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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval addresses delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012.
By Karoun Demirjian (contact) 
Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012 | 2 a.m.
Sun coverage
TAMPA, Fla. — When Brian Sandoval spoke to the Republican National Convention, he used his personal American story to make a pitch for the country to vote for Mitt Romney.
But it’s what he didn’t say about himself that may have been his loudest message at the convention.
Sandoval is in many ways the Republicans’ best answer to the two voting blocs where the Democrats feel they have the upper hand on the issues: women and Hispanics.
Democrats have long been charging that Republicans aren’t sympathetic to Hispanic voters because of the party’s opposition to immigration reforms like the Dream Act, a measure that would put undocumented immigrants with long tenure in this country on a pathway to citizenship.
They’ve also charged Republicans with waging a “war on women” over reproductive rights, a claim that was punctuated 10 days ago when Republican Rep. Todd Akin, who is running for the Senate in Missouri, questioned the necessity of abortion because he believed women were hard-wired to “shut that whole thing down” and avoid pregnancy in the case of rape.
Republican leaders cut off Akin’s campaign funding and publicly called for him to drop out of the race after his statements but still have sustained hits from Democrats who accuse the GOP of sharing the bulk of Akin’s views, even if they condemn his comment.
Enter Sandoval, the pro-choice Republican.
“He is a wonderful person to speak for the Republican Party to show how we are not …” said rural delegate Chairman Wes Rice, pausing as he struggled to search for the right word to describe Akin.
“Keep it clean,” RNC committeewoman Heidi Smith of Nevada warned him, smiling.
“Let’s make it positive,” Nevada delegate Kim Bacchus jumped in. “We’re a huge, inclusive party. A litmus test for abortion is what the Democrats do, not what we do.”
Abortion has, however, been widely discussed on the campaign trail, especially at the presidential level. Romney, now the Republican presidential nominee, made a quick “evolution” to bring his views, formerly pro-choice, into line with the party’s pro-life platform.
Sandoval doesn’t discuss his position on abortion much. But his pro-life stance appeared to keep him off the short list for vice president, a position for which his name was tossed about earlier this election season.
Part of what put his name in circulation for consideration in the first place was his Hispanic heritage.
“We have two Hispanic governors in this country, and both of them are Republicans,” said David Gibbs, an alternate delegate and former chair of the Clark County Republican Party.
Republicans have been determined to pull a greater share of the Hispanic vote than they’ve enjoyed in the past few election cycles. On paper, Sandoval wouldn’t seem to be the man to help them do it — he couldn’t pull a majority of Hispanics in 2010, even though he trounced his opponent, Rory Reid, by 20 points.
But Nevada Republicans consider that outcome a fluke and say Sandoval is still one of their best guys to carry the party’s message to Hispanic voters.
“In 2010, Harry Reid was running. The busloads of casino workers were told who to vote for. If they wanted to keep their jobs, they voted for Harry Reid. But Hispanic voters’ values align much more closely with Gov. Sandoval’s than they do with Sen. Reid’s,” Bacchus said, referring to the Nevada senator who won about 70 percent of the Hispanic vote in 2010, a turnout he credited largely to his support for the Dream Act.
“These people understand the value of work, of owning your own business, of having a job of getting ahead,” Bacchus continued. “Our Hispanic population’s stories are similar to the Marco Rubio story and that of Gov. Sandoval’s.”
During his own campaign, Sandoval was often reticent to discuss his Hispanic heritage. During his speech before the Republican National Convention, he shrugged off that reticence.
“I have seen Hispanic business owners and families from backgrounds not unlike my own struggle in this economy,” Sandoval said, before delivering his closing argument for the Romney-Ryan ticket. “From personal experience, I can tell you what will help states like Nevada and families like mine: Elect the team that understands how to get America working again.”
CNN and MSNBC skipped every speech from a Republican of color. They broke to panel discussions during Sandoval's speech.
