Nevada Democrats Soar To National Prominence

(A Behind The Scenes, On The Inside Look & Analysis)

                                    

The history making first Nevada Presidential Debate, produced by CNN, and the largest  Jefferson-Jackson Dinner ever, sponsored by the Clark County, Nevada Democratic Party is now behind us – and it took a ton of teamwork to get it done so very professionally.  It is so important to thank all of those who volunteered, came together and collaborated so successfully for all of us – and they are due full public recognition.  At the same time, it’s important to give an objective analysis to where some things did not go so well and we can focus on taking corrective action(s) to improve next time.

 

I attended both events, the CNN produced Debate at the UNLV Rebels Thomas & Mack Center, and this historic Jefferson-Jackson Dinner at the beautiful Paris Hotel & Casino Convention Center (where weeks, and many long days of hard volunteer work went into preparations by local Democratic Party members).  I was very fortunate to get into the coveted “Red Zone” at the CNN Debate where only 100 pre-selected people, allegedly all “undecided” voters, were seated to represent the diversity of all of us as Nevadans. 

 

The UNLV Sponsored 2008 Presidential Debate (produced by CNN):

 

Each of us had been asked by CNN to submit 5 questions, in advance, for consideration and review.  CNN producers, then, selected who would ask questions representing the general population on which topics, and which specific questions would be asked.  Sadly, CNN was totally focused on producing an “entertaining” event to boost their ratings and make as much money as possible.  The fact that this was a historic newsworthy event was not proportionately important – to CNN it was all about exploiting the opportunity, and the people, for profit – it was all about the money!  This is why so many now believe that the MSM (Main Stream Media) has failed the 4^th Estate – and professional journalism, as we once knew it as the guardian of truth for the people, is, today, barely surviving on a death bed in America!  We have serious problems with the corporate consolidation of our media – and Fox news is probably the worst example, but, we have similar problems in all of our news outlets (save, perhaps, only PBS – our Public Broadcasting System and CSPAN).  The American people are being conned and played by media corporations out to maximize their profit margins – so, here’s the sad reality from the inside looking out.

 

First off, no one could take any sort of recording device into the event, no cameras, and no cell phones (so everyone was disempowered from communicating with anyone else), not even a pen and pad were allowed – it was all about CNN dictating and controlling the environment!  Hell, we were not even allowed to take in a bottle of water – and we found ourselves corralled for nearly 2 hours before the event even began, without food, or even access to water – in the desert environment of Nevada!  Thankfully, about 30 minutes prior (after a number of complaints) people were allowed a quick restroom and water fountain visit, then, hurried back into our seats – like little more than sheep into a corral.

Then, it was back to captive audience time – when the producers, suddenly, started explaining (in stern tones) how the event was “designed” and went through a litany of “CNN’s Do’s and DON’TS!”  Now, to be fair it wasn’t as bad as my first day at boot camp in the Army – but, it was pretty obvious that they were extremely serious about any misbehavior, including discouraging any political activism, or free speech, on the part of some independent thinking civilians.  At that point, I looked around, and it became very, very obvious that there was a lot of “supplemental” security types in the house working independently of the U. S. Secret Service and Nevada State, Clark County and UNLV Police – it made me wonder if, perhaps, CNN had contracted with any of the highly controversial Professional Military Corporations – I’ll have to save this thought and explore the possibility of any “Media Mercenaries” in a future column.

 

Suddenly, everyone felt so intimidated and uncomfortable by CNN staff you could cut the air with a knife – people began grumbling under their breath as Wolf Blitzer tried to do his best to put a happy face on and smooth things over.  Then, the senior producer took the stage and explained further CNN’s rationale, followed by another who explained how important it was for everyone to be positive and create a pep-rally like celebration ambiance for everyone’s benefit – including all Nevadans, the Nevada State Democratic Party and UNLV.  Of course, we all supported being on our best behavior and cast in the very best possible light on national television.  But, it was clear; we had entered some surreal, alternative environment – much like the convention cult of an Amway meeting (and we were all captured, disempowered, innocent participants for the next two hours)!

 

As Wolf Blitzer, who I really respected a great deal (up until this debacle), explained the sequence of events that was about to unfold, he introduced the other highly respected journalists on site: Campbell Brown, John Roberts and Suzanne Malveaux…and you would have thought we had been graced with the presence of some of the most talented in journalism if it were not for the strutting and stench of social success, pathetic, pompous professionalism and utter air of elitism as they entered the “arena” – after all, we common 100 were just the “little people” being used (and abused) to advance the careers of CNN’s super-hero’s of the night!  I wish this had not happened – only Suzanne Malveaux even attempted to mingle with the crowd and treat them with due dignity and respect (while Brown and Rogers assumed their throne of superiority on their stage amongst us) – thank you Suzanne for saving some semblance of dignity for CNN and journalists everywhere!

