Nevada News by Ddamore

With less than a week to go there is much about the 2008 election that remains up in the air. While all indicators point to a good night for the Democrats both in Nevada and nationally, exactly how this will play out is the source of much speculation in spaces such as this one.  In that spirit, here are my thoughts.

What is apparent from the national party conventions is that the two parties are pursuing very different strategies in their quest for 270 Electoral College votes. The Republicans are essentially using the Karl Rove model of 2000 and 2004, while the Democrats are putting forth a new take on a very old model used throughout American history to upend the status quo and usher in new governing majorities.

[img_assist|nid=2200|title=Democratic congressional candidate Dina Titus with U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen at a gas station campaign stop in May.|desc=Politicker Photo|link=none|align=none|width=420|height=228]As election season heats up, candidates are moving into full pander mode. Thus far gas prices top the list of issues that are causing politicians of all stripes to abandon prior positions, disregard basic economic theory, and promise voters the impossible.

So Sunday evening rolls around and I sit down to watch Gov. Jim Gibbons and Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley give their dueling live television addresses regarding the Nevada's budget crisis. Instead of watching the governor bumble for 10 minutes with a retort by Buckley, my screen was filled with promises that I could buy a home for $187.24 with no monthly payments.