rigged, they're trying to disenfranchize casino workers by changing the rule of the game in the middle of the game and by pitting blacks against hispanics. Can we beat them? Yes, we can! Si, se puede!
http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/Triang...
I am not sure where all this "Obama has no specifics or details" argument is coming from.
I have had had no problem finding the details of his positions or any other candidates on their respective websites.
Barack Obama is the ONLY candidate that can truly change the direction America is headed in...
He has more integrity and strength than all the other candidates put together...
I am afraid of what will happen if we have more of the same...He studied and taught constitutional law, started as a community activist making about $15,000 a year, stood up to lobbyists and NO other candidate can say this and he was in the State Senate for 7 years and by the time he is elected will be in the US Senate for almost 5years.... he can't be bought and he truly cares for ALL Americans, what more do we need?
It is common knowledge that the Republicans want to run against Senator Clinton - as they feel they can beat her the easiest (easier than either Obama or Edwards); Hillary is the dream candidate for the republican machine --
They are "fired up and ready to go" should Hillary Clinton be the democratic nominee --
See link below for the following information (also was on TV this am)
"New York Sen. Hillary Clinton is Republicans' choice for a Democratic candidate.
Said GOP pollster Whit Ayres: "When it comes to Republicans, Hillary Clinton is a unifier, not a divider."
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/246......
FACTS MATTER -- AT LEAST THEY SHOULD MATTER
Obama -08
I guess the Democratic race has only two candidates, judging by the coverage in these Sun blogs. All Obama and Clinton. Polls show that Edwards is the candidate Republicans fear most. The general election won't be decided by Hispanics and union endorsements, or who has the most charisma or sheds the most tears. Fire in the belly and willingness to take on the Republican establishment will be the most important ingredient. The Republican smear machine will find it easy to shoot down the candidates of hope and nostalgia for the nineties. They might find it a little tougher to deal with a candidate that has been fighting and winning against corporations all his life.
Eaanders, you are absolutely right. As an experienced trial lawyer John Edwards has the technical skills and the experience to fight the corporations, insurance companies, free traders and their lobbyists.
Edwards was the one who many local Culinary Union officials wanted to endorse, but having a united union front on a national basis was more important than endorsing the most qualified candidate.
I blame the national television media for knocking Edwards out of the competition in favor of Clinton and Obama, two candidates the Rove Republican machine probably can beat. Look at who owns the TV networks. All of them are corporate monoliths who have subtlely and/or overtly supported Bush, the Republicans and the War in Iraq over the last few years.