 

Campbell Brown	John Roberts	Suzanne Malveaux

 

This is an important point, Malveaux hasn’t forgotten her common roots, and though she was just as busy as everyone else, and under the same measure of pressure to prepare and perform – she was a consummate professional and genuinely personable, taking a quick moment to acknowledge everyone in the “Red Zone” and thanking them personally, and smiling and shaking hands and patting shoulders – this was greatly appreciated (at a time when many were feeling very uncomfortable) – KUDOS to Suzanne Malveaux for being the class act of CNN this evening!  I’ll give Campbell Brown a pass as she’s pregnant and I understand why she may have wanted to limit her interaction.  I was disappointed John Roberts didn’t even make much eye contact with the “peasant people” – and it was very offensive.  John Roberts could have, and in my opinion should have, made more of an effort to greet the crowd and spent a few moments socializing and just being civil. I wish I could give Wolf Blitzer such praise as was due Suzanne Malveaux, but in all honesty, I just can not – Wolf was clearly having an off night.  I love Wolf’s show “The Situation Room” and watch it regularly and I absolutely love and respect Jack Cafferty’ s segment, “The Cafferty File” – which raises the an obvious question, since Jack Cafferty is a Reno, Nevada guy – why didn’t CNN let a Nevadan get in on this debate?

Wolf was ancy, anxious and appeared scattered and unsure during the preparations.  In all fairness, none of us were privy to the technical difficulties being worked out behind the scenes, (and afterward, I heard there were more than a few) – but, as the old adage goes “never let them see you sweat” – one could tell Wolf was sweating it out all night!  Could it be that Wolf (and a few key others) knew very well that the majority of us “common peasants” were all about to be part of another corporate sponsored media scam?  Well, we will never know because we will never have the access and resources to find the facts.

 

I’m not going to spend much time on the debate itself – because it was quickly obvious that CNN slanted it toward helping Hillary and against Edwards and Obama, and only letting Biden, Richardson, Kucinich and Dodd make a symbolic appearance – how very, very sad indeed!  Though all of the campaigns are claiming victory – there was no clear winner in this pseudo-debate.  What was very clear is that the majority of people who got tickets were Hillary supporters – and many of these were extremely rude when they broke the civil  agreement and openly began yelling and booing Edwards and Obama – you did not see anyone from any of the other campaigns misbehaving so terribly!  It’s obvious to this observer, from the inside, that Hillary has bought and paid for Nevada and our first Presidential Caucus, lock, stock and barrel – and the Clinton Campaign could not care less about us as Nevadan’s!  Sadly, Nevada has, now, officially entered the sham and scam era of American politics as usual, with little more than a whimper of a woo-pee!

 

Wolf also promised the crowd that the entire second hour would be dedicated to taking as many questions as possible from the “undecided voters” in the crowd – and that, too, was less than a genuine line.  I guess we should feel lucky that we “common peasants” got the 40 minutes, (that’s 2/3’s for you out there that are making notes) of the time promised?

 

The highlight of the night was when Suzanne Malveaux first called on one of our local Military Mom’s, Ms Catherine Jackson and her son Christopher Gallagher who served a full 3 tours in Iraq as a U. S. Marine – Chris got the only standing ovation of the evening and rightfully so!  I just happen to know Chris, and his Mother, from working with the local “Out of Iraq” Anti-War Coalition and our Veterans & Military Families – and I had the honor of sitting next to Chris to lend morale and support.  Catherine’s question was regarding her concerns that Chris may be re-called to serve in combat again, only this time in Iran – of course, no one on stage who’s running for President of the United States has such a worry for their children, or grand-children!  Joe Biden gave a brilliant answer, and Bill Richardson and John Edwards’ answers were filled with compassion – Hillary’s answer was the typical “two-step” and “flip-flop” no answer we’ve come to expect from our professional politicians!

 

Part 1 from question asked by Catherine Jackson and her son Christopher Gallagher

 

 

Part 2 from question asked by Catherine Jackson and her son Christopher Gallagher

 

 

I was amazed at my level of discipline to remain silent and managing not to vomit!

The gentleman seated to my left was a Mental Health professional and he had a similar question to mine regarding the growing, overwhelming need, to provide more resources to care for our poor, our children, our elderly and mentally ill – especially, our PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) Disabled Vets.  But, of course, questions like these are not important in such a self-centered (“me, Me, ME”), selfish, sociopath society that loves to live in denial of the hard realities facing more and more of our less fortunate citizens – but, again, gee whiz it just doesn’t matter until you have a disabled person in your family now does it?

