Las Vegas Sun

July 20, 2008

Jon Ralston

Elko Embarrassment No. 3 may be coup de grace
By Jon Ralston
What happens in Elko doesn’t stay in Elko for Jim Gibbons. Three years ago, he unleashed a maniacal, frothing vituperation against liberals that was first noteworthy for its hyperventilating rhetoric and then infamous because it was pilfered from, of all people, an Alabama state auditor. Elko Embarrassment No. 1.
How the sinking Republican ship could take Bob Beers and Joe Heck down with it
By Jon Ralston
As Democrats here gush about their ever-widening registration advantage, the chances for Barack Obama to win the state and Dina Titus’ opportunity to erase Jon Porter from Congress, the conventional wisdom on the party’s ability to take control of the state Senate has been less sanguine and very simple: It is virtually nil.
All eggs in gaming basket for the birds
By Jon Ralston
News Item No. 1 — In a comprehensive, detailed analysis of the business climates of the states, CNBC ranks Nevada 45th. News Item No. 2 — Nevada’s gaming win in May 2008 was 15 percent less than it was in May 2007.
Jon Ralston says if term limits is voters’ drug of choice, let them have it
By Jon Ralston
Term limits, the morphine for the pained voter, providing temporary relief from symptoms but no cure for the disease, has returned to the forefront of Nevada politics. And it is making me sick.
A history-making gubernatorial race
By Jon Ralston
Imagine a marathon with only one runner visible on the course, quietly making her way, trying to make history.
Jon Ralston notes, sadly, special session
By Jon Ralston
It didn’t take long. Not much unexpected happened. Nothing especially noteworthy occurred.
McCain's Yucca song and dance
By Jon Ralston
Notes on 15 minutes spent with presumptive GOP nominee John McCain in a van on the way from the Henderson campaign headquarters to the Signature Air terminal:
Public workers getting a bad rap
By Jon Ralston
So what can we do with all these overpaid government workers who rake in more than the poor slobs in the private sector here? Here’s an idea: Let’s take away their cost-of-living raises and caricature them as indolent, two-hour-lunch-taking, useless slugs. Everyone onboard?
How state Democrats are managing to look as bad as Gibbons
By Jon Ralston
If ever you question the unpredictability of politics, consider that in one day Gov. Jim Gibbons ascended from hapless leader to fiscal visionary, and legislative Democrats fell from eager partisans to neutered whiners.
Nine questions about special session
By Jon Ralston
Some questions and answers about the 24th special session, aka the Save the Governor Telethon:
Irony in Lanni’s proposal
By Jon Ralston
At the very least, you have to appreciate Terry Lanni’s sense of irony: The MGM Mirage chairman who once went to the Chamber of Commerce’s home turf to lambaste businesses for not paying their fair share now is pushing an increase in the tax the Chamber of Commerce invented in 2003.
Jon Ralston questions Nevada legislators’ reasons, in this time of financial crisis, for not wanting to legislate
By Jon Ralston
Faced with the worst budget mess in Nevada history, state legislators can oppose a special session only if they have faith in the governor to handle the disaster.
Dems have selfish motives for resisting
By Jon Ralston
Barring an indictment, an impeachment or a recall — or, least likely, an attack of conscience — Jim Gibbons will be the governor until his term ends in 2010, either voluntarily or forcibly.
Take Gibbons’ phone, please
By Jon Ralston
The parties have agreed that there will be no further public comment from either side while the parties attempt to resolve issues related to the divorce action. — Joint statement from Gibbons’ attorneys, Monday
Jon Ralston imagines what might be said during a private meeting between Jim Rogers and Jim Gibbons
By Jon Ralston
It may not have been freighted with the same significance as the Barack Obama-Hillary Clinton meeting in Dianne Feinstein’s living room. But last week, in a sit-down kept under close wraps until now, Gov. Jim Gibbons accepted Chancellor Jim Rogers’ invitation to discuss the budget cuts.

Blog: Ralston's Flash

Moody's goes negative on Nevada
The investor's service has revised its outlook for Nevada's financial situation. Read it at right.
3 days, 12 hours ago
Rogers: I won't be intimidated By Gibbons and his No. 1 minion!
Chancellor Jim Rogers says Jim Gibbons and Monte Miller are trying to muzzle him. Figure the odds of that happening. And he says the higher ...
4 days, 11 hours ago

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Face To Face: The Final Take

Updates from executive producer Dana Gentry

Missionary positions (1 Comment)
I will never view Mormon missionaries in quite the same way after a gander at the young men featured in the "Mormons Exposed: Men on ...
2 days, 11 hours ago
No Stupid Questions (1 Comment)
It's one of the basic rules of journalism: there are no stupid questions. So this morning when Jon suggested he begin the interview with Elko ...
4 days, 11 hours ago

Face To Face

Face to Face: Top Priority?

July 16 - Jon talks with candidates running for two open seats in the Assembly. Democrat Marilyn Dondero ...

Face to Face: Sweetheart Deal?

July 15 - Elko County Assessor Joe Aguirre says he was pressured into giving Governor Jim Gibbons a ...

Face to Face: Just For Show?

July 14 - A doctor granted immunity for taking the stand in a federal trial against attorney Noel ...

Face to Face: One Trick Pony?

July 11 - Nevada's economy suffers another setback and Gov. Jim Gibbons tells state agencies to brace for ...

Find all Face to Face

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Trisha Yearwood

Trisha Yearwood

Gramm-Award winning country music singer. ( Orleans Hotel-Casino)