Nevada: David Damore

LAS VEGAS-Months ago, intent on retaking the state senate, Nevada Democrats cast their sights on Senate District 5 as one of two key targets. But hopes of capturing the seat may be fading as their candidate, a self-described "political unknown," has failed to win the endorsement of one of the pillars of the state Democratic establishment, the Nevada State Education Association.

LAS VEGAS-Nevada's congressional delegation may be small, but it is energetic in bringing home the bacon to a cash-strapped state with a lot of needs. But critics are quick to label the programs that legislators steer towards their constituents as "pork projects."

According to the Citizens Against Government Waste 2008 Congressional Pig Book, Nevada's delegation has brought $158,779,895 worth of pork-barrel spending to the state in the 2008 fiscal year, fifteenth highest according to the per capita rankings.

By this time next week, the Nevada caucuses will be over and the state, for better or worse, will have left its impression on the presidential nomination process.  In the mean time, the state is abuzz with unprecedented campaign activity and media attention.  In what follows are some observations about what has occurred to date and what is likely to occur between now and the 19th.

Nevada as the Saucer:

Every four years, presidential candidates of both parties eagerly seek the endorsements of the Manchester Union Leader and the Des Moines Register as the two largest publications in crucial early-voting states.  These endorsements, which provide little in the way of actual votes but are invaluable for the positive press coverage, can drastically alter the makeup of a race, bringing lower-tier candidates to the fore and reminding voters that poll numbers don’t decide elections.