 

There were more important questions for CNN to ask, like the last one posed to Hillary Clinton, “Which do you prefer diamonds or pearls?”  At this point, I regurgitated and was barely able to keep the puke in my mouth – seriously, I was physically sickened and had to lock my jaw and swallow hard – so, in all honesty, I can literally say I left with a very, very bad taste in my mouth!

 

The post debate spin began immediately – and I let CNN know how very disappointed I was – not that it helped in anyway I could tell?  I’d bet CNN will just use the feedback to better polish their ability to manipulate and con the next audience they corral to make a buck at the expense of the American people – hey, “it’s just business” right?

 

The 2007 Nevada Jefferson-Jackson Dinner

 

Annually every state political party has a fund-raiser dinner – for the Democrats it’s the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner and this year it was sponsored by the Nevada State Democratic Party (now being led by newly elected Chair Jill Derby) and organized by the growing Clark County Democratic Party under the leadership of newly elected Chair, John Hunt.

 

Jill Derby has had a formidable challenge taking over the reigns from past NSDP Chair Tom Collins (who’s also a Clark County Commissioner) as Collins divided the party with his dictatorship and blatant disregard for the Executive Board, Central Committee and the General Membership at-large.  Jill Derby, a northern rural Nevadan, with long-standing, deep roots and an outstanding academic background (including as a Nevada Regent) – she has been, slowly but surely, turning the party around in a calm, civil, focused manner with her charm, professionalism and inclusive demeanor – thankfully for all of us!

 

John Hunt has had similar challenges in replacing the former, one term, Clark County Chair, Liz Foley who replaced Charlie Waterman (one of the wisest and most beloved leaders in the state and Democratic Party) – Foley, who attempted to impose a “royal reign” was a short-lived nightmare brought to an end by the local activists who worked diligently to run out the “good old boys and go along girls” and elected a diverse, and progressive new group of Democratic leaders last cycle – again, thankfully for all of us (as Clark County represents some 72% of the Democratic Party in Nevada)!

 

I know John Hunt well – he helped organize the “Vets For Kerry” (where we became fast friends) and his son has done three combat tours.  John’s an Air Force Vietnam Era Vet and a staunch supporter of our military and vets (he lost a brother to Agent Orange).

Hunt is “the real deal” and a real leader, he hasn’t forgotten his common roots, he would never ask anyone to do something he hasn’t done himself, he’s smart enough to realize that a great leader surrounds themselves with people even smarter than themselves – and he takes responsibility, without making excuses, for everything that gets done, and any concern that fails to get addressed and resolved – all hallmarks of a true leader!

 

The J.J. Dinner went off beautifully at the Paris Hotel & Casino Convention Center – in large part due to John Hunt’s buddy, life-long, school good friend Bill Stanley (of the Elevator Operators Union) and the tremendous talents of key others like Erin Bilbray (who’s the Executive Director of the new EMERGE Nevada Chapter, an organization dedicated to helping women enter the political arena), and our own Adriana Martinez (a former NSDP Chairwoman), the hard-working David Schwartz, the energetic Tammy Johnson and Rekaya Gibson, and dozens of other volunteers that worked tirelessly to make things happen in a positive and professional way for all of us – THANK YOU!  Major KUDOS also go out to Frank Gregory the Director of Catering for Paris & Bally’s, and the one and only former Las Vegas Mayor our very own Jan Jones!

 

It’s the people, we “common peasants” that make any group what it is – and ultimately becomes and achieves.  I want to encourage all Democrats to make the time and take the time, especially this political cycle, to volunteer to help out our newly elected leaders – they are fully worthy of your time and talents!  Whether you want to work for a particular candidate’s campaign, or, on a particular issue, or several issues you’ve set out as your personal priorities – your thoughts, ideas, solutions and voices are needed and we have leaders, now, that truly want to serve you – but, you’ve got to do your share and show up at a Clark County Democratic meeting and raise your hand and speak up!

 

As always, there’s more to this political cycle than electing the next President – I’m also hoping to, finally, get a U. S. Congressional Representative that will actually represent me, and all of Congressional District #3 of Nevada, in Washington, D.C.!  Currently, all I get from the Republican Porter is the newest, daily, propaganda coming from the out of touch Republican National Committee in the way of their talking points!  We really need to vote this Porter out of office once and for all!

 

 

The Nevada Caucus is Saturday, January 19^th, 2008 – that’s just a few weeks away!  So, whoever you support, plan on putting up a sign in your window, or yard, and walking your neighborhoods, meeting your neighbors and doing YOUR CIVIC DUTY in helping with voter registration and all of us to Get Out The Vote (GOTV)!