Nevada Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie Talks About FOX and The Debate Controversy

Is the brouhaha over the Nevada Democratic Party teaming with FOX News to broadcast their Reno presidential debate actually a "controversy" out in the real world, or just another tempest spawned by bloggers, for bloggers?

Since the fight has been almost exclusively waged in the mostly insular world of political blogs, we thought we'd ask people who are actually working in politics. People who make policy, run for office, help campaigns, etc.

One of those who was happy to answer and give her personal opinion on the debate dispute was Nevada Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie (AD-27). And, perhaps not surprisingly, the FOX debate isn't such a hot topic in the Silver State capital after all.

"I haven't heard much discussion about this at the Legislature," the Democratic Majority Whip told us. "We are consumed right now with the session and don't have much time left over to talk about distractions that don't affect the bills we're working on or the budget process."

Though not a fan of the channel, Leslie did see the value in having it televised by the cable network.

"While I never watch FOX News myself due to the obvious bias their commentators demonstrate, I think reaching out to their audience is probably a very good idea. I think our presidential candidates are very strong and there may be many FOX viewers who are attracted to our candidates despite the condescending attitude I imagine FOX News will use to try and diminish their effectiveness."

As for the calls for boycotts and other petitions, she believes there are more important things a blogger could be doing nowadays instead of fighting over this.

"I would certainly prefer that the energy the blogosphere is devoting to this 'controversy' would be more focused on the issues that matter, the issues we struggle with every day in the Legislature on behalf of our citizens. Fighting among ourselves over things that don't matter in the long run is exactly what FOX News and the right-wing wants. It's counter-productive," said Leslie. "But is it penetrating our 'real' politics world? Not at all."

We also talked with Washoe County Democratic chairman Chris Wicker earlier regarding the issue. Click here for his response.

Carson City Democratic chairman Steve Platt's response can be found here.

Washoe Dem Chair Responds To FOX Debate Controversy

With all the handwringing by some bloggers over the decision by the Nevada Democratic Party to have their August 14, 2007, presidential debate televised by FOX News, we decided to look for someone actually involved with getting candidates elected and crafting party strategy for a comment.

And we found a good one.

Chris Wicker, the Washoe County Democratic Party chairman (and frequent Nevada Newsmakers guest), took some time out to give us his opinion on the blog storm that has demanded either a change in broadcasters or for the candidates to boycott the Reno debate.

Here is his response:

I believe the controversy comes from two main reasons. First, there cannot be any doubt that as a whole FOX News is the most biased news network in general distribution. Many others have elaborated on this in detail, suffice it to say that the Nevada Democratic Party fully recognizes this. Many in the party justifiably want to strike back at FOX or at least deny them the opportunity of broadcasting the Democratic presidential debate. I understand this and I think the attitude is quite justified. I am the party chair in Washoe County (Reno), and my first reaction was much the same as people that oppose this.

On the other hand, what we dislike is the one-sided, almost malicious reporting based on editorial directive. By broadcasting on FOX, we hope to reach an audience that might not be exposed to our candidates and their points of view. I have a great deal of confidence in the quality of our candidates and I think they will come across intelligent, full of ideas and as people looking out for the best for this country and the people, not the political monsters portrayed by the right wing media. It will not convince the 30% die-hards that still support Bush. There are plenty of people that watch FOX and may not even realize how biased it is. It is worth a try to reach out to these people. It is not the only campaign event, but it is significant.

Instead of worrying about an opportunity for FOX, we can look at it as an opportunity for Democrats. The decision has been made and there are legitimate positions on both sides. The worst result would be if we cancelled the deal, I don't think I need to elaborate on the coverage that would have.

As much as I admire what Move On has accomplished, they are very wrong to pursue this petition effort. It is even more wrong and destructive to call for a boycott, etc. We should boldly go where few Democrats have gone and try it out. The party retains control over the event and its content. While I can see disagreement with the decision and disgust with FOX, it seems utterly self destructive to call for a boycott and threaten punishment to those who participate. In order to overcome the destruction wrought by Republican control, we need to stay in power and capture the White House. To do this, independents and moderates need to vote for Democrats. To the majority of American voters who are not aware of Fox's bias, this call for boycott must appear very extremist and does not contribute to taking back the White House one tiny bit.

Nevada Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie and Carson City Democratic chairman Steve Platt have also commented on the controversy. Please click here and here for their response.

Rudy Coming To Reno; Nevada Treasurer Covers All Bases

After the recent deluge of Democratic presidential hopefuls, the GOP will pay a visit to Reno in March.

Current Republican front-runner, Rudy Giuliani, will be making a private fundraising visit March 10. The event is being hosted by Reno Mayor Bob Cashell and Sparks Mayor Geno Martini, among others.

