Nevada: Chris Dodd

This is obvious, but still noteworthy: the last time the Democratic presidential candidates were in Nevada for a nationally televised debate was in November -- a virtual circus that included seven presidential candidates. Now, as the Democrats return to Las Vegas on Tuesday for their final debate before the January 19 caucus, just three candidates will participate: Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Obama.

More than 2,000 Democrats helped raise an estimated $300,000 for Clark County Democrats at a post-debate Jefferson-Jackson dinner at the Paris Hotel that attracted eight Democratic presidential candidates.

Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean took advantage of the partisan audience – still pumped with excitement from the nationally-televised presidential debate at UNLV – to take a few shots at the Republican field for their lack of diversity.

Five hours before the Democratic presidential candidates meet to debate at UNLV, Sen. Chris Dodd’s (D-CT) campaign staff has acknowledged that he has closed his Las Vegas campaign office.

“We have staff in Nevada and active supporters, we just don’t have an office in Nevada at this time,” said Colleen Flanagan, Dodd’s national press secretary.