Richardson speaks during NLV mock caucus

Everything was in Spanish at a Democratic political education event Saturday, including the presidential candidate who came to address the gathering.

Bill Richardson, the governor of New Mexico, was the guest of honor at a Saturday mock caucus at Rancho High School in North Las Vegas. The school sits in a heavily Hispanic neighborhood, and the state Democratic Party targeted Hispanics with the event, a rehearsal for the Jan. 19 caucuses.

The Democrats' outreach to Hispanics in Nevada continues to intensify. In addition to old standbys like voter registration drives, they've taken creative steps, like sponsoring a soccer team in a Hispanic league locally.

Starting Thursday, the party will go on the air with Spanish radio ads exhorting listeners to get involved in politics. And next week, billboards will go up advertising the caucus in Spanish -- "Enero 19, Sabado."

The ads say, "We all talk about politics ... but what about participating?"

Kirsten Searer of the state Democratic Party said the ad campaign aims to "make sure the Hispanic community knows that we're inviting them to participate, we want them to participate, and it's easy to participate."

At Saturday's event, brightly costumed girls and boys performed Hispanic folklore dances, and the school's own mariachi band played a set.

Richardson was introduced by his wife Barbara, who hasn't previously campaigned with him here. Both looked appropriately Western-casual, she in a quilted vest and boots, he in jeans and a sweater under his blue blazer.

Richardson, as he often does here, sprinkled his short speech with Spanish. Of mostly Mexican heritage and raised in Mexico City, he hopes to become the first Hispanic president.

Richardson stressed his Western credentials and his long résumé. He began to shout when he came to the topic of immigration, saying a fair policy is needed, and "that means we're not going to be demonizing immigrants."

Slipping into Spanish, he noted that as governor he allowed illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses in New Mexico, a controversial topic. He didn't translate that line into English.

In recent debates, Richardson has played the role of peacemaker, asking his fellow Democrats not to attack each other personally. He's made that a central part of his message now.

On Saturday, he said, "Let us not tear each other down. Let us be positive toward one another. Let us highlight our differences on policy, but no mudslinging, no personal attacks. Save that for the Republicans."

Richardson scored a coup Saturday with the news he is being supported by state Sen. Maggie Carlton, a coffeeshop waitress at Treasure Island and the voice of the Culinary union in the state Legislature.

The politically powerful Culinary union said last week it won't endorse a candidate until early next month. Carlton said her decision didn't reflect the union's views, just her own.

"Everybody knows who I am and what I represent," she said. "Hopefully what I represent will reflect positively on the governor (Richardson)."

Despite spending more time in Nevada than any other candidate, 20 days so far, Richardson has failed to gain traction in polling here, even as he occasionally breaks into double digits in Iowa and New Hampshire. He said the campaign still has high hopes for Nevada -- "We're building our name recognition."

Speaking to reporters after addressing the crowd of about 150, Richardson said, "We want to be in the top three in Iowa, we want to be in the top three in New Hampshire, we want to be in the top three in Nevada," and then, he said, he stands a good chance in the Feb. 5 states, many of which are in the West.

In the mock caucus conducted after Richardson left, candidates' surrogates gave pitches in English and Spanish. Speaking for Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, activist Vicenta Montoya said, "No es el candidato mas guapo ... pero es el mas maduro." He's not the most handsome candidate, but he is the most experienced.

Party staffers then conducted a practice caucus in which participants picked their favorite Hispanic celebrities. Salma Hayek and Shakira were the big winners.

Las Vegan Gloria Ely, 56, said she came with her husband and granddaughter because "we didn't know what a caucus is." She said she would definitely participate in January.

Ely said she liked what Richardson had to say and it was neat to see a candidate in person. But she said her decision would hinge on whom the ironworkers union, to which her husband belongs, chooses to endorse.

"Whoever they tell him to vote for, we'll support," she said.

Contact reporter Molly Ball at mball @reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2919.