Las Vegas Sun

December 4, 2008

Hopefuls: It’s Elko or bust

Population 17,000 and visits by four presidential candidates within 24 hours

Image

Sam Morris

Presidential candidate John Edwards toasts Star Hotel bartender Natalie Carter with a house specialty, a Picon Punch, while making a campaign stop in Elko Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008.

By Alexandra Berzon

Sat, Jan 19, 2008 (2 a.m.)

Campaigning in Elko

You need to upgrade your Flash Player

More on the Democratic Candidates

2008 Caucus Coverage

Voter Breakdown & Contributions



See the interactive graphic »

Elko — What a whirlwind Friday for Ann Wright, with history unfolding right before her: four presidential candidates visiting this mining town in the span of 24 hours. In Elko!

“These people came all this way to see us,” said Wright, a waffling Democrat who was excited by all the attention the candidates were paying her little city.

John Edwards had shown up Thursday night, but drew only about 100 people to a rowdy, century-old bar. And frankly, many of them were more interested in drinking and socializing than politics.

Friday was different. In the morning there a Republican, Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, dropped by the middle school. Wright and her 16-year-old daughter joined about 300 other people to see him.

Then the Democrats: Hillary Clinton visited an Indian school gymnasium, filling the place with 600 to 1,000 people. While she was taking questions, many in the audience left to attend a Barack Obama event 20 minutes later at the high school.

Obama's event drew about twice as many people, it seemed.

All in all, Friday was a big day for this mostly Republican town of 17,000, 290 miles east of Reno. The place is giddy these days over the high price of gold and that keeps a sushi restaurant and fancy wine bar pretty busy.

Still, everyone wonders: Why would the Democratic heavyweights come here of all places, on the eve of the state’s caucus?

Political experts say the campaigns were pursuing the 50-state strategy promoted by Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean: Leave no Democrat ignored.

Jennifer Duffy, senior editor of the Cook Political Report, says Elko in particular has been targeted by Democratic state leaders as the perfect place to start carrying out Dean’s strategy in Nevada.

“This isn’t your Southern Baptist type of Republican here," said Sam Brown, assistant editor of the Elko Daily Free Press. "We have a lot of moderates and a lot of fence sitters, and the Democrats are hoping they’ll find some of them in November, so they’re laying the groundwork now.”

More pragmatically: Elko has an airport, making it the most accessible part of rural Nevada.

To Democratic voters here, the effort has not gone unnoticed.

When Leah Wilkinson arrived in 1999, she was scared to tell people that she was a Democrat. “I would have coffee with people and I would never discuss political beliefs. Now all the Democrats are coming out the woodwork and we’re starting to network with people we never knew were Democrats.”

About 15 of those people had joined Wilkinson on Thursday afternoon at Obama’s headquarters in downtown Elko, preparing for their candidate’s arrival. Next door, a volunteer at a much more sparse Clinton office was printing a “Welcome” sign.

“I see the tides changing,” said fifth-generation Elkoan Chris Walther, hanging out at the Star Restaurant before Edwards’ visit Thursday night. “Today I saw people marching in the center of town for Obama. I called my dad and I said, ‘You can’t believe this.’ We have people here in Elko holding up signs for a Democratic candidate.”

But the decisions of people such as miner Ralph Chiquete, a Republican who sometimes votes for Democrats, may be the real indicator here. He’s worried about Washington going after royalty fees on mines.

“We need people who know about mining,” said Chiquete, who found his way to the Edwards stump speech by accident. He had been going to meet his cousin for a drink. “These East Coast people, they don’t have a clue. All they want to do is cut mining and ranching down, but the country was made by miners and ranchers.”

All three Democratic candidates campaigning out here have told Elko that they’re against the royalty.

But come fall, Elko Daily Free Press columnist Douglas McMurdo says, the Democrats may as well forget any groundwork they have laid here if the Senate passes that bill.

“Everything else is secondary to mining," McMurdo said. "It’s about getting your livelihood taken away.”

Elko’s Republican mayor, Mike Franzoia, basked in Friday’s excitement and said he could imagine the Democrats’ groundwork paying off for them someday.

“In the short run maybe it won’t do much,” Franzoia said. “Trying to convince people of a different ideology doesn’t happen overnight. But that doesn’t mean they should just throw up their hands and say it’s a losing proposition. I think it’s worth their while to be here.”

Discussion: 8 comments so far…

  1. By concernedcitizen
    1/19/08 at 4:20 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    A Must See Video!!!!!!!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIiBkFxqk...

