Clinton campaign finds perfect hosts for house party

By J. Patrick Coolican

Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007 | 7:05 a.m.

Jose Espinoza doesn't have much interest in talking politics, even though Sen. Hillary Clinton will be a guest at a house party he's throwing today.

No, his real interest is showing visitors the many projects around his modest but meticulous and well-appointed home.

And with good reason.

There's the shiny white tile floor, the pine tree he planted in the front yard all those years ago and has watched grow wide and tall, the concrete driveway with the inlaid planters, the Mexican lamppost and the pomegranate tree supported with a horizontal trellis.

Espinoza and his wife, Maria, here since 1976 and citizens since 1989, are almost absurdly perfect examples of both the Las Vegas and American dream of steady and decent wages and an affordable home. Now, a woman who might be the next president will be in their kitchen.

The Espinozas came with nothing - and no papers - from Guadalajara, Mexico, and benefited from President Ronald Reagan's 1980s amnesty for immigrants. They now work at Las Vegas casinos - he in maintenance at the Golden Nugget, she as a seamstress at Harrah's.

Their brief explanation for supporting Clinton could serve as a lesson for political types: They like Clinton not because of some laundry list of issues, but because they get a certain feeling about her - that she was the real brains of the operation during her husband's presidency, and that she understands their concerns.

They support Clinton because of their own struggle, and the faith that the senator from New York will fight for those trying to achieve what they have, they said through an interpreter.

Plus, "Si, se puede!" Or roughly: "Yes, we can!"

Jose Espinoza is in the back yard , showing off his patio. It took six months and 450 bags of sand.

This is where more than 80 Clinton supporters, mostly the most dedicated volunteers, will hear her speak today.

After he learned he'd be granted the honor of a visit from Clinton, Espinoza jotted down some thoughts. (He's a voracious reader of history and philosophy.)

Here's a rough translation: We must unite ourselves and turn to democratic participation to elevate ourselves.

The Clinton campaign couldn't have scripted it better. And make no mistake, it's very scripted.

The campaign, known by admirers for its discipline, preparation and precision, and by others for its machinelike qualities, chose perfectly.

Clinton's chief rival, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, had a house party recently that earned him a boatload of free and easy media.

The Clinton campaign, with help from the Espinozas, has set up a nice contrast: This home and neighborhood are working class, on the east side of town, and sit in Assemblyman Ruben Kihuen's district

Kihuen is the first-ever immigrant legislator in Nevada and his endorsement is being aggressively sought by the presidential candidates in search of Hispanic support.

The courtship is so intense that his face keeps showing up in national newspapers that are giving him glowing profiles.

Kihuen told Clinton she should come to his district if she wants his support. He met the Espinozas when he was knocking on doors for his Assembly race and remembered Jose Espinoza as a Clinton supporter.

So, that's how one of the most recognized women in the world wound up at the Espinozas ' .

That's more than enough for Espinoza: "Candidates do not come into the Latino community. And she's coming into our kitchen."