PRESS RELEASE from the Nevada Democratic Party
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2006

 

REID TO PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES: WELCOME TO NEVADA!
Democratic Leader Invites Hopefuls to Campaign in the Silver State

Senator Harry Reid of Nevada has sent a letter to each of the 2008 Democratic presidential hopefuls, inviting them to campaign in Nevada.  In addition to the state’s diverse population--including a large percentage of Hispanic residents--the Democratic Leader from Nevada reminded candidates that winning the Nevada caucuses will be key to a Democrat winning the West and capturing the presidency.

“Nevada has been and continues to be a battleground state that can be delivered for the eventual Democratic nominee.  It is a state that voted for Clinton in 1992 and 1996 and John Kerry only narrowly lost by 2.5% in 2004,” Reid stated.  “An early investment here will not only help to deliver Nevada’s electoral votes in November but will help deliver other Western states as well.”

Although almost all of the Democratic presidential candidates have visited Nevada in recent months, several hopefuls, including Sen. John Edwards, Gov. Bill Richardson, and former Gov. Mark Warner, have already made stops in Nevada after the state was selected by the DNC in August to hold the second caucus in the nation.  Reid wants the remaining candidates to know that Nevada remains neutral territory and is fertile ground for Democratic candidates looking for early support.

The letter adds, “It affords candidates the opportunity to engage and earn the support of racially and ethnically diverse communities that are drastically underrepresented in Iowa and New Hampshire.  Conversely, like the endearing trademark of the original pre-window primary and caucus states, Nevada requires candidates to hone their retail political skills; from the urban population center in Clark County to the high-desert communities in the Northern part of the state, Nevadans want to see and hear the candidate.  Organized labor’s strong presence in Nevada makes it a great platform to garner national attention on key labor issues. And with three major military installations and the third largest population of military retirees in the nation, Nevada also offers candidates multiple venues to discuss national security and veterans issues.  Most importantly, without a favorite son or daughter, every candidate running in Nevada enters on equal footing.”

The full text of the letter is below.

 

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September 14, 2006

Dear XXXX:

        As you know, last month the DNC approved a new schedule for the pre-window that now includes Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.  On behalf of all Nevada Democrats, I invite you to campaign in Nevada vigorously and know that we are fully committed to ensuring a well-run caucus that will allow the nation to view all candidates through a broader prism.

        The Nevada Caucus represents a fresh opportunity for candidates to engage new voters and discuss issues that affect not only Nevada, but all western states, such as public land use, water rights, mining, agriculture, population growth, and Yucca Mountain.   It affords candidates the opportunity to engage and earn the support of racially and ethnically diverse communities that are drastically underrepresented in Iowa and New Hampshire.  Conversely, like the endearing trademark of the original pre-window primary and caucus states, Nevada requires candidates to hone their retail political skills; from the urban population center in Clark County to the high-desert communities in the Northern part of the state, Nevadans want to see and hear the candidate.  Organized labor’s strong presence in Nevada makes it a great platform to garner national attention on key labor issues. And with three major military installations and the third largest population of military retirees in the nation, Nevada also offers candidates multiple venues to discuss national security and veterans issues.  Most importantly, without a favorite son or daughter, every candidate running in Nevada enters on equal footing.

        Nevada has been and continues to be a battleground state that can be delivered for the eventual Democratic nominee.  It is a state that voted for Clinton in 1992 and 1996, and John Kerry only narrowly lost by 2.5% in 2004.  An early investment here will not only help to deliver Nevada’s electoral votes in November but will help deliver other Western states as well.

        While change is unsettling for some states and some members of our party, I sincerely encourage each candidate to abide by the new rules and regulations established by the DNC.   This new schedule transfers the decision process from a cadre of homogeneous regional leaders and expands it to all regions of our country.  Candidates opting to bypass the Nevada Caucus not only run the risk of losing delegates, they run the risk of alienating constituencies critically important to the Democratic Party.

        The people of Nevada accept the responsibility of taking a leading role in selecting the next Democratic Presidential nominee.  Again, I urge you to visit the state and earn the support of Nevada Democrats.  As the potential Democratic nominee, you will be stronger in the general election from the experience.
 
Sincerely,