Scotti elected Clark County GOP chairman

Richard Scotti, a local attorney and longtime party activist, was elected chairman of the Clark County Republican Party at Tuesday night's meeting, replacing Bernie Zadrowski, who didn't run for re-election after his two-year term ended.

Scotti defeated four other candidates who sought the post. In an interview, he said he believes the time is ripe for a Republican resurgence as a backlash develops to President Barack Obama and Democratic control of Washington.

"We feel like we're under attack from within, and most Americans agree with us," he said. "Obama's ratings have dropped. People are starting to fight back."

Other party officers elected by the central committee Tuesday at Arizona Charlie's included Vice Chairman Robert Ruckman, Political Director David Isbell, Secretary Heather Kydd, Treasurer Swadeep Nigam, Coalitions Director Frank Ricotta and Precinct Administrator Duane Libby.

Scotti said one of his goals is more aggressive action to spread the party's message, and he didn't waste any time getting started. Today, the party put out a news release bashing the Obama administration for its stance on travel to Nevada destinations, taking its cue from a recent Wall Street Journal story about federal agencies being discouraged from planning events in resort destinations.

The release takes the position that anyone in Nevada who would defend the president is automatically being disloyal to the state. "In the light of recent events, it should be clear to all Nevadans that from now on, anyone who supports President Obama does not support Las Vegas, Reno or Nevada," the news release states.

Gov. Jim Gibbons on Wednesday also took the opportunity to reiterate his "anger and disappointment" at Obama, while Sen. Harry Reid today released a pair of memos showing that the travel policy began under President George W. Bush.