Notes and quotes from the Nevada Democratic caucuses

AP

Sunday, Feb. 15, 2004 | 1:45 a.m.

LAS VEGAS - More than a thousand people gathered outside Chaparral High School, waiting for John Kerry to make an appearance before Saturday's Clark County caucus. Ranging from Vietnam veterans to children with painted hearts on their faces, some chatted amiably with coffee cups in hand, while at least two people got into a shouting match.

The crowd cheered when the Massachusetts senator finally arrived, about 45 minutes late. Kerry made his way through the rowdy crowd shaking hands, signing autographs and posing for photographs with children.

Kerry made his way to a coffee-and-doughnut line, pausing to chat with Sen. Harry Reid, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and Rep. Shelley Berkley. Meanwhile, supporters broke into chants of "No More Bush" and "Bush Must Go," while some screamed for "President Kerry" to come closer.

The senator spoke with each person behind the coffee line, stopping to ask one youngster who aspires to public office whether he was studying debate.

"That's a great way to start," the senator said, smiling.

More than 30 minutes after the caucus was supposed to begin, Kerry began to make his exit.

"We need to get you inside to vote," Kerry told the crowd. "I need to get to Wisconsin."

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RENO, Nev. - Even the prayer was partisan at the Democratic caucus in Washoe County.

The Rev. Greg Stewart of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Reno got the crowd's attention when he opened by saying "I know God is not up for re-election but I'm sure she would appreciate our attention.

"Bless those who have gathered here to take on the tyranny within the White House. ... to be agents of change for a true democracy. We ask for the courage to stand up for what is right.

"We have a dream for an America that hears the voices of children and not the disingenuous drone of `Leave No Child Behind.' ... (We want) a president who views war as a last resort, not a first reaction to the world's woes.

"We yearn for a time that who we love does not matter, but the fact that we love means everything."

The crowd applauded afterward.

State Assemblyman Bernie Anderson, D-Sparks, said the prayer was appropriate

"I think he was trying to reach out to everyone," Anderson said. "This is a party of inclusion and that's what the prayer reflected."

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LAS VEGAS - Denise Lahav had a special valentine for Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio.

Clad head-to-toe in pink and white and wearing cutout hearts bearing Kucinich's name, Lahav walked around outside the Clark County caucus on Saturday - Valentine's Day - carrying a sign that read "Make love not war - Kucinich 2004."

The 51-year-old Las Vegas resident said she supports Kucinich because he voted against the war and voted against creating a national nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain in southern Nevada.

"He is the only candidate who is actually going to make a change," she said. "I don't want a Democrat who is going to do the same thing as Bush."

Even though Kucinich is trailing Sen. John Kerry in the delegate race, Lahav remains hopeful that he can still win because of what she called "progressive states" who have yet to hold a primary or caucus.

"A lot of people are voting against Bush," she said. "I want people to vote their hearts."

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LAS VEGAS - While caucus participants remained faithful to their various candidates, some were beginning to wonder what they would do if Sen. John Kerry wins the nomination.

Catherine Schlesinger, a 28-year-old student at UNLV, has favored Howard Dean because of his record as governor of Vermont. But if he doesn't win, there is no chance of her switching parties.

"In the end, we're all Democrats and we're going to support whoever wins," she said.

It's less clear for Dean supporter, Jordana McCudden, a 24-year-old Las Vegas teacher.

She believes Kerry lacks the credibility to criticize Bush on such issues as the war in Iraq, the No Child Left Behind Act and the Patriot Act, because the Massachusetts senator voted for them.

"(Kerry) is everything that is wrong with politics in general," McCudden said. "We need someone who is willing to say the honest truth, no matter what's popular."

For Robert Craig, a 44-year-old flight attendant from Las Vegas, the answer is simple.

"I would vote for the dogcatcher before I would vote for Bush," he said.

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Associated Press writers Scott Sonner in Reno and Christina Almeida in Las Vegas contributed to this report.

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