They skipped the speech by Arthur Davis. They skipped the speech by Mia Love.
They had time for Santorum, Walker, and every other old white guy.
They had a plan
LV Sun last night was the RNC and this is the only article that you write about? Probably the biggest election in decades and this is your coverage? We will see how bias this newspaper is when I read the coverage you give to the DNC.
You know what..I am pro-life to the core, but the second part of the question is, I am pro-choice for you. You make the right decision.
Do you ever wonder why polls show between 45% and 52% of people are pro-life, but when put on a ballot, the pro-choice wins by above 70%? I am not in this boat alone..quit reading into his speech.
"'In 2010, Harry Reid was running. The busloads of casino workers were told who to vote for. If they wanted to keep their jobs, they voted for Harry Reid.'"
Enjoyed the article, Karoun, but I gotta weigh in on this guy Bacchus and this blatantly false comment he said above.
He thinks he can just re-write recent Nevada political history by saying that?
What he said was not only incorrect, but it was stupid. There were no busloads of casino workers all told who to vote for in that key Senate race here in Nevada.
What Bacchus failed to mention is the unmitigated fact that Senator Reid's opponent was over the top with her verified and veiled hatred of the Latino Americans. Sharron Angle did everything in her power to fearmonger by slamming and attacking the entire Latino American vote here in Nevada.
She grouped all valid Latino voters in with illegal immigrants, with no distinction at all, all in order to curry the Caucasian vote here in Nevada.
One specific ad Sharron Angle had on television was despicable. It showed supposedly Mexicans standing in America in front of a fence, wearing bandanas, flashing gang signs, with a serious I'm gonna kill you and rape everything in sight look on their face. The inference was simply that you white people need to be afraid, very afraid, because Senator Reid wants us in America to kill you. BLATANT SCAREMONGERING.
And look what that got them? Sharron Angle was trounced by just about 22 percent. This stupid tactic was hogwash. And it totally enraged and mobilized the Latino American voters here in Nevada to vote for Senator Reid. And they did. OVERWHELMINGLY.
But here comes this Tea/Republican shill Bacchus and he has his own interpretation of political history. And it's only self-serving. To suit the needs of his dumb narrow-minded ultra-conservative political party.
We Nevadans don't buy this Bacchus line of Tea/Republican Party propaganda.
I'm so sick and tired of Tea/Republicans who believe to their very soul that if they can't promote their candidate properly by facts, they make up stuff, then repeat it over and over and over and over again, and, if that don't work, SHOUT IT OUT LOUDER AND LOUDER! Then if that don't work make up television ads, newspaper ads, billboard, internet, flyers, fly it off of banners behind slow moving aircraft, JUST THROW IT OUT THERE! Don't matter if it's true or not. The agenda is more important than facts.
Really dumb. I see through it. And others here see through it too. But go ahead, Bacchus, keep it up. It's only going to work against the Tea/Republicans in the end.
Sandoval's a token prop, used to portray a party as diverse when it's actually lily white. Sandoval and his governing philosophy have failed, proving that low taxes and small government don't produce a conservative panacea.
Sandoval's policies has given Nevada a 12% unemployment rate. This guy should be held as an example of how NOT to govern a state.
I am pro life: I favor rational treatment of those of us already here, legally. We must stop the attacks on self-reliant adults and start supporting them--we are the ones that make the economy function. And LVS, why such anti-conservative and anti-Republican tone to each and every bit of media coverage?????
My short comment on Gov. Sandoval. Watched his so called speach and far as I am concerned he threw a few knives into the back of the Pres. Really what does that solve. Sandoval may be a "nice guy", but far as I am concerned he is no aggressor for the state of Nevada. I really don't know what he has done to "create jobs" for Nevada. He states that he will create 50,000 jobs in 2014, my question is, why not now, or is this election talk again. He seems to blow a lot of smoke U know where.
