Reno and Beyond: The First Hundred Days and The Democratic Caucus
- Gwen Ifill has always been one of the most consistently excellent Washington journalists for years and her performance on this week’s Meet the Press demonstrated that fact once again. Somehow she maintains her calm while Imus apologists David Brooks and Tim Russert do all they can to whitewash the “historical moment” Ifill and Eugene Robinson are trying so hard to explain. Watch a real professional at work in this video from the show and read the entire transcript of the round table featuring more color than I think I’ve ever seen on Russert’s show (begin on page 3).
- At dinner on Friday night with some other Washoe Democrats, the conversation turned to a discussion about which presidential campaigns have staff in Northern Nevada and whether any of that staff is local. If I recall correctly, the Clinton, Richardson, and Edwards campaigns all have staff working in Northern Nevada although Clinton gets the most bonus points for hiring locals. Everyone present agreed that the Obama campaign has so far ignored Northern Nevada–a big mistake considering the state Democratic turnout in the 2006 election. Even though there are fewer people in Northern Nevada, the Democrats here are truly motivated AND organized. The consensus of all present was that every hour a campaign worker spends in Northern Nevada is probably worth at least two hours spent in Clark County. That makes us at least half as important. If Obama continues to ignore Northern Nevada, Edwards has a real chance of placing in second in the Iowa and Nevada caucuses. Is Obama so sure he can take New Hampshire and South Carolina? I wouldn’t be. By the way, here’s how they stack up money-wise so far. See the details at Ralston’s flashy place.
Clinton $317,000
Obama $63,530
Edwards $45,500
Richardson $32,650 - Its becoming more clear why so many Nevadans responded to Governor Gibbons’ “Dina Taxes” slogan like money grubbing robots. Nevadans volunteer less time per capita than all 49 other states in the Union. Basically, we are a bunch of selfish bastards–no wonder nobody cares about health care, education, or transportation unless it affects them personally. Congratulations Nevada!
- Contrary to what Robert Uithoven says in Ray Hagar’s summary of Gibbons’ first 1oo says in office, the citizens will judge Gibbons by his ability to solve the state’s problems. A vocal few will crucify him for raising any tax, but millions will be appreciative of anyone offering innovative solutions to the state’s education, health care, and transportation problems.
- Sorry, I’m sticking to my guns on this one DMD. The Palladio is overpriced for downtown Reno. I hope it works out because I will benefit tremendously from their higher prices, but 200,000 more for a unit roughly equivalent to mine in the Riverwalk (save some of the finishes)? Sure, their lobby and pool will be much nicer than mine, but I imagine their fees will be quite high as well. The comments on DMD’s post about this illustrate my point–a California couple is buying a unit as a second home. As someone who has lived in two different downtown condo developments, I have watched as at least 25% of them are initially bought as investments to be sold after two years (I suspect the percentage is higher at Riverwalk). And I would guess at least another 25% were bought as second homes. That’s better than nothing I guess, but what I would really like to see is a downtown full of full-time residents. I can’t tell you how many of my Riverwalk neighbors also own units at the Montage, but there are definitely more than you would expect. And some own more than one in Riverwalk and Montage. My experience was the same at Park Towers–several of my neighbors also owned units at Arlington Towers and probably own some at the Riverwalk, Montage, or the Palladio. The more residential downtown developments Reno gets, the more longterm residents we will get, but I would be cautious in overestimating how many of the people who bought in The Montage or The Palladio are planning on atually living here full-time. That may change by the time the Montage is completed.
I also agree with the commenter about the postmodern or “mock-historic” architecture of the building. The more modern roof would’ve helped a bit, but I am not a fan of the postmodern architectural aesthetic.
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The Obama campaign HAS hired northern Nevada locals. First,
David Cohen (now working from Las
Vegas) AND Rachel Sigman (Regional
Director for up here). The Obama
campaign will be having organizational meetings of staff with the volunteer networks developing here and there. Several of these will be throughout
northern Nevada (Elko, Fernley, Winnemucca, Reno/Sparks) in late April and early May. These will be hosted by Rachel Sigman, the local person hired for the Obama campaign. (She was Washoe County’s
Dem GOTV coordinator for 2006 election.)
