2008 is already proving to be a historical year in the annuals of American politics – and Nevada is a key battleground state – Arizona and New Mexico make up the three South West states that could swing either way.  Then, of course, there is the always hard to predict state of Florida?

 

The Democrats in Nevada have a sizable, and still growing, lead in voter registration – in large part due to droves of people disillusioned with economic issues across the board.

Also, many Republicans are abandoning their Grand Old Party and re-registering either as Independents, Non-partisans and cross-over Democrats – 2008 looks very grim for the Republican Party and any candidate with an “R” after their name!

 

Clearly, poll after poll after poll show, the American people, at-large, are fed-up with the status quo and business as usual in our politics.  Some politicians mistakenly address this as “frustration” amongst the electorate – and that is a clear indication that they are either trying to spin down the reality, or they are in denial and just don’t get it – the American people are not just “frustrated” everywhere I go, regardless of party affiliation, they are out and out angry!

 

Many pundits are already predicting that the Bush administration is the worse ever in American history, while the U. S. Congress’ approval rating has dipped below 10% for the first time in American history!

 

The great sage of the Nevada Democratic Party, “Sir” Charlie Waterman (who passed recently) told me the day that Bush got elected “This guy Johnathan is going to be worse than Nixon – mark my words!”  I was stunned by that strongly candid comment from my political mentor, and replied, “No way Charlie! – No one could be worse than Nixon!”  Once again our political Jedi was right – and, I was humbled, again, by his astute vision. 

 

Charlie Waterman also predicted the worthlessness of Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons by saying “He’s just an empty suit and cut-out for rich Republicans that will be pulling his strings like the political puppet he is – nothing good will come of this Governor’s term!”

My only response was, half-heartedly, that “Well, there’s always hope, Dawn will do something meaningful as our First Lady of Nevada?”  My response got me nothing but silence and that steely stare Charlie was so well known for when he didn’t find anything humorous – it was his way of saying everything without a single word – in that, I knew I had fallen short of being worthy of Charlie’s time and talent (or, even being in his very presence for another minute at that very moment)! 

 

Charlie was a Navy veteran and the consummate “old salt” when it came to the “colorful” language of a sailor – but, his eyes often pierced his opponents very hearts, minds and souls!  I am so thankful to have been taken under his wing and his legacy live in all of us!

Oh, how Charlie Waterman would be excited today about how the races are unfolding and the Clark County Democratic Party is finally maturing into a formable political machine under the leadership of Chairman, John Hunt and our progressive Executive Board and a growing Central Committee of politically astute advocates and activists!

 

The statistics bode well for Democrats Barack Obama’s presidential run, as well as State Senator Dina Titus’ run to upset Jon Porter in Congressional District #3 of Nevada – and their political campaign coat-tails could very well be long, and broad, enough to carry a good number of down ticket Democrats to victory in the Primary Election and the final General Election contest on Tuesday, November 4^th, 2008 – America is in for some big, big changes there’s no doubt about that!

 

In the Nevada State Senate and Assembly there is a tough battle brewing for the current Republican narrow majority – Democrats are focusing their fight on taking the majority of seats away from the Republicans by ousting State Senators Bob Beers and Joe Heck.  If successful, the newly designated Democratic Nevada State Senate Minority Leader, Steven Horsford would become the Majority Leader!  Additionally, the Democrats have every intention of widening their majority in the Nevada State Assembly to give them a veto proof margin of victory for our crafty Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley. 

 

Dina Titus	Steven Horsford	Barbara Buckley

 

Clearly, polls show, the American people, at-large, are fed-up with the status quo and business as usual in our politics.  Many pundits are already predicting that the Bush administration is the worse ever in American history, while the U. S. Congress’ approval rating has dipped below 10% for the first time in American history!  It also goes without saying that many Nevadans are increasingly disappointed in our Governor’s inabilities!

 

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., when asked recently by Larry King “What is the number one thing the American people need to know about our politics?”  RFK, Jr. replied, “They need to realize that 95% of the Republican Party and 75% of the Democratic Party are corrupt and only about 30% of the people elected in Washington, D.C. are there for the right reasons.”  I agree!  As I speak with politically astute veterans and military family members, I am frequently hearing the same sentiment “VTBO – Vote The Bums Out!”

 

It is not just our duty to register and vote – it is our duty to register and vote smart!  Too many voters do not take this solemn duty seriously and vote whimsically for a guy they’d like to have a beer with, or, like it is an American Idol popularity contest – well, look what a mess those voters gave us! 

 

Far too many people took the easy, but very expensive, way out – thinking, ‘well there will be enough other people to get their choice elected’ – that’s not only lazy, it’s also codependent in mentality, and it demonstrates that such people just do not know how very closely elections are being decided in recent years and how very important it is that everyone vote, and that every vote gets counted!

 

I’m amazed at all of the good things happening – yet, still, stunned at how stupid so many Nevadans, including veterans and military families are, when it comes to our civic duties!

All of us must be doing our duty to talk with family, friends and our neighbors about politics and do our part to GOTV (Get Out The Vote) – and there is no better opportunity than this year to lay down the remote control, get out of your lazy boy recliner and pick up the phone and volunteer to help out in your precinct, state assembly and senate district and congressional district and on your candidate’s presidential campaign – that’s how we determine our destiny.  Remember, democracy is not a spectator sport – and we need more citizens to remember the sacrifice of our veterans so everyone could voice their preferences by voting and voting smart!

 

This is the year that you either vote “D” or you really are a “T” – TRAITOR!

 

Here are some key dates to put on your calendars now:

 

Nevada Primary Election Early Voting: Begins, Saturday, July 26^th and runs for two full weeks through Friday, August 8^th at dozens and dozens of locations, in Malls and Grocery Stores and Polling locations throughout the valley – there is no acceptable, reasonable or rational excuse for not voting early in Nevada!  Remember not only is it convenient to vote early – it helps build enthusiasm for others to Get Out The Vote and can provide a devastating effect on our opponents – and the phone calls stop coming in when you actually cast your ballot!

 

NEVADA PRIMARY ELECTION DAY: Tuesday, August 12^th, 2008!

 

Saturday, October 4^th, 2008 is the last day to register to vote in the Nevada General Election without having to appear in person at the Election office.

 

Sunday, October 5^th through Tuesday, October 14^th is the final ten day period for any in-office registration changes.

 

Nevada General Election Early Voting: Begins, Saturday, October 18^th and runs through Friday, October 31^st (hey, that’s Halloween – what a great day to vote the bums and the monsters out)!

 

NATIONAL GENERAL ELECTION DAY: Tuesday, November 4^th, 2008 (from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm) – 12 hours in time that will change American history forever!