This one party knocking the other is really getting sickening, I mean these politicians are sick and act like a bunch of kids. Anyway, Sandoval you do not impress me and I really don't know what you do for Nevada?.
What has Sandoval done for Nevada, mainly the population center of Clark County? Steve Wynn and Sheldon Adelson are doing fine. That is what he has done.
While I did vote for Sandoval over Reid, and would do so again, I find it a little disconcerting to look at the economic turn-arounds state's like OH, IN, and WI have enjoyed under GOP govs and our own poor performance. No doubt our dependency on tourism and subsequent vulnerability to national & international economy has played into it, but still, maybe it's time he moved a little more aggressively on the job creation front.
I did not catchthe speech, did he tell folks that his "children did not look Hispanic" as he has done in the past?
Also, what does the GOVO.2 think of the RNC lawsuit against the "none of the above" voting option? If I was a reporter I'd call politicians to find out their view. I called Sandoval's office and they said they would get back to me.
Roberta wrote another obtuse post with this gem:
"We must stop the attacks on self-reliant adults..."
There is no such thing as self reliance. Roberta wrote that statement on a machine made possible by the combined efforts of many people and communicated (if you want to call it that) to the rest of us over a system built and supported by untold others.
Mr. Sandoval has yet to improve conditions for Nevadans. His status according to media is improving, how and why is not readily noticeable to people who continue to struggle in our current economy. Being of Spanish heritage make Gov. Sandoval popular?
Gov. Sandoval is business as per usual here in Nevada, as our state is giving Illinois and Louisiana a good run in an effort to be number 1 in state government corruption?
Gov. Sandoval continues the Nevada time honored practice of see no, here no, investigate no timely formal safety/false record violations in Nevada's mining industry diverting complaints to Nevada's premier corrupt Dept. of Business and Industry and not forwarding on to the new mining oversight committee, a sign that points to a in-the-pocket-of-NV-mining-industry-politician who's smile and Spanish heritage is somehow supposed to make-up for a lack of integrity?
When will Nevada have a governor who cares more for his fellow Nevadans than for his career advancement, a man of the people for the people?
Sandoval is being used and apparently likes it. If he think these people really consider him one of themselves he is delusional. Sorry dude you are Hispanic and thus you have the wrong DNA.
Imperialism and Eugenics are the only things theses extremists really care about. All the flowery rhetoric and powder is not fooling me.
They hate Obama because he is half Black. That is the ONLY issue in this public lynching so why do we act as if there are others? They have been after Obama since he was considered a viable Democratic contender in 2007. They have done nothing but fight his presidency for going on 4 yrs now.
What amazes me is how most people don't just come out and call these nazis for what they are. The Black Community gets it.
Even this comment the other day by Romney saying nobody has ever asked him for his birth cert was misinterpreted by most Progressives.
The comment was 100% Racist. What he meant was us Real Americans, i.e white Christian folk, never question our right to be here since it is our lilly-White Christian Nation to begin with. All others must prove themselves worthy of temporary status in our Kingdom. Even then you lack the correct DNA and will always be subject.
Romney's bid should have ended right there in Michigan.
Let's face it. Sandoval was paraded out there to the national stage as a figurine to set there for everyone to look at. As if to say, oh, look, you people say we're racists, but hey, no, we got something that says otherwise, look, here's a Governor from Nevada, he's a Latino American, see how acommodating we are, look at how much nice guys we are, we love everyone, even though we don't. We're not so bad after all, huh?
Very transparent. They don't go for substance. They go for sound bytes.
Sandoval was used. RNC grabbed him, polished him a bit, thrust a camera/microphone in his face, say a few words, Governor, pose, no, not like that, turn this way, turn that way, thrust your chin out like you're going to kick someone's butt, say something, but not that much, don't mess it up, stay on script, don't mention you still work for Jones Vargas and run interference for Nevada mining interests and their ability to pay the least amount of taxes, all in order so they can take the fruit of their mining not only outside of Nevada, but outside of the United States also, okay, great, good job, you didn't stutter once, you didn't flub anything, now go away, go back to Nevada and into relative obscurity.