The Obama campaign contributor list looks incomplete, in fact it is incomplete. My $25 check was posted by the “Obama for America” on April 9th, but doesn’t look like it’s on the April 15th posted list. I don’t think their records are up to date on stuff that arrived in the mail after the first of the month. So, add at least $25 to that total for Obama.
Two minor corrections.
PS: how could these local Washoe Democrats forget Rachel?
Well-regulated militia kills 32…
A “well regulated militia” killed no one “Johnny” - get a clue, then get the facts fella!
True. Guns don’t kill people - people who use guns to shoot other people kill people.
They also use motor vehicles, knives, clubs, fists, elbows, knees, feet and just about every other implement and means imaginable!
JLA - No one person could walk into a crowded college classroom and kill a couple dozen souls with any of your items. But with a gun or two and enough ammo…different story. You can pretend otherwise all you want.
Myrna, building (or rehabbing) high rises is very expensive. You may well have timed it right by buying in the first and least expensive one.
Later buyers, especially in a prime location with all-new construction like Palladio will not be so lucky unless the real estate market totally collapses.
Better (mid range) prices per sf will probably be available in larger attractive mid-rise developments like the fledgling Grants Landing.
Inexpensive rates (per downtown norms) will be in low rise rehabs like Colonial and the little apartment conversion on the corner of 2nd and West? (the Montage block).
It does no good whatsoever to complain about the high prices in a new riverfront highrise. They will almost surely be out of the reach of most buyers and purchased mainly by well heeled locals or out of town multiple residence types.
However the real success of downtown revitalization will probably be determined by how infill and other types of more affordable housing are accepted by the local marketplace. Not long ago you pondered what would happen to the portion of downtown south of the tracks and west of West St (or Arlington) where an abundance of empty lots and dilapidated buildings currently predominate. That will likely be the area that experiences a big influx of “affordable” mid-rise housing - not the riverfront properties and high-rises.
Just MHO.
NVupNorth–hmm–I would expect these folks to know about an Obama staffer. Perhaps they aren’t as well known as they want to be? Thanks for the correction.
Steve and Mike–appreciate the opinions. I still would rather see housing that local professionals could afford and live in full-time. I accept the fact that The Palladio may be good for development, I’m just saying, its not ideal.
“Bill” you completely missed my point! But, that’s O.K. and NBD!
Myrna, not to be picky, but aren’t your two points (below) in conflict?
One suggests that the state’s voters only elected Gibbons because they are selfish money grubbing robots solely interested in their own bottom line.
The other seems to say that these same selfish money grubbing robots will end up holding da gub accountable for not raising taxes to finance important projects which will obviously hurt the bottom lines of the same selfish money grubbers who only care about their own bottom lines.
Or, put another way if “nobody cares about health care, education, or transportation” then why will “millions.. be appreciative of anyone offering innovative solutions to the state’s education, health care, and transportation problems”?
I’m really confused
Statement 1
Its becoming more clear why so many Nevadans responded to Governor Gibbons’ “Dina Taxes” slogan like money grubbing robots. Nevadans volunteer less time per capita than all 49 other states in the Union. Basically, we are a bunch of selfish bastards–no wonder nobody cares about health care, education, or transportation unless it affects them personally. Congratulations Nevada!
Statement 2
Contrary to what Robert Uithoven says in Ray Hagar’s summary of Gibbons’ first [100 days] in office, the citizens will judge Gibbons by his ability to solve the state’s problems. A vocal few will crucify him for raising any tax, but millions will be appreciative of anyone offering innovative solutions to the state’s education, health care, and transportation problems.
http://washoedemocratcaucus.blogspot.com/2007/04/washoe-dem-central-committee-mtg-report.html
I have an April 4th article that
names staff for Edwards, Richardson, Obama, Clinton. They
spoke at the last central committee meeting. Beyond that, I don’t know really what’s up. The Edwards people are hunting for an office, Obama’s person (Rachel) has been hunting for an office, Pam
(for Clinton) sounds like she has an office or will soon, and I don’t know about the Richardson hunt for an office. Nvupnorth probably is most acquainted with the Richardson campaign.
