Editorial: Spotlight on Nevada

Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007 | 7:01 a.m.

The unofficial start in the race to be the next Democratic presidential nominee got under way Wednesday in our state, which will hold the nation's second presidential nominating contest in 2008. It was in Carson City on Wednesday that the major Democratic presidential candidates, with the exception of Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, met to discuss issues in a forum sponsored by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Just hours before the forum, there were heated exchanges between the campaigns of Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York, the front-runner in the race. The flashpoint was because of remarks made by Hollywood mogul David Geffen, who recently held a fundraiser for Obama, that were harshly critical of former President Bill Clinton. Hillary Clinton declined to directly answer moderator George Stephanopoulos' question as to whether Obama should condemn Geffen's comments. But Clinton deftly noted that she didn't want "Democrats or supporters of candidates to be engaging in the politics of personal destruction." Touche.

Along with Clinton, Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, former Iowa Gov. Tim Vilsack, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut and former vice presidential candidate John Edwards displayed a real understanding of the important issues facing America, including the grave and untenable situation in Iraq. Former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel and Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio also spoke at the forum.

The forum's format was limiting - no direct exchanges between candidates were allowed, for instance, and the candidates didn't have much time to speak. Nonetheless, it was a great opportunity for Nevadans to hear firsthand the views of the Democratic candidates.

Indeed, we can expect to see a lot more of the Democrats in the weeks and months ahead, as the candidates hope to cash in by winning Nevada and gaining momentum to boost their candidacy and ultimately get their party's nomination.

The road to the Democratic presidential nomination certainly will run through Nevada. And, quite possibly in what has become a pivotal swing state in previous elections, the road to the White House could run through Nevada as well.