Just like Andy Warhol says, that was yer fifteen minutes. It's over. Bye bye, Sandoval.
sandavols a stiff--i don't care what race he is---mormons will give romney nevada no doubt. anyone who thinks the mormons don't control nevada has no clue about nevada. wake up people. thats not a slam, it is just the way it is.
All the supposed "issues" are smoke.
If you are in their powdery group you do not care about most of the "issues" raised.
Unemployment? are you kidding me? who thinks these people ever have a problem being placed? Has zero to do with qualifications and everything to do with appearance. High unemployment to a CONservative means that part of their control grid is working properly. Black unemployment has not changed in my lifetime and I am past fifty now. That is an accident? or somehow a black persons fault?
The problem is Obama. The problem is he is anti-imperialism. That threatens the Military Industrial Complex. I do not believe for a second the arrests this week of a group plotting to kill Obama a coincidence. Their mistake was not following orders and understanding they had not been given the go yet. The minute you think they were rogue is the minute you forget what is really going on.
This silly movie TEAmark has been promoting the last few weeks is about why Obama is a threat. Why they believe he is Socialist and why his anti-Colonialist mentality cannot stand. They may have Obama in a box on most issues but their is always the issue of Obama's creed. Which runs completely counter to the agenda of the MIC.
Neal Boortz, right-wing Limbaugh wannabe hate talker yesterday at a Tea Party Rally in Tampa: "And, ladies and gentlemen, it is 100 years of government education that led us to the point that a man like Barack Obama could be sworn in as President of the United States."
The tragedy is it took 100 yrs.
Governor Sandoval didn't do anyone any favors last night. He made Al Gore look like Gumby, and now he seems as wishy-washy as Romney. Nevada is known for its exploitation of minority labor, low social services and miserly employee protections, so his concern for minority businesses seems strange.
Likewise, blaming the Obama administration for Nevada's problems is a cop-out. Especially considering the vast power the Governor has usurped for the executive branch in his development of a new economic development agency. He just gave $90m to Apple, and he's complaining that the federal government is in his way? Please.
And he didn't forfeit his lifetime position on the bench to join in a fight against the Obama administration...
Brian Sandoval revealed himself as malleable and inconsistent, adjusting his story to win votes. Just like Romney.
Will the Dumbocrats savage hispanics as much as they do african-americans who wander off the liberal plantation? Identity politics 101. As Harry says, he can't understand why a hispanic would vote republican. Stay tuned.
Americans love liars and being lied to, as long as it's what they want to hear. Who's Bill Ayers?
Here's Bill Ayers wikipedia pages. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Ayers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Ayers_...
"Investigations by The New York Times, CNN, and other news organizations concluded that Obama did not have a close relationship with Ayers."
Who is Ann Romney to point her finger at others? Her lifestyle offends me frankly. Five children? in an era where the Planet is threatened by over population and she has FIVE kids?
Who are these people?
Our Governor Brian Sandoval gave a refreshing Speech
Sandoval brought a distribution center for this company to Nevada. Shows his racial insensitivity.
http://news.yahoo.com/9-urban-outfitters...
the economy is starting to turn around.
So the repugnicans want to get into office so they can claim that they fixed the economy.
It will all be an illusion and have nothing to do with what they will destroy.
Sandoval is an empty suit. However, he looks good on camera and has the right heritage. As any Tea Bagger will tell you, image is far more important than substance. Besides, they can't have people who think for themselves too much, because then the string-pullers couldn't control them.
I'm a Mexican who looks like a Mexican and there are many of us who will not support a man who is glad his kids don't look Hispanic.
50 shades of brown.
And Sandoval is not one of them.
