Democratic presidential hopefuls target state
Top Democratic presidential candidates are set to descend on Las Vegas late this week, with visits planned by Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards.
In addition to addressing the convention of the National Association of Black Journalists, Clinton and Obama have planned campaign events in town, while Edwards is scheduled to give a speech on trade policy to a local union.
Clinton will participate in a panel discussion at the journalists' convention at 11 a.m. on Thursday, an event open only to conference attendees.
At 1 p.m., the New York senator and former first lady will meet with members of the Culinary union at their headquarters, and at 2:45 p.m. she is to attend an organizing meeting at the home of a local supporter. Those events are invitation-only.
The events are billed as the kickoff of a "Ready to Lead in the West" tour throughout Nevada, although Clinton leaves for California Thursday evening. A spokeswoman, Hilarie Grey, said the "tour" was not intended to mean consecutive days but would consist of multiple visits.
Clinton is slated to return to Nevada on Monday for a campaign event in Pahrump. In addition, sources said her husband, former President Bill Clinton, plans to campaign for her when he comes to Nevada Aug. 17 for the Tahoe Summit.
Obama's talk with the journalists' group is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on Friday. He is then scheduled to hold a town hall meeting open to the public at Rancho High School, located at 1900 E. Owens Ave., west of Eastern Avenue.
Free tickets for the Illinois senator's appearance are available online at www.barackobama.com or at the campaign's local office, 3041 E. Flamingo Road, Suite A.
Obama's wife, Michelle, meanwhile, is scheduled to appear in Reno on Thursday.
Edwards' Las Vegas town hall meeting also is scheduled for Friday afternoon. The former North Carolina senator and former vice presidential nominee is scheduled to appear at 4:45 p.m. at the Laborers International Union Local 872 office at 4201 E. Bonanza Road, #101.
Edwards on Monday unveiled details of his trade proposals, saying that U.S. trade policies in recent years "have been bad for working Americans."
Clinton, Obama and other members of Congress seeking the presidency have more time to spend campaigning this month, as Congress on Monday began a vacation that lasts until Labor Day.
