Obama Blitzes Nevada

Las Vegas, NV - With thousands of Californians pouring over the border to assist in a last-minute door-to-door ground blitz, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama revved up a crowd of 15,000 local supporters Saturday morning saying that "there's only 3 days left before we change America."

Long lines of rally goers formed before 7:00 a.m. at a high school football field in the blue-collar suburb of Henderson and then patiently waited more than two hours for Obama to arrive.

"Don't think for one moment that this election is already over," Obama warned the cheering crowd, saying that they should take nothing for granted. A spate of polls show Obama leading McCain by 5-7 points in the Silver State. Nevada has not recently voted for a Democratic president but has consistently been trending blue.

With only 5 electoral votes, Nevada might not be decisive in the final electoral count but could be a reliable regional bellwether.

Much of Obama's address this morning reflected what has become his standard stump speech of the past few weeks -- a blistering attack on McCain's economic policies. But he got his biggest outburst of applause when, speaking of Iraq, he said "it's time to end this war now."

The overflow crowd was peppered not only with the multi-color display of union t-shirts but also with large numbers of Californians and other out-of-staters who have been streaming into Nevada as last-moment Obama campaign volunteers. "I got up at 3:30 morning to drive from Los Angeles because I wanted to see how excited people were three days before a major shift in American history," said one Los Angeles based union activist who attended the rally.

On Friday night, the I-15 highway into Las Vegas was clogged with caravans of cars and vans with California license plates and Obama '08 bumper stickers. Volunteer groups formed by Southern California Democratic clubs, pro-choice groups and teams built around staff from pro-Obama elected officials in Los Angeles have been propelling squads of volunteers and canvassers into Las Vegas and Reno.

Hope for an Obama victory in Nevada were buoyed by reports of an overwhelming Democratic turnout in early voting which closed out yesterday. The Wall Street Journal reports that

"as of late Thursday night, registered Democrats had cast 225,670 of the 438,129 ballots (51.5%) in the two most populous counties, Las Vegas's Clark County and Reno's Washoe. Republicans cast 31.3% with the remainder cast by Independents.

Those two counties account for about 90% of the state's turnout. Early voting is expected to make up 60% of the Silver State's 2008 ballots, and with a 20-point margin already banked, assuming most of the registered Democrats voted for Obama, the party goes into Election Day with a big cushion.."

As Obama wrapped up this morning's rally and headed for similar 11th hour pushes in swing states Colorado and Missouri, local organizers methodically funneled hundreds of attendees onto an adjoining field where they were immediately enlisted as canvassers. Quickly prepped, handed packets and talking points, they were out knocking on doors just minutes after Obama finished speaking.

Comments

[rishika]

I was one of the California Obama volunteers..to drive across the border with my husband and dog..our Volvo wagon covered in Obama posters and signs.. We canvassed in Reno and Carson City..I was inspired most by the 76 year old severely disabled woman who wont be able to go to thepolls and could not fill ou the ballot herself to vote for Obama absentee..a city attorney will go to her home and witness her signing a provisional ballot so her vote could be counted. Obama's hope an dinspiration have reached millions..and every vote ounts.

[alady]

Let's GET IT!

[SaraPulis]

I grew up in Nevada and have realized something about it: Nevada always sides with the winner. In the last 100 years, only ONCE has Nevada not sided with the election's winner: in 1976 they voted for Ford. Watch who Nevada picks as president and I assure you he will be the winner.

[bqw]

DD - thank you for opening your home.
All here in Reno/Sparks are very happy/greatful for the people from California. This is a great place to say thank you, if any of you are reading this. The fantastic people I have met working at Circus Circus, supporting us here in Reno! Thank you! The many that have been helping out at Unions for the USPS. Informing everyone, answering questions...thank you for your valuable time.
Its been thrilling to see everyone here. Not only helping Reno/Sparks voters, but staying here and driving around thru our neighborhoods! Its so appreciated! The wonderful couple that came in last night! So many are staying here until Tuesday! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
We really believe that all of the wonderful people from California driving in here to Reno, to Vegas - are much of the reason for the huge turnout of voters! Of course its because of Obama and Biden, but the outside help has been amazing!
Our city is desperate, top on the foreclosure lists, the unemployment lists, the homeless lists...its turning into a ghost town. Casinos closing, shopping malls, dept stores, homes empty....we need help like all cities...once booming out of control...now we are all wide eyed and most of us scared for our jobs and our futures.


TUESDAY!!! OBAMA BIDEN!

