CAUCUS NOTES

Democrat Barack Obama is airing more new television ads in Nevada, and Republican Mitt Romney will pick up another endorsement as he begins a two-day swing through the state today.

Also returning to Nevada today is former President Clinton, who will campaign across Southern Nevada for his wife while she is in California. He'll be joined by former basketball star Magic Johnson at one stop.

Romney is being endorsed by state Sen. Joe Heck, R-Henderson, according to the campaign. A doctor running for his first re-election this year, Heck is also a U.S. Army Reserve colonel who later this month will start a deployment that will send him to Iraq.

Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, visits Las Vegas today and is scheduled to campaign in Nevada on Friday as well.

Obama's two 30-second ads strike different notes. "President" features the Illinois senator shouting exhortations to a cheering crowd, while "Would" has strings playing in the background and a deep-voiced narrator over black-and-white images.

In the latter, the narration states, "Five years ago, he said what the others would not, opposing the rash and reckless war in Iraq." It also touts Obama's ethics reform efforts in Congress and says he will "do what the others cannot" in bringing America together.

The other ad has Obama saying, "I'll be a president who finally makes health care available to every single American by bringing Democrats and Republicans together." Obama says he also will cut taxes on the middle class and end the war.

Obama rival Hillary Clinton's campaign took issue with the health-care claim, saying Obama's health care plan isn't universal. Obama in the ad doesn't claim his plan would cover everyone, but a headline is shown onscreen that reads, "Obama offers universal health care plan."

A local doctor who supports Clinton and the New York senator's top policy adviser held a conference call with reporters calling the ad "inaccurate."

At issue is whether, in the efforts to get Americans affordable health insurance, people should be required to buy coverage. Clinton's plan includes such a mandate; Obama's does not.

Clinton claims Obama would thus leave 15 million people uninsured, including 160,000 in Nevada. Obama disputes that claim, saying he believes most people would jump at the chance to get good health insurance at a good price.

Obama and Clinton both are bombarding voters with glossy mailers. Obama recently sent out a 17-page booklet urging people to caucus, with the note, "Democrats, independents and Republicans can caucus for Obama."

Meanwhile, efforts to promote Clinton include mailers from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which also is running television ads promoting her candidacy. Clinton's campaign also is sending some voters a letter touting her efforts in Nevada.

The letter states: "Everyone agrees that the race is close and that the outcome will be decided by a handful of supporters. ... If just one in three of my supporters stays home on caucus day, we will not be successful."

Hillary Clinton is scheduled to campaign in the San Fernando Valley and Santa Barbara in California today.

President Clinton is scheduled to make appearances in North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Henderson and Las Vegas. All of his "Delivering Real Change" events are free and open to the public.

At 11:30 a.m., Clinton visits Legacy High School, 150 W. Deer Springs Way, North Las Vegas.

At 3:30 p.m., Clinton speaks at Garrett Middle School, 1200 Avenue G, Boulder City.

At 5:15 p.m., Clinton will be at the Henderson Convention Center, 200 Water St., Henderson.

Clinton's final event is a rally scheduled for 6 p.m. in Freedom Park, 850 N. Mojave Road.

Democratic candidate John Edwards will hold a town meeting at 9 a.m. today at the Henderson Convention Center. After that, he is scheduled to travel to Reno and Elko.

After a morning event in Henderson Wednesday, Obama took a California detour, traveling to Los Angeles. This morning, he's in San Francisco, returning to Las Vegas in the afternoon.

Obama's wife, Michelle, and Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, who recently endorsed Obama, will campaign for him today at 3:15 p.m. at the Clubhouse at Bella Vida, 5010 Indian River Drive. Michelle Obama then joins her husband at his 4 p.m. town hall. Kerry will also campaign in Southern Nevada on Friday.

Nevada's Democratic and Republican presidential nominating caucuses are scheduled for Saturday.

By MOLLY BALL/REVIEW-JOURNAL