Johnathan L. Abbinett (or “chief” as I like to call him),
Militia is the activity of one or more citizens organized to provide defense or paramilitary service, or those engaged in such activity. It is the basis for your second amendment right to bar arms. It’s an argument of logic, not emotion. Your Korean buddy was acting as a “well-regulated militia” by strafing them “book-educated” varmints and doing a hell of a good job at it, Johnathan L. Abbinett. Get your mind out of the Bill of Rights. It’d filthy in there, chief. If we had one disaffected South Korean kid for every man, woman and child in employ by the Us Foreign Services, we might get enough Iraqi hearts and minds and flowers to make the War in Iraq like an FTD Snuff Film.
You’re a great America, Johnathan L. Abbinett, “great Americam” is defned as chubby “college dropout.”
Your “Fella” in Snuff,
johnny
That should read: bear arms. Bars and arms don’t go so well up here. Unless you’re a deputy named Pitsnogle. In which case it’s just too sexy for the Internet.
“johnny” I perplexed that you would even attempt to lecture a former life-long professional soldier, and columnist who writes regularly on the Military Industrial Corporate Contract Complex (MICCC), Armed Forces, Veterans and VA Healhcare issues about anything related to our 2nd Amendment?
Then, attempt to spin and twist the historical facts into some sort of weird myth! Did you even consider your non-existent chances of winning such a debate?
No law abiding citizen supports any form of vigilante! Paramilitary service is legally limited to Military Professional Contractors (MPC’s) and they do NOT conduct operations within CONUS (Continental United States)!
The “activity of one or more citizens organized to provide defense” is pretty much limited by law, now, to Neighborhood Watch Groups who use only hand held radios and cell-phones ot call the police when something suspicious is taking place, or, to report a crime to the police after the fact! What fantasy world are you living in?
Today, the “well regulated militia” is now considered to be our National Guard forces - NOT some poor, pathetic, mentally ill kid that didn’t get the help he needed and was let down by his family, friends, college and the social service and mental health system of Virginia!
I’d also like to mention that I do NOT appreciate your racist attack on my heritage by using the slur “chief” - it’s offensive to the Native American community in general, and more so to the actual elders that hold that honorable title!
Hoka Hey!
I am perplexed at how seriously you seem to take yourself and that you look a little like Billy Joel.
“Johnny” it’s odd that you would say that?
I got asked just the other day if I was Billy Joel - and that’s not the first time?
There also seems to be a few out there that think I look like Jon Ralston too?
It is perplexing - because I don’t think I look like either Billy or Jon (and Ralston is much nicer dresser)!
Just so you know, I don’t take myself too seriously, but my subject matter is always serious and often, sadly, dark - writing about war and the horrific effects it has on generations of lives is not a fun set of topics!
But, I’ve made my money, and I’m free, finally, to speak and write freely - and not everyone can take the risks I can take and still be responsible for answering to some boss who’s providing a pay-check a guy needs to feed his family and pay his bills?
I loathe bullies, sexists, bigots, racists, and radical, right-wing, neo-con, christo-facists and islamo-terrorists equally! Well, actually the American Terrorist anger me even more than the International Terrorist!
Nor do I care much for Communists or any institution that oppresses the people - de oppresso liber!
I’m just a rebel, citizen, patriot, disabled veteran and political progressive that’s conservative when it comes to cash, taxes and the environment and liberal when it comes to personal freedoms, civil rights and our liberties!
Now, I’m a Veteran’s Advocate and Activist (in a world where one would think there would be no need for such an animal) - and I write a weekly column, monthly column and an occasional guest column, and do some blog commentary.
What our troops are doing in Bagdhad - now, THAT is serious!
I’m Algonquin Indian. We were Canadian before it wasn’t cool. Happy writing.
Johnny