'Kumar' to visit Reno

The Nevada Democratic Convention will meet in Reno this weekend to select delegates to the Democratic National Convention in August.

Earlier this year, the Clark County Democratic Convention collapsed under the weight of super-duper attendance coupled with the spectacular incompetence of county party leadership, and had to do a re-do. Then the Nevada War Party convention failed to withstand an attack from profoundly insignificant but mildly entertaining Paultard hordes, and still must do a re-do.

True, in all probability, the thousands of delegates, alternates and observers at this weekend's state Democratic Party Convention will be subjected to the customary micro-controversies over some obscure rule or other (or the selection of all-important party leaders!), controversies started perhaps by people who are sincerely and genuinely nuts. Those who stay on into Sunday might even have the opportunity to fight over language in the party platform that nobody pays any attention to.

But if by the end of the proceedings the state Democrats have selected delegates to the national convention, that must be considered nothing less than an unqualified success by recent local standards.

Or as one state party official quipped when asked about the outlook for the weekend's festivities, "We've got a pretty low bar."

Meantime, the indisputable highlight of the convention in Reno will be an appearance by actor Kal Penn, who plays Kumar in the recently released Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay and also is a regular on the outstanding television series House.

Penn will be speaking on behalf of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama (RGJ).

Also appearing at the convention will be Bill Clinton, who used to be an ex-president.

Comments

[CollegeStudent]

At this point, I think I'd rather see Kumar over Clinton...

[Mike Z for chair, NOT!!!]

In a stunningly incoherent letter to the state central committee members, Mike Z announces his candidacy for chairman of the state party; backs a slate of candidate who rebut his endorsement; and manages to use the (root) words bigot 11 times and racist 15 times to slam his opponent. MZ is a self-serving divisive asshole, and his moment of truth is this Saturday.

[Who?]

Who's Mike Z?

[Silver State Hispanic Activist]

Who's Ruben K?

[Lilly]

Bill Clinton will be there -- gag!! I knew there was a reason that I didn't want to be a delegate.

[The Penguin]

Not to defend the guy, but for those who diss Bill Clinton on a regular basis, I have but three words: President Bob Dole.

[CollegeStudent]

Pen-
There was a guy who hit me up for spare change down by the river this morning who probably could have beaten Bob Dole after he fell of that stage.
I have four words: President Talks to Geese.

[texexnv@gmail.com]

Looks like Andrew Martin gets a free pass to the Assembly since today is the last day for filing.

[Ken]

It looks like Assemblyman Malibu Stacy is going to endorse a "successor" who is supposed to file today. More info - http://www.lvrj.com/news/19003649.html.

While Martin will have a headstart, never underestimate the will of everyday folks to ignore real issues.

[enough]

Whose blog is this, again?

[texexnv@gmail.com]

Anjeanette Damon has further details about what's at stake this weekend at the Democratic convention.

It's really, really worth the time to read the "which is included in the minutes" which she provides therein. The good stuff begins on page 5 where it indicates the former Chair (none other than Congressional Dreamer Jill Derby) and Staff (esp. Travis Brock) ran the NSDP by locking the Eboard out of all decisions and policy making matters. I.e., Derby ran the NSDP as her own little kingdom and the Eboard could kiss the lower extremities of her anatomy if they didn't like it.

This attitude went so far as to include "where litigation
does or may occur" (page 5, paragraph 6) which alludes to Derby not informing the Eboard of an investigation of NSDP finances by the Secretary of State.

So look for this weekend to be a referendum on Jill Derby as much as anything which will give insight into what we might expect if she does go to Congress.

There is going to be a colossal knock-down-drag-out battle between the Reidesque 'status-quo-the-Chair-is-my-kingdom' group and those (like Mike Zahara) who want the party to really be open, inclusive, and answerable to all Dems.

[KidFromVegas]

There's a third group, those who know the party needs to grow and doesn't think Zahara is the person to lead it. If he fails, please dear God, make him go away.

[texexnv@gmail.com]

Not to unpurposely plug the Gleanerwan's competition but DeeH will be reporting in from the Nevada State Democratic Convention on Desert Beacon.

