Why is NEVADA a red state?

[Blue_Roses]

I would have thought it was more liberal.

[SoCalDem]

1. Las vegas is a Union Town, but the rest of the state

tends to be more rural/libertarian.. Lots of folks move to the desert to get away from all things "city"..

The politics is similar to Arizona/Utah/western Wyoming..The rugged individualist thing:(

[medeak]

6. amen to that

rest of state wants Las Vegas to secede...am surrounded by provincial thinking rednecks.

[Endangered Specie]

2. Just say Yucca Mtn. and it WILL be a blue state!

[JohnKleeb]

4. Yuuuuuuuuuuuca Mountain

[Bluebear]

7. "Bush broke his promise...."

During the close 2000 election, Bush told Nevada he would let science guide his decision on nuclear waste, Perkins said. Yet in July 2002, he signed legislation cementing Yucca Mountain as the repository site.

"President Bush broke his promise to us here in Nevada with a speed and arrogance that is astounding," Perkins said.

Questions remain about the safety of nuclear waste storage canisters, the mountain's ability to contain radioactive particles and the vulnerability of shipping routes. Bush and Energy Department managers say the waste can be safely transported and stored.

The Bush administration plans to ship 77,000 tons of highly radioactive spent nuclear fuel through 43 states beginning in 2010.

"What is so disturbing about President Bush's conduct is the distrust that he has personally brought to the process," Perkins said.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Nov-23-Sun-2003/news/22651921.html

[Cha]

13. They did say "Yucca Mountain" when they were casting their

votes for John Kerry!

[Gregorian]

3. Marine influence

It appears that Democrats love fog.

[lastknowngood]

5. Guns God and minorities. Racisim runs deep and wide

n/t

[2Design]

8. governor is a rethug although he spent most of his life in

education and was a teacher and believes in education. At least when you read his biography on the web....

[Nevernose]

17. And he really stood up for education when it counted

Stood up to the extremists in his own party when it came time to fund education last summer, joining w/ the Democrats and moderate Republicans -- even took it to the NV Supreme Court.

Guy really earned my respect.

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. Casinos are a business of vice, but they are BIG business even so

I wonder if that pulls things rightward at all?

--------------------------------------------------------
An open letter to John Kerry, John Edwards, and the DNC:
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/OpenLetter.htm

[Nevernose]

12. Ensign, our Repug senator, is a Circus-Circus casino mogul

But the Democratic challenger for district three is a casino exec as well!

Ensign is also, btw, a John Bircher, and the only Nevada politician to have EVER voted in favor of Yucca Mountain.

[Cha]

14. HOw popular is ensign voting For Yucca Mountain?

Geez!

[Nevernose]

20. He's still popular

God only knows why. This state is fucking BIZARRE.

[Lakerstan]

10. As a Las Vegas resident...

I can tell you that Las Vegas is a BIG military town. With Nellis AFB and "other" military places, and frankly not much else, a lot of things go red. I think that can EASILY be changed, though. The Dems just have to make an effort. Harry Reid has to do a LOT more than he is now by way of campaigning.

[Nevernose]

11. Nevada activist checking in:

Bush PROMISED "No Yucca Mountain!" "Sound science will decide." Ignorant fucks here believe him.

And as someone has mentioned: GOD, GUNS, AND GAYS.

Lot of immigrants from wealthier portions of California, lot of miners, ranchers -- people who should know better in other words.

Even Vegas is only half Dem. Of our three statewide reps, two are from LV. The one representing the enitre rest of the state is Repug, as is the one representing the rich neighborhoods of LV.

Unions play a smaller role politically than one might think, as "God, Guns, and Gays" turn blue-collar workers off the Democratic party.

Racism also plays a role, as Nevada was one of the last states to integrate. "Mississippi of the West" it was called.

[John_H]

15. We can win NV. Here's how:

Many of the rethugs in NV are of the libertarian variety.

A strong message about chimp's stopfest on civil liberties and bringing "nucular" waste to to the state could suppress the gun toting vote enough to let a top notch service union, mining union, and hispanic GPTV effort put us over the top.

Making people aware that the bush administration is no "small government leave me alone" operation is key.

[Nevernose]

19. That works in my sales pitch

The Libertarian angle definitely works. You get more flies with honey...

[Cleita]

16. Most of Nevada is Mormon controlled, even Vegas and Reno.

Right now they are conservative in their views and therefore Republican thinking. I think though they aren't in Mr. Orrin Hatch's camp anymore. Cross your fingers.

[69KV]

18. Vegas vs the rest of the state

Clark County (Las Vegas & suburbs) votes Democratic but they aren't always enough to carry the state. The rest of the state votes more like Utah or Idaho. Nevada did go Democratic in 1996 and 1992. I think Nevada is a very close swing state nowadays.

[Lakerstan]

21. Shelly Berkley screwed up Kerry's name

When giving the NV delegates, she said his middle name was Fitzgerald - it's Forbes. Must have been thinking of Kennedy...