Nevada necessary for Obama to win, top Democrat says

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A top national Democratic official told delegates Monday that Nevada is a must-win state for President Barack Obama.

Patrick Gaspard, executive director of the Democratic National Committee, said the White House race will be close, mostly because Nevadans are still suffering from a poor economy.

"If the president were here today, he would say we haven't done enough," Gaspard told Nevada delegates at a breakfast at their hotel.

He said that's why Obama needs four more years in office to get his jobs bill passed and inject more investment in infrastructure projects to get the economy moving .

"We absolutely, positively need to carry (Nevada) in the fall," Gaspard said, criticizing the GOP convention. "Did you watch that clown show in Tampa? Can we just call them liars?"

Gaspard said the middle class would suffer, Medicare would be gutted and Social Security would be "turned into a coupon" if Republicans win and pass vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan's budget proposals.

"It's going to drag everybody back several decades," Gaspard warned.

He said the GOP ticket also would be bad for women and minorities.

Gaspard assured the Nevada delegates that Obama has the competitive drive to win the election but needs help from activists to get out the vote.

"He hates to lose in basketball. He hates to lose in cards. And he certainly hates to lose in politics. That guy is the best closer that we have."

A top Republican operative in Nevada noted residents aren't better off than four years ago when Obama took office. Then, Nevada's unemployment rate was 9.6 percent, or several points lower than today.

Darrell Littell, who works for Team Nevada's GOP shop, mocked Vice President Joe Biden for saying Monday in Michigan he had a message for voters: "America is better off today than they left us when they left." It was a reference to the Bush administration when the economy first went into free fall.

Littell responded, "To Joe Biden, the question of are you better off is a story for the Washington press corps. For millions of Nevadans, the answer to the question determines whether they can afford to stay in their homes or not."

Most polls show Obama edging out Romney in Nevada, but both men have frequently campaigned in the state that's considered one of half a dozen states that will decide the 2012 race.

Gaspard said October debates will give Obama a chance to show Americans the stark choice the country faces if voters choose Romney .

Romney would protect the rich with tax breaks, while Obama would strengthen the middle class and protect people's health care and retirement programs, Gaspard said. "When the president is toe to toe with him, I think we'll do OK."

Asked after the breakfast if Obama was overconfident he'll win, Gaspard said no. "You can't be overconfident in the economic environment we're in."

He also said Republicans are outspending Obama and Democrats three to one on TV advertising. "So it's going to be close. It's going to be tight," he said.

Contact reporter Laura Myers at lmyers@review
journal.com or 702-387-2919. Follow her on Twitter @lmyerslvrj.