Political emissaries descend on valley

Nevada, it has been said, is critical. Polls are tight. Electoral votes are scarce.

We have five of them to give, important votes even if they're from a small battleground state.

And so we get this:

Kelsey Grammer, aka Sideshow Bob, aka Frasier Crane, schmoozing.

Bill Richardson, bearded New Mexico governor, former friend of the Clintons, policy pitching.

John Ratzenberger, best known as TV's Cliff Clavin, the inimitable mailman, joshing.

Yes, Nevadans, it has come down to the last 31/2 weeks before the Nov. 4 election and all tactics are fair game.

Even celebuwonking.

As Democrat Barack Obama whip-snapped his way through Ohio (20 electoral votes) and Republican John McCain criss-crossed Wisconsin (10 electoral votes) and Minnesota (10 electoral votes) Friday, their deputies descended on Nevada for stumping purposes.

Richardson arrived first. He sat down with a group of local business owners at Somers' Furniture on Polaris Avenue to pitch Obama's plans.

"We hope Nevada really comes through because you're the battleground state," Richardson told them. "Which is why I'm here."

The event gave Richardson a chance to tout Obama's plans, which he said included a tax cut for most people, billions of dollars invested in clean energy, and a health care plan that will help the uninsured gain access to insurance.

The business owners, close to 40 in all, were mostly Democrats whose sympathies lie with Obama.

There was discussion of Obama's plans to help small businesses by expanding the Small Business Administration, extending emergency loans to small businesses, and enacting tax incentives to help small businesses create jobs.

"All of these great things we're talking about," the governor said, "we can't get them done unless we elect Obama."

With that, Richardson took off, headed for a similar event at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Paul Speirs, who owns Steinbeck Communications, a public relations firm, said after the event that he's a Republican but he's going to vote for Obama.

He cited the Democrat's inspiring speeches, positive attitude and leadership qualities. Indeed, Speirs compared Obama to Republican meta-hero Ronald Reagan, not so much for policy similarities, but for the intangibles.

Reagan, he said, "inspired everyone to think beyond themselves." Obama "sparks that in me again."

So anyway, speaking of things getting sparked ...

The two aforementioned Hollywood actors hit the ground at Republican campaign offices near Pecos Road and the Las Vegas Beltway a little after lunchtime.

Dozens of volunteers were manning the phones, hitting up registered voters for help.

All that stopped when the stars walked in, surrounded by cameras and fawners.

"I grew up watching you," said Suzanne Hansen, a young lady in a sleek black dress and tall, leathery boots. "You were quite the mailman."

Ratzenberger smiled. He shook hands. He hit the phones, as did Grammer.

"I understand you're voting for John McCain," the former TV shrink said into the phone. "Good. I'm just calling to say thanks."

The stars moved on. They worked the room, never losing their smiles, never being too harsh in their criticism of their opponent.

"We watch you on Fox News all the time," said an admirer.

"Oh, thank you," said Grammer.

They met volunteers. They met Sarah Palin's distant cousin, Dylan Jones, 19, who is down here from Washington state to help win Nevada over.

Jones said his dad's mother and Palin's mother are sisters. He introduced his mom, Brandi Jones, to the TV star.

"She looks like Sarah," a woman in the back whispered.

"Lucky girl," said her friend.

Soon, two white-haired sisters, the Auspitzes, pounced.

"You were great on 'Dancing with the Stars,'" said one of them, Blanche or Lillian, it was hard to tell which one. "That was quite a show."

Yes, yes it was, said Grammer.

Soon, Grammer and Ratzenberger had to go. They shook hands. They posed for photos. They chatted with the TV cameras.

On the way out, they passed a fat man in a Norm wig (that was Ted Jackson from the McCain campaign).

And that was that. On to the next event, and then the next and so on and so on.

Representatives from the two campaigns said neither candidate is scheduled to visit Nevada again any time soon.

This weekend, Obama is scheduled to visit Pennsylvania (21 electoral votes) and Virginia (13 votes).

McCain will be in Iowa (7) and Ohio (20).

Pop star Justin Timberlake will be here today, stumping for Obama.

Contact reporter Richard Lake at rlake@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0307.