Democrats eat it up

After spending two hours debating the issues for a national television audience, the Democratic presidential candidates spent seven minutes each telling a crowd of Clark County Democrats in a Paris Las Vegas ballroom why one of them should occupy the White House in 2009.

But it was the front-runner and final speaker, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, who turned her seven-minute address before the annual Jefferson Jackson dinner into a campaign rally.

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards each received loud applause from their supporters, but Clinton dominated the room of more than 2,300, who dined on chicken, fish and steak.

Winning over the crowd of dedicated Democrats, many of whom will serve as precinct captains for the Nevada presidential caucuses, was seen as key to a strong showing on Jan. 19.

The former first lady repeated the well-honed themes of her campaign: health care, getting U.S. troops out of Iraq and reforming education. And her supporters had a boisterous response, holding up signs with her slogan, "Turn up the Heat," and "Ready for Change," when asked what they were going to do.

"This has been a great night for Democrats in Nevada," Clinton said. "This is the most important election in our country's history. We are ready for change, and we're ready to take our country back."

Clinton did not address the other candidates, saving her sharpest criticism for President Bush.

Clark County Democratic Party Chairman John Hunt told audience members that they were hearing from the next president of the United States and that the appearance by the candidates had helped the party raise more than $300,000 that evening. Attendees paid $125 to $175 a plate.

Each candidate took a different tack in trying to stay within their allotted seven minutes.

All were warmly received, including former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel, who was not invited by CNN to participate in the televised debate.

"This was corporate censorship," Gravel said.

Before the candidates spoke, Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean warmed up the crowd, taking a few potshots at the Republican presidential candidates. Dean also told the crowd that Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons should be replaced.

"Any single Democrat running for president is better than any of the Republicans," Dean said.

Hunt introduced each candidate, starting with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who was celebrating his 60th birthday Thursday. Hunt brought out a cake, and the crowd sang "Happy Birthday."

Richardson spent his seven minutes reciting the familiar themes of his campaign, trying to touch on every issue. He emphasized his status as the only Westerner in the race.

"I understand Nevada issues," Richardson said. "I promise to be a president who cares about you and the West."

Obama spoke just before Clinton and received the loudest applause to that point. Unlike the debate, where he went after Clinton, Obama stuck to his theme of changing the way business is done in Washington, D.C.

"We need a change in policies and change in leadership in America," Obama said. "We need real and meaningful change that America can believe in."

Edwards likewise repeated his campaign themes, but also brought up his background as a trial lawyer, saying he took on big corporations in courtrooms and won. He said he would do the same thing from the White House.

Delaware Sen. Joe Biden said that the presidency was not on-the-job training and that he had the most experience of any of the candidates.

"The minute you get behind that desk in the Oval Office, you need to be ready to put a plan into place to end the war in Iraq," Biden said.

Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd thanked his firefighter supporters who packed the room in their gold and black T-shirts. He also recognized former Nevada Sen. Richard Bryan and his wife, Bonnie.

"I'm asking you tonight for your help and your support," Dodd said.

Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich touched on a Nevada issue, saying he voted six times in Congress against making Yucca Mountain the national nuclear waste repository.

He also noted the presence of Harriet Trudell, the political director of the Clark County Democratic Party, who said she has been attending events such as the Jefferson Jackson dinner since 1962.

"What's wonderful is that we're seeing so many new faces," Trudell said. "There are people here who I've never seen, and it's wonderful they are involved in the process."

John Ponticello, president of the Paradise Democratic Club, echoed Trudell's assessment.

Ponticello said he normally knows every volunteer at a local Democratic event. He said he recognized about 5 percent of the faces Thursday night.

"I think this dinner will go down as the biggest event in the history of the Democratic Party in Nevada," Ponticello said.

"I have no idea how we can ever top this. To have all these people and all the candidates is just incredible. It's wonderful so many new people are getting involved."

Contact reporter Howard Stutz at hstutz@reviewjournal.com or (702) 477-3871.