J. Patrick Coolican

Reporter/ GA/ Politics

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Recent Stories (view all stories)

Climate could be right for GOP's Sandoval to capture Hispanic vote: Republican Brian Sandoval could capture the attention of the Hispanic community, thanks in part to Democrats’ inability to hold that voting bloc on issues such as health care, but on immigration ...; Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010; When Republican Party leaders engaged in a vitriolic attack on then-Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, it seemed to be a final nail into the coffin of GOP outreach to Hispanic voters.
Should we be upset by Obama's latest remarks on Las Vegas?: Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010; Here we go again — time to crank up the outrage machine.
For the second time in less than a year, President Barack Obama made an offhand swipe at Las Vegas.
Dreary reality aside, optimists make case for Vegas revival: Friday, Jan. 29, 2010; Watching Southern Nevada these past 30 months or so has been like watching a sick loved one wither and worsen, or like watching a continuous loop of an Ingmar Bergman film with dry, unsalted popcorn to snack on — endlessly depressing.
The Tea Party’s (old) paranoia: Today’s fervent ideological movement has roots in post-World War II right; Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010; The federal government, under the guise of helping the mentally ill, is establishing a concentration camp in Alaska to house political opponents — a new step on the path toward totalitarianism. Dan Smoot and other historical footnotes made the allegation in 1956, and it briefly became an obsessive cause of the right-wing grass roots, with each new allegation topping the last. Perhaps this episode sounds vaguely familiar.
Krolicki eyes Senate prize: Lieutenant governor says John McCain, others prodding him to join pack seeking to unseat Reid; Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010; Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki is strongly considering a run for the U.S. Senate against Sen. Harry Reid, he told the Sun on Wednesday, a move that would shake up a crowded Republican primary.
John McCain urges Krolicki to battle for Harry Reid's Senate seat: Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010; Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki is now strongly considering a run for the U.S. Senate this year against Sen. Harry Reid, he told the Sun today. "There are serious people making compelling arguments to me both in the state and out of the state to reconsider the Harry Reid race," Krolicki said. Republicans in Washington are displeased with the current crop of candidates taking on Reid, which includes former state Sen. Sue Lowden, former UNLV basketball star Danny Tarkanian and former state Assemblywoman Sharron Angle.
Las Vegan on Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission seeks answers from fat cats: After first hearing in D.C., lawyer points to lacking regulation; Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010; The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, the federal investigative body examining the causes of the 2008 financial meltdown, which led to the worst recession since the Great Depression, held its first public hearings last week, calling on the leaders of the nation’s largest financial institutions to testify. It will submit a final report to Congress in December.
Sen. John Ensign hosts forum on health reform: Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010; Sen. John Ensign on Wednesday hosted a town hall forum at the Summerlin library on health care legislation being considered by Congress, using the occasion to rally opposition.
Michael Steele: Remarks hurt image of Harry Reid, Nevada: Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010; Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, was in town this week and again condemned Sen. Harry Reid for racially insensitive remarks in which he claimed to believe President Barack Obama could be elected because he’s a “light-skinned” black man without A “Negro dialect” except when he wants to use it. Steele made his comments in an interview with Sun columnist Jon Ralston on his statewide interview show “Face to Face With Jon Ralston" on KVBC Channel 3, the local NBC affiliate.
Still on Reid's side: Friends — and juice for Nevada: Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010; No question about it, Harry Reid has had a bad few days: A new poll showed the Senate majority leader’s favorable rating in Nevada at 33 percent, and reports emerged of some awkward comments he made coming to light in a new book — that Barack Obama was a good presidential candidate because he is a light-skinned black man who has no “Negro dialect” except when he wants to.

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Recent Blog Posts (view all entries)

Ensign's chief of staff leaving: Wednesday, July 22, 2009; John Lopez, Sen. John Ensign's chief of staff, is leaving the senator's employ, as first reported by Sun columnist Jon Ralston.
Lawmakers preparing for governor's speech: Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009
Governor's budget won't spread the pain equally: Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009; I just left an embargoed press briefing on the governor's budget. "Embargo" in the media world means we can't reveal what was said until an appointed time, in this case, 6 p.m., when the governor makes his State of the State speech.
Mood more somber ahead of governor's speech: Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009
Danny Glover stumps for Obama: Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008; Memo to Democrats: No one cares about Danny Glover.
GOP gives help to Al Franken's opponent: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008
State Democratic leader says he's staying: Monday, Oct. 27, 2008
Ensign pointing finger at McCain: Monday, Oct. 27, 2008; Sen. John Ensign, R-Nevada, head of the Senate Republican election effort, is blaming the McCain campaign for his unhappiness.
Report: McCain's troubles in the West: Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008
Palin on the powers of a VP: Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008; Responding to a question from a third-grader today, here's Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin: