Obama campaign plans stop to broaden appeal in Nevada

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama plans a campaign stop in rural Elko in early August, and he and the other top three Democratic presidential candidates are being courted to attend a forum later in the month at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., also are slated to speak in Las Vegas in August at a black journalists' convention, the National Association of Black Journalists announced. Obama is scheduled to speak Aug. 10 at the group's Convention and Career Fair at Bally's, while Clinton's appearance is slated for Aug. 9.

Obama's visit to Elko is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 3 or Aug. 4 as part of a "rural American listening tour," a campaign spokeswoman said. However, an Obama office spokesman in Elko said the visit would be Aug. 5.

Democratic candidates, particularly presidential candidates, traditionally spend little time campaigning in the Republican-dominated rural parts of Nevada, including Elko County.

In June, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson was the first Democratic presidential candidate to visit Elko in 50 years, said Lance Whitney, chairman of the Elko County Democrats.

In 2004, U.S. Sen. Harry Reid complained that John Kerry's disregard for rural America cost him the presidency.

"It was very disappointing to see how John Kerry completely ignored people he really shouldn't have," Whitney said. "Republicans visit all the time."

Obama said Tuesday that he understands the importance of campaigning throughout Nevada, not just in Las Vegas and Clark County.

"Look, John Kerry won overwhelmingly in Clark County," Obama told the Reno Gazette-Journal.

"But he lost overwhelmingly in those rural communities. If you lose in predominantly Republican rural areas by 2-to-1, that's real different than losing 5-to-1."

"I want every vote. I don't expect to get every vote, but if I don't show up at all, I won't get a lot of votes," he added. "We are going to be actively campaigning there."

The Aug. 22 event planned at UNR is co-sponsored by the Washington D.C.-based Brookings Institution and ABC News.

In an attempt to give candidates more time to discuss issues, organizers have invited only the top four in the national polls: Clinton, Obama, Richardson and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards.

Review-Journal writer Molly Ball contributed to this report.