[NVMOJO]

What has happened to the sos investigation?

what about the campaign trip for Bill Cinton last august that was done under the guise of the Lake Tahoe 10year anniversary thing?

[Richard]

Presidential primaries are meaningless without a clear picture of how the candidate will fair in the presidential election. Hillary has already taken an insurmountable lead against Obama in the Electoral College, winner takes all, vote when comparing results of the Democrat primary wins.

As of today, it appears that McCain easily beats Obama and exactly the opposite is true for Hillary. Review this website.
http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2008/Obama/Maps/May19.html

Richard Rychtarik

[nevdem]

If the Gleaner is going to quote "quips" form state party officials, please remember that they're all a bunch of lying, cheating assholes..not to mention scumbags. Thanks Gleaner for reminding us of how far up Rebecca's tush you are.

[A dose of reality]

Nice to hear from John Hunt "nevdem." Welcome!

[Gleaner]

Dear nevdem,
1. If being a lying cheating asshole served as a disqualification for appearing in Nevada public and professional life, there would be no Nevada public and professional life.

2. Who's Rebecca? Apart from being a lying cheating asshole, of course.

[Just wondering]

Hugh - presumably, "nevdem" is referring to Rebecca Lambe.

And hey - Dose - the smart money is on Zahara for that post.

[nevdem]

Dose: I am definitely NOT John Hunt. Not that there's anything wrong with that. (I hope you like the Sienfeld reference.)

Gleaner: Wondering is correct, I was referring to Rebecca Lambe. I can't understand why the Punditocracy (main stream and otherwise) thinks she's all that and a bag of chips. It's not like she and her cronies at the NSDP have really done squat. They didn't contribute to the wins of the four state constitutional office holders (who won on there own merits), they actively worked against Dina Titus for the Governor's race (which is why she lost), and they can't even be given credit, not that they won't try to take it, for the turnout at the January caucuses (EVERY state and territory, not to mention Democrats Abroad, had unprecendented turnout this year). Not to mention that the organization of the caucus itself was a total failure.

As to your comment about there only being lying cheating assholes in public and professional life in Nevada, I must protest your cynicism. May I present an off-the-cuff list for your consideration:

PUBLIC LIFE:
1) All 4 of our state constitutional office holders;
2) Terry Care, senate;
3) Dina Titus, senate;
4) Carolyn Edwards, CC school board;
5) Valerie Wiener, senate;
6) Joyce Woodhouse, senate;
7) Bob Coffin, senate;
8) David Parks, assembly (hopefully senate soon);
9) Harvey Munford, assembly;
10) Lois Tarkanian, LV city council;
11) Jim Bilbray, too much to write here.

PROFESSIONAL LIFE:
1) Heather Murren, NV Cancer Institute;
2) Jerry Cade, NV's first HIV/AIDS doctor;
3) Andre Agassi and Perry Rogers, need I say more;
4) Kathy Gronauer, wife of Bobby G and newly elected NSDP E-board member;
5) Erin Bilbray-Kohn, emergeNevada and National Committeewoman elect;
6) Brian and Myra Greenspun, need I say more;
7) Tom Jenkin, Harrahs;
8) Bob Forbuss, Strategic Alliances;
9) Christine Clark, UNLV;
10) Fred Smith, Donald W Reynolds Foundation.

These, and many more people just like them, motivate me to do better and more.

There are numerous, hard working, honest, decent folk in this state. They try to make this a better place to live, for themselves, their families, and for their neighbors, if not every day, then darn near close to it. They stand in stark contrast to some of the "power brokers" and "big shots" in our community.

I suspect you have become so jaded and disillusioned by having to report on the slime around here, that you might be having trouble seeing the diamonds floating around in it. Stop by the Fertitta Center or our Boys and Girls Clubs. Check out Catholic Charities, Nevada Partners (Yes, even I will give props to the Culinary Union), and Three Square. Have you seen the folks passing out free food to the homeless in our city parks, even when it was illegal? Sincere commitment abounds. If it didn't, what would be the point of attacking the creeps in the Republican party?

[nevdem]

Wondering: I'm also NOT Zahara (and there would be something wrong if I were...YIKES)!!!!