  2. By NVMojo
    1/19/08 at 6:23 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Hey, my old sort of hometown! I'd like to think we helped kick off making it safe for Dems in Elko a few years ago when we had a great turnout for Senator Harry Reid for a dinner there. And then we fought the local party status quo. Way to go, Elko!

    Nice quote, Mayor Mike!

  3. By RachelB
    1/19/08 at 8:16 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Obama's Record on Yucca:

    On April 18, 2002, the Illinois State Senate passed SR342 urging the U.S. Congress to support Bush on Yucca:

    Illinois State Senate Resolution 342 "urges Congress to sustain President Bush's affirmative decision on Yucca Mountain's suitability as a permanent federal repository for high-level radioactive materials." [S.R. 342, 4/18/02]

    Sen. Obama had the opportunity to speak out against the resolution but remained silent. From the State Senate transcript:

    "Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? If not, Senator Rauschenberger moves for the adoption of Senate Resolution 342. Those in favor say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it and the resolution was adopted." [Pg. 26, Illinois senate transcript, 4/18/02]

    In contrast, when a similar resolution came before the U.S. Senate in July 2002, Hillary voted against the resolution and issued a press release underscoring her opposition.

  4. By GoJake
    1/19/08 at 9:56 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Sacramento Bee endorsed Obama today!!!
    http://www.sacbee.com/110/story/646229.h...

  5. By dranfu
    1/19/08 at 10:10 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    What I regret about these recent weeks of dirty politics, is that Barack Obama, through no fault of his own, has been painted, in lurid colors, by the Clinton's(cause let's face it, Bill is running with Hillary this time:)) into a person he is really not. It's obvious that many people didn't know about Obama before this election heated up.

    I'm not trying to sway anyone's vote, because we are all going to vote the way according to our own reason. All these heated exchanges and bare naked attempts to appeal to each other's emotions for the benefit of our chosen candidate are not likely to change our minds. But with that said, and no matter if Hillary winds up destroying Barack, or if magically people wind up supporting him in wild numbers again, Barack Obama has honestly led a remarkable political life, and has largely worked toward helping the poor, fighting corporate power, and working to improve health care.

    Now, you may be skeptical of that, given all the press coverage and rumors that have been floating around, but it really is true. Read Time Magazines article - http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/...

    Time's article is clear and concise, but if you'd rather read just a listing of facts on Obama, read the Wikipedia Encyclopedia entry on him: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obam...

    Barack has lived a fairly noble life, as far as politicians go. So I just don't think its fair the way the media, and the Clinton's are trying destroying his image. he's lead a good life, and honestly believes in the idea that our government would better if we'd minimize bipartisanship polarization. He's one of our better politicians, and even if he doesn't win, he's still going to keep fighting for the common good.

  6. By dranfu
    1/19/08 at 10:11 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Why is it that John Kerry, Senior Sen. Patrick Leahy, and even Ted Sorenson, President Kennedy's Special Counsel & Adviser, and primary speech writer-- the same guy who wrote "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country", all support and have endorsed Obama? Why is it that Al Gore is rumored to soon support Obama as well.

    Do you think these seasoned political vets, with numerous years of experience under their belt, and with reputations to protect, would endorse Obama if they did not have good reason? Do you think they would just blindly choose Obama, without seriously scrutinizing his past and his record?

    If you do, then you really need to turn off CNN and start reading more.

    And why did these same figures not support Hillary. if Hillary is such a great candidate, such a great leader, if she is so about change, if she has so much experience, then why wouldn't they endorse her. Hasn't she been a US senator longer, and worked closely for longer with many of these people?

    If you want to know why, then why not watch them explain in their own words. I think your eyes will be opened up -- http://youtube.com/watch?v=ReDCmk2c2g8

  7. By redstateblue
    1/19/08 at 10:11 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    I must correct the impression given in this article that the turnout for the appearance by John Edwards was somehow lackluster, as "only 100 people" showed up; that's all you can fit in the lobby and bar of the Star Hotel at one time. It was packed, people were excited, he spoke with energy and passion, and he has my support!

  8. By dranfu
    1/19/08 at 10:21 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Edwards has my respect, Obama has my vote, and Clinton...is a shameful example of the kind of politics we must avoid at all cost.

    Enough said.

Post a comment

Commenting requires registration.

Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Full comments policy.

Username:
Password: (Forgotten your password?)

OR Create an account (It's free)

  • Most Read
  • Discussed
  • Most E-mailed

Complete Listing

Calendar

Grand opening of Frankie's Tiki Room

Grand opening of Frankie's Tiki Room

(12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Frankie's Tiki Room)