Politicians get close, personal

Friends and family of Lori Spielberg have long known how multiple sclerosis has crippled her both physically and financially. Since October, the leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination has also known.

How did Sen. Hillary Clinton find out?

"I talked to her one-on-one, I couldn't believe it," said the 51-year-old Spielberg, who often must use a cane or walker to get around. "I was so nervous I didn't know whether to curtsy or bow. She even gave me a big bear hug."

So it goes when the state's Jan. 19 caucuses are only a couple of months away.

Early caucuses and primaries go a long way toward making or breaking a candidate's dream of serving as president. They also have a way of making politicians get up close and personal, meaning politicians normally seen by Nevadans only on "Meet The Press" are now regularly giving campaign talks at Las Vegas Valley high schools, community centers and union halls.

That access has provided Nevadans an opportunity to question those vying to become the next president of the United States about the issues that matter most to them, from health care to unions, from strengthening families to the war in Iraq.

Voters who generally couldn't talk to a high-ranking office holder without making a sizable campaign contribution are now able -- and even encouraged by candidate handlers -- to ask questions or express concerns.

And those same handlers are always on the lookout for people who can help punctuate a candidate's ideas. Among these are Roberto Souflee, a 31-year-old Las Vegas union carpenter, who was featured as Democratic candidate John Edwards spoke about the importance of unions to the middle class, and Spielberg, a former businesswoman who shared a podium with Clinton when the candidate spoke about health care.

Spielberg first became known to the New York senator after one of the disabled woman's friends shared her story with Clinton campaign workers. A Clinton adviser called Spielberg, asking if she would tell her story at the health care forum the senator was holding.

"Of course, I agreed," Spielberg said. "One of my biggest concerns is the health care crisis. I have struggled financially during the past 20 years, wiped out all my savings, and had to file bankruptcy to afford my medical insurance premiums. Now I'm living on Social Security disability."

On Oct. 21 she met Clinton before they both spoke at the East Las Vegas Community/Senior Center.

"From what I had heard in the media she was supposed to be cold," Spielberg said. "But there she was hugging me and telling me not to give up hope. I like her so much I'm going to make calls on her behalf and I've even done a blog that's on her Web site."

Spielberg's blog details her struggles to get adequate care for the autoimmune disease that strikes the central nervous system.

"I'm convinced from talking to her that she wants to introduce health care reform so people don't end up like me," she said. "Once I had to threaten suicide in order to get an appointment."

RETAIL CAMPAIGNING

The candidates' retail approach to campaigning has not only given Nevadans a bigger voice on the issues, it has also engaged Silver State voters in presidential politics to a degree seldom seen before.

Though Sara Arthrell, a 21-year-old business management major at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, was impressed after reading both of Democratic Sen. Barack Obama's books, "Dreams from My Father" and "The Audacity of Hope," she said it was meeting Obama at Cheyenne High School that energized her work as head of UNLV Students for Barack Obama.

She said he spoke to a small group of supporters for 20 minutes, focusing on the power each person had in sparking change, whether it be in ending a war, enhancing the environment or promoting health care reform. "I was captivated by his passion," she said.

"I never was involved in politics," she said. "But meeting and listening to him, his passion for life and getting things done is contagious. You want to work for him because you want him to do what he's promising to do."

Trever Keele, a 28-year-old dental student at UNLV, got more involved with the presidential campaign of Republican Rep. Ron Paul after meeting the candidate during an appearance on the Strip.

Keele had studied Paul's platform for two years, believing his positions on limited constitutional government, low taxes, free markets and stricter monetary policies were just what the country needed.

"When I met him in person, I was so impressed with his humility, that he was doing what he does because he loves the Constitution, freedom and liberty," Keele said. "I could tell that his principles were bigger than his ego. Meeting him made me want to be more active. I've now helped put up signs, made phone calls, walked neighborhoods, encouraged people to support him."

PEOPLE SKILLS

What Nevadans have seemed to enjoy most about meeting candidates is finding out that they're not just the sound bite-spewing talking heads they see on TV.

Some are impressed by New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's stands on issues, particularly his willingness to get American troops out of Iraq within a year of taking office.

But Bill Jacobs was even more impressed by the Democratic candidate's people skills. After meeting him once at a function, Jacobs was stunned when the candidate came over to him during Las Vegas' recent Hispanic Day Parade and called him by name.

"I couldn't believe he remembered me," said Jacobs, who now works at Richardson's campaign headquarters in Las Vegas.

Republican candidates have been less visible in Nevada, but Dwight Crevelt had his choice for president confirmed following one candidate's appearance.

When Fred Thompson, the former Tennessee senator best known for his portrayal of a prosecutor on TV's "Law and Order," showed up for a fundraiser recently at Stoney's Rockin' Country Dance Hall, the 50-year-old Crevelt was there. He said he believes that Thompson is what he says he is: a fiscal and social conservative who is strong on national security.

"One thing I noticed with Senator Thompson is what you see is what you get," Crevelt said. "He doesn't flip-flop on issues to meet some political expediency. He's as close to (former President Ronald) Reagan as you're going to get."

When Souflee finished a recent speech at a carpenters' union meeting, a talk during which he stood next to presidential candidate John Edwards and spoke about how much better he lives now that he is part of a union, Edwards was one of the first to congratulate him on his speech.

"I saw the human side of the man that day," he said. "He talked about his dad working in the mill and he said unions can make things so much better for people."

With the opportunity to meet the candidates and weigh in on their positions on the issues, Nevadans, whether they're Republicans or Democrats, are making a huge mistake if they don't get involved in the caucuses, Ron Paul supporter Keele said.

"Nevada has a chance to shape politics across the entire country," he said. "Why wouldn't you want to be part of that?"

Contact reporter Paul Harasim at pharasim @reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2908.