New spokeswoman for state Dems

The state Democratic Party has plucked a Las Vegas Sun reporter, Phoebe Sweet, to serve as communications director.

Prior to the new gig, Sweet served as the Sun's environment reporter, a job she held since 2006. "We are very fortunate to have Phoebe Sweet join our staff," state party Chairman Sam Lieberman said in a news release. "Under her leadership, we have a strong communications team ready to fight the Republican obstruction, attacks and hypocrisy that have already characterized this election cycle."

As the party's statement points out, the hire is a clear signal that the Democrats aren't taking any down time as they gear up for the 2010 election cycle, when Sen. Harry Reid will be running for re-election and there is likely to be a competitive race for governor. The other five statewide constitutional offices also will be on the ballot in 2010.

While the state Democratic Party now boasts three full-time communications staffers -- Sweet, Deputy Communications Director Paul Smith, and Hispanic media specialist Emilia Pablo -- the Republicans simply direct media inquiries to their overworked executive director and have not had a separate communications staff in years.