EAT, DRINK…AND WATCH THE DEBATE!
Talk-show host Kevin Wall and KXNT 840 AM are hosting a debate watch party on Thursday night in Las Vegas at “Born and Raised” tavern on Warm Springs Road, followed by a panel discussion about the GOP presidential race featuring the hubby/wife political dynamic duo Amy and Danny Tarkanian, Adam Stryker of Americans for Prosperity, Gun Store owner and radio host Bob Irwin…and yours truly. Come on out and join us.
MR. KEENE GOES TO VEGAS
The Las Vegas Valley Tea Party hosted a well-attended event Monday night featuring the top dog of the National Rifle Association, David Keene. Now what I found interesting was not only the large turnout for an event of a movement that Harry Reid says is all but dead, but how FEW elected Republicans showed up.
I noticed Assemblyman John Hambrick and Assembly Richard McArthur…and that was it. Every other elected Republican in southern Nevada blew the event off.
Nevada GOP Chairman Amy Tarkanian was there. As was her husband, Danny Tarkanian…who is running for Congress. And among the few conservative legislative candidates who were on hand: Annette Teijeiro (state senate), Bob Irwin (state assembly), Victoria Seaman (state assembly), Chris Edwards (CD1) and Ken Wegner (CD4).
SCHNEIDER SEZ HE HIT HARD, NOT DIRTY
I spoke with soon-to-be former Democrat Nevada State Sen. Mike Schneider yesterday about my column last week about his “dirty” race against Republican Danny Tarkanian back in 2004.
Believe me when I tell you there is no love lost between the senator and me, but to be fair, Schneider said that while his campaign did, indeed, hit Tarkanian hard in that campaign, there was nothing “dirty” about it.
Schneider insisted that despite settling a defamation lawsuit for $150,000 associated with that race, everything he said about Danny was true, documented and verifiable - but the judge refused to allow certain evidence that backed up his contentions in the proceedings. As such – and this DOES happen ALL the time – Schneider said his insurance company essentially forced him to settle the case rather than risk a huge loss.
I don’t know if all that’s true or not…but it could be, so I’ll give Sen. Schneider the benefit of the doubt. But my original point stands. Whether the race was “dirty” or merely brutal, Tarkanian went through a true trial-by-fire in that campaign that helped toughen him up for this year’s run in Nevada’s new 4th Congressional District.
DON’T HEDGE, SIGN THE PLEDGE
Every Republican legislator who signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge voted AGAINST the $620 million tax hike last year…and every Republican who voted FOR the tax hike refused to sign the Pledge. So if you don’t want your taxes raised in Nevada, it’s simple: Tell candidates: “If you don’t sign the Pledge, you don’t get my vote.”
THE RALSTON RANT
Nugget #1: Nevada State Sen. Barbara Cegavske told me today neither she nor her campaign ever told Jon Ralston she wouldn’t appear on his show; only that she’d appear based on her schedule, not his. So apparently Jon’s little temper-tantrum about this a week ago was all manufactured drama…again.
Nugget #2: Former Clark County GOP Chairman George Harris was on Sam Shad’s statewide “Nevada Newsmakers” show on Tuesday to talk about the Gingrich campaign and Venetian owner Sheldon Adelson’s $5 million contribution to a super PAC supporting Newt. Click here to watch.
POLITICAL POTPOURRI
* If Newt Gingrich shot himself in the foot by promoting the documentary about the venture capital firm the Mitt Romney formerly ran, the former Massachusetts governor appears prepared to do the same by refusing to release his tax returns until after he expects to have the GOP nomination wrapped up in April. That…ain’t…gonna…fly.
* The nation is trillions of dollars in debt, and the Associated Press thinks the cost of Congressman Ron Paul’s airplane tickets between Washington, DC, and his home in Houston, Texas – a figure in the $27,000 range – is newsworthy? Really, AP? Really?
* Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal's Elizabeth Williamson hops in a time capsule and goes all the way back to 1970 to find something negative about Newt Gingrich’s time at West Georgia College, claiming he “was often absent as he pursued political goals.” Over 40 years ago? Really, Ms. Williamson? Really?
* At that Texas meeting of religious right leaders last weekend, in which the group ultimately voted to endorse Rick Santorum over Newt Gingrich, evangelical leader James Dobson reportedly said, "I want to tell you that I've gotten to know Karen (Santorum) and she is just lovely. She set aside two professional careers to raise these seven children. She would make a fabulous first lady role model. And Newt Gingrich's wife, she was a mistress for 8 years.” Ouch. That doesn’t sound very Christian.
ALL THE “RIGHT” MOVES
* Instead of providing normal customer service, selling products people want and generating tax revenue to fund government operations, Tony Hsieh and his employees at Zappos.com are wasting their time today fixing the damage done by some lowlife computer hacker who broke into one of the company’s servers, compromising customer security. I wonder what Oscar Goodman would say the penalty for such hackers should be, considering he once suggested cutting off the thumbs of graffiti artists?
* Former Las Vegas city councilman Mike McDonald has officially announced this morning that he’ll be running for chairman of Nevada Republican Party after current chairman, Amy Tarkanian, steps down on February 5 to help on her husband’s congressional campaign.
* At their regular meeting Tuesday night, the Clark County Republican Central Committee decided to hold a special pre-caucus caucus on the Thursday night before to accommodate Jewish Republicans who objected to the official caucus being held on their Sabbath. The special “early caucus” will be open to any registered Republican.
* Republicans wishing to attend the Clark County caucus on February 2 or 4 can avoid the expected long check-in lines and pre-register online. Click here for more information.
* Former Naval officer Chris Edwards announced yesterday that he’s running for the 1st congressional district seat currently occupied by Rep. Shelly Berkley. The seat is one of the safest Democrat seats in the country. Mr. Edwards should instead explore a state legislative seat. Republicans in Carson City need all the help they can get…and then some.
* Lyon County gadfly Bob “Pudd’nhead” Hastings apparently squeaked his wheel sufficiently enough to get a majority of county commissioners this week to approve redistricting lines that keep Pudd’nhead in the same district as incumbent Commissioner Chuck Roberts, who Pudd’nhead wants to run against. In previous hearings on the redistricting maps, Pudd’nhead raised a ruckus about “hidden agenda” and “political gamesmanship.” Looks like commissioners left him in the district he wants to be in just to shut him up about it.
* Local Las Vegas public speaking coach Amy Ayoub is starting a new “Impactful Speaking” class on February 3 for people who are SERIOUS about improving their speaking skills. Click here for more information.
FAMOUS LAST WORDS
“I hope the tea party doesn’t have the influence this next year that they had in the previous year, because it’s been really bad for this country. . . . I think the tea party’s dying out as the economy’s getting better slowly.” – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Sunday’s “Meet the Press”
“Political advertising does not buy elections any more than corporate advertising buys market share. If it did, we would all be driving American cars and drinking New Coke. Ross Perot would have been elected President.” – Steve Simpson of the Institute for Justice
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