Boortz has it about right, given that we're going through a third 'summer of recovery' . The inherited thing won't be missed.
Here is Harry obstructing new jobs in Nevada, in case you missed it.
http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/bill-brings-...
"the economy is starting to turn around."......
Thank you Caribou Barbie and the TEA Party Americans that took Nancy Pelosi's gavel and fired seventy two democrat socialist congressman during the midterm 2010 elections 21 months ago. Up next is Bill Ayer's protege and the downtrodden masses hero. Americans love liars and liars love America, wikipedia and the media is rock solid proof.
People, I hate to be so blunt, but sometimes in life you simply have to call a spade just what it is. And this governor who, in my opinion, insults the intelligence of every latino/a who is of mixed heritage/race, is an example of a useless puppet if ever one existed.
If he were a bit darker skinned, as MOST Mexicans and others who come thru the back door of America are, I have no doubt he would have NEVER been asked to speak at the convention in prime time. He is what is referred to as "passable" to most of the GOP schedulers and insiders. Passable in this case meaning that his message will resonate to the rank and file members of the GOP who will no doubt connect him to the European lineage of hispanics and not the ones who come here and do the back-breaking work that most Americans WILL NOT DO regardless of how dire their economic situation is. He is the type who will be allowed to be "heard" and not just seen. That is as long as he sticks to the prepared speech given to him, which he did an excellent job of doing.
Though I do feel sorry for the people of New Orleans who have to endure another hurricane on the anniversary of Katrina I am grateful that the useless squawking parrot governor of that state, Bobby Jindal, will not able to once again make a fool of himself pretending to be white in front of an audience who would prefer Herman Cain to him if a personal choice were asked of it's members (the GOP rank and file).
This time around his equally useless counter-part, Niki Halley of South Carolina, was used instead. Will it ever end? I doubt in my lifetime.
Well done, Governor Sandoval. Not once did you give hope to the darker skinned (and much needed) laborers who cross the border the feeling that you spoke for "them". I sure the pat on your head (and mental kick in the seat.....) they gave you made you feel real good.
Sandoval in a "HINO". He has no empathy or cognizance of the life of "for real" Hispanics living in this state, or country. I posted quite awhile ago that Sandoval is nothing but a political hack and opportunist, who will do anything to attain higher political office. His "speech" at the 'Bagger convention is conclusive evidence of this. He can't wait to bail on the state of Nevada, and attempt to be elected to higher (ie; Federal political office), and leave the citizens of Nevada tossed under the bus. He is all about himself, and his ambitions; NOT FOR NEVADAN'S.
Sandoval went to Bishop Manogue in Reno. He is not from poverty. But he is a good person, with amazing values. The handful of times I've seen him he is with his children.
An interesting thing about newspaper message boards... Many are worried that he doesn't represent YOU, but most here are self-loathing, and blame all of their problems on the government! Of course he doesn't represent you! He doesn't make excuses for his failures.
Trucker: "People, I hate to be so blunt..."
Aww, you just hate. Thanks for your expertise on Mexicans though. As Obama would say, "par for the course" on these boards.
Sandoval is killing Nevada. No jobs, no housing revovery, no plan. Sandoval is anti business.
Re NorNev: "with amazing values". Really? Let me tell you what his values REALLY ARE; POLITICAL ADVANCEMENT AT ALL COSTS. HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT YOU, ME OR ANYONE ELSE WHO CAN'T ADVANCE HIS POLITICAL "AGENDA", which is to continue to feed off of the PUBLIC TEAT, at taxpayer's expense. Just another political parasite, who could CARE LESS ABOUT YOU OR ME.
I really liked the Governor's speech. He is a model for everyone, Hispanic or not. The real political hack is Obama. There is no secret hidden agenda with Mr. Sandoval.
Sandoval doesn't listen to his constituents. He takes orders from higher-ups like a good little drone. Here's a very good example: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/aug...