Editorial: Securing Nevada’s spot

Monday, Feb. 12, 2007 | 7:16 a.m.

D espite all the talk of officials in New Hampshire trying to diminish Nevada's Democratic caucus next year, it looks as if the Silver State is settling nicely into its spot as second in line in the Democratic presidential sweepstakes.

New Hampshire officials have discussed moving up their primary before Nevada's caucus. The New Hampshire primary had been the first in the nation and the second in the schedule of political primaries and caucuses behind Iowa. Politicians in New Hampshire are worried about being upstaged, which is understandable.

This past week Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., announced she would join a forum for presidential candidates in Carson City on Feb. 21 - the first such event in the nation.

She will be joined by Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut, former senator and vice presidential candidate John Edwards, former Sen. Mike Gravel of Alaska, Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack.

The one missing candidate - Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois - said he had committed to an event that day in Iowa but pledged to come to Nevada on Feb. 18.

Adding further credibility to the forum, George Stephanopoulos of ABC News will moderate the event. Democrats also announced last week that CNN would broadcast a Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas in November - a year from the day of the general election.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the forum in Carson City would be a "great opportunity for candidates to discuss Nevada issues."

More than that, the forum should lay to rest the grumbling of other states and solidify Nevada's newfound place in presidential politics. The politicians in New Hampshire should realize that and quit whining.