Benefits of Angle’s Tea Party endorsement unknown
It may turn out to be the high point of her candidacy, but U.S. Senate hopeful Sharron Angle this week won the endorsement of the national Tea Party Express.
Whether the Tea Party ends up playing an integral role in Campaign '10 remains to be seen. It has managed to attract attention, but proof of its potency will be whether it turns out conservative voters.
This week's ringing endorsement of former state Assemblywoman Angle shows it's sticking to its principles. Angle trails badly in the latest statewide Las Vegas Review-Journal poll behind Sue Lowden and Danny Tarkanian, but no one who has followed the campaign questions her conservative credentials.
The R-J polls have, however, showed her edging Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid if the two faced off in a general election.
Meanwhile, national Libertarian Party Executive Director Wes Benedict, in anticipation of the Tea Party's tax day protests, chided the group for its increasingly Republican flavor. Benedict said: "The people participating in these rallies are saying, 'There's too much government spending,' but Republicans, decade after decade, have supported massive increases in government spending."
AARP CARD: Nevada Athletic Commission Chairwoman Pat Lundvall takes umbrage with my recent criticism of the Evander Holyfield-Frans Botha fight, which ringside observers tell me lived down to expectations Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center. The battle of the 40-something fighters in front of thousands of empty seats was a thoroughly legitimate sporting event, Lundvall reassured me before the fight.
Meanwhile, it's just a rumor that octogenarians Carmen Basilio and Virgil Akins are bracing for a rematch.
SPIDER-MAN SPIED: Movie fans are catching wind of a new actor playing the role of Spider-Man in an action adventure that's sure to set box office records. His name is Jack, and he's a 6-year-old Make-A-Wish kid with some serious acting skills.
The movie will premiere later this year, but this week, the new Spider-Man will be seen at the Las Vegas Hilton rescuing a dozen Elvis impersonators from the clutches of the evil Carrot Top.
That Carrot Top: one bad vegetable.
LIONS ROAR: The Las Vegas Lions Club has been helping local charities in this community since shortly after gambling was legalized and Hoover Dam was completed.
For decades, the Lions have supported the Nevada Blind Center. Each year, they also provide eyeglasses for hundreds of public school children who can't afford them. The UMC Burn Unit also benefits from the Lions' quiet presence.
The organization's biggest fundraiser is its annual Lions Club Golf Classic, which this year is set for May 22 at the Palm Valley Golf Course at Sun City. To contribute or participate, contact Roger Unger at 498-9530.
ON THE BOULEVARD: Casino sources with good track records are whispering specifics, but Palms prince George Maloof reveals his poker face as he shrugs off the latest rumor that a gaming giant is trying to buy into his place.
"We've always had people interested in doing something at the Palms," he says.
Meanwhile, Harrah's Entertainment is issuing at least $500 million in secured notes to pay down loans. Some journalism sources are speculating Harrah's will use some of that money for acquisitions.
BOULEVARD II: More developments are coming soon in the College of Southern Nevada theft investigation. The case is about to get more complicated. Jilted USA Capital clients are wondering what has become of former executive Tom Hantges now that his ex-partner Joe Milanowski has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for wire fraud. Speaking of USA Capital, former big investor Sal Reale appears in excellent health.
BOULEVARD III: Just off the presses: Former FBI agent Herm Groman's first novel, "Pigeon Spring," and former Stardust sports book director Scott Schettler's entertaining "We Were Wiseguys and Didn't Know It."
Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295. He also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/smith.