[PBOHIO]

This is all just wonderful. Good for Nevada, and the rest of the western states going for Obama. Problem is, some of the states in the east are looking like they are tightening up. Anyone here from Ohio, PA, VA, FL. Get out there and help. Not just by voting, but by volunteering. We have 2 full days to get out there and get tired. I had a telephone call last nite at about 9:40. It asked me to hold the line for a conference call from Sen. Obama. Yeah, right. I held on and as sure as shooting at approx. 10:10, Obama was on the line. There were about 20,000 of us NTL's (neighborhood team leaders) on the line with him. He was thankful, encouraging and asking us to get out there for the next couple days and "Get 'er done".....­.Please,,,­you all need to help. Call your nearest campaign office and volunteer for the next 2 1/2 days......We can only do it will all your help. THANKS!!!!

[forthepeople1]

48 HOURS AWAY!!!! AND A LONG LONG TUESDAY NIGHT AHEAD. WE WILL BE UP AND AWAKE ALL NIGHT!!!

[zerotimes10]

From the bottom of my Nevada Blue Heart, Thank You California. I love you all! And Thank you Arizona who got this party started way back in the ancient Caucus Days! The Revolution is on!

[mky267]

Obama plans on spreading the health around

[likeicare]

How cool!

NOMama!! GOBama!!!

[GwenD]

Heh. Do not underestimate the organizational skills of a community organizer. Heh.

[LorettaSingbiel]

"Local organizers methodically funneled hundreds of rally attendees onto an adjoining field, where they were immediately enlisted as canvassers. Quickly prepped, handed packets and talking points, they were out knocking on doors just minutes after Obama finished speaking."

And THAT'S our Barack Obama in ACTION!!! ... the "Community Organizer" that Palin & McCain BELITTLED as being BENEATH them!

"There's only 3 DAYS left before we CHANGE America"!!!

OBAMA/BIDEN '08!
HOPE and CHANGE WE (AND THE WORLD) CAN BELIEVE IN!!!

[LeftCoaster64]

I guess a small town Alaska mayor is sorta like a community orgainizer except without the ability to actually galvanize support from people from all walks of life and actually get them to travel across state lines to work for change.

[zerotimes10]

Yeah, now Ms. Palin understands what a community organizor does.

[POTUS2008]

This is the greatest campaign, candidate, supporters, volunteers and workers that I have ever seen! The organization is amazing, as is the drive, the belief, and the determination! I am so proud to be part of this campaign! Now we have to keep it going! We have to drive! We all know we can do it!

[littleBrit]

I am not eligible to vote. I love America and lived in California for more than twelve years. I am sitting in England on a damp Sunday morning with tears streaming down my face, in response to all the good and true Americans who are coming out to help Obama win the White House. It must be so and the world can start to heal. Keep going and God Bless you all.

[Capano]

Perhaps someone with experience as a "community orgainzer" was one of the architects of this amazing organization.

Take our nation back from the radical, fanatical, Religious Right Republican hypocrites with their theological social agendas and give us the leadership of Senator Obama, who will govern and lead ALL MEN EQUALLY!

Great work everyone!

[shockjock]

Young People,,,,,,,
They say you did not vote early. Pleeezzzze Vote on Tuesday. We need every vote in every State.
We need a victory and then a mandate.

[zerotimes10]

Yes young awesome people of America please get out and Vote! You are the future after we are long dead. Take this country back for yourselves!

[Frenchy9]

I like the last paragraph: what an organization! Mind blowing! Congratulations!

I think the world (especially France, must start to feel more relax. And Sarcozy must be laughing you can't imagine, after the prank from Quebec!)

[DesertDoctor]

I have hosted over 30 California volunteers in my house in Reno and just want to thank them in this public forum. We could not have turned Northern Nevada blue without them. I think that Obama will take Nevada by a landslide. I know of no Republicans in my office who will vote for McCain. Most won't vote for Obama but none of them are voting for McCain. Between McCain's sleazy attack ads and Sarah Palins incompetence the Republicans in Northen Nevada are totally disillusioned. Thank you John and Sarah.

[zeboshoes]

Thanks DD for your help hosting folks. I was a canvasser who came over on my own dime and was so motivated by the diversity of folks out working for this campaign. I was also so impressed with how organized the campaign is. If Obama can unite all these different folks, I think that is evidence on its own of his leadership credentials. I've never seen so many Americans get together on an election in my 24 years of voting. It bodes well for our country.

[Softnsweet]

Thanks DD!