Press Releases For Everyone
It's a little rare for Dullard Mush to receive a press release, let alone one from a government agency. So when our inbox had a missive from the Nevada State Treasurer we were duly impressed, until we saw virtually everybody in the state was receiving it too. Oh well.

Anyway, it was all about how our new treasurer, Kate Marshall, had found $118k in unclaimed funds owed to government agencies (apparently they didn't even know it was missing). And, perhaps in another sign of government efficiency at its finest, the press release also announced a web site has been created to help citizens see if any of the $200 million in unclaimed funds is theirs. As of this afternoon, http://stakeyourclaim-nv.gov/ wasn't working.

Update (2/28): After some IT work, the "stake your claim" site is up and running.

Libertarian Endorses Republican For President; Former Black Panther Seeks Green Party Nomination

Ron Paul, who is considering a run for the GOP presidential nomination, picked up an unlikely endorsement this past week. Michael Badnarik, the 2004 Libertarian Party (LP) presidential nominee, officially announced his support for the Texas congressman.

Well it might not be completely unlikely, as Paul was the LP's 1988 presidential candidate and is known as "Dr. No" in congress for his refusal to vote for any bill he feels is unconstitutional. Badnarik told an audience in New Hampshire, “We should set the Republican, Democrat, Libertarian labels aside, and vote for Ron Paul the person.”

Badnarik also urged the LP to consider nominating Paul to their ticket as well.

Black Panther/Green Party
Former Black Panther leader and political activist Elaine Brown officially announced her campaign to seek the Green Party's 2008 presidential nomination.

Citing the 2006 election results as a "mass rejection of Bush's policies–not a shift to the Democrats," Brown hopes to target non-voters including "women under 30 and African Americans."

Brown says she was drawn to the Greens because “Not only does the Green Party support reparations for slavery, but the party's 10 key values represent the values and interests of poor and working people. Only the Green Party offers clear positions on the needs of the people, in terms of a living wage, decent housing, food, education, and medical care. The Democrats and Republicans offer black and poor people nothing.”

Brown joins Kat Smith, as the only officially declared Green presidential candidate. Ralph Nader and former Democratic congresswoman Cynthia McKinney have also been mentioned as possible candidates.

Darren Mack on "48 Hours Mystery"; In Defense Of Hagar; The Sharpton/Thurmond Connection

The Darren Mack story got the full treatment, from the swinger clubs to his downfall in Mexico over leering at the help, on 48 Hours Mystery this weekend.

Featuring footage of a terrified downtown and interviews with, among others, Amanda Robb (whose depiction of Reno in a Marie Claire article drew the ire of the Reno Gazette Journal's Sioban McAndrew), Caught In The Crossfire covers most of the bases.

For the full story and video, click here.

In Defense of Hagar

After, by his own admission, a rough week, Ray Hager finally had someone come to his defense.

The political reporter and blogger for the RGJ had come under fire from some in the Nevada blogosphere, for his asking Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards what he thought of the state's legalization of prostitution. The question brought an abrupt end to the press conference and prompted Edwards to tell him "I can't believe you asked me that."

But, as Mr. Jerz points out in his post, "(Hagar) asked a legitimate question that is very specific to Nevada law. Imagine, for instance, if Nevada had completely legalized, oh, marijuana or something. That would come up. Why shouldn’t legalized prostitution?"

Likewise, Jerz wasn't too impressed with some of his fellow bloggers.

"If you think about it, there is a tremendous double standard when dealing with Ray Hagar and other local and statewide blogs. Ray is lambasted if he doesn’t pretty much just report, but blogs like the Las Vegas Gleaner and Reno and Its Discontents are heralded for containing pretty much nothing but opinion and the occasional news item."

One wonders what the blogosphere response would have been if it was John McCain who ducked the question?

Sharpton and Thurmond

Geneology experts have determined that civil rights activist and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate Rev. Al Sharpton's great-grandfather was a slave owned by a relative of the late U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond.

"It was probably the most shocking thing in my life," said Sharpton after hearing of the discovery.

Conservapedia.com Raising a Ruckus; Dodd Still Winning DM Poll; Vilsack Drops Out

While perusing Technorati this weekend I noticed one of the popular searches was for something called Conservapedia.com. And though not as highly ranked as the unfolding or, perhaps more accurately, undressing saga of those scandalous pictures of American Idol's Antonella Barba, I was intrigued.

The brainchild of Andrew Schlafly, son of conservative icon Phyllis Schlafly, Conservapedia.com was created to fix "the growing list of examples of bias and errors on Wikipedia." The site hopes to provide a less "gossipy" and more Christian-oriented site. Among the rules for submitting entries is to use B.C. and A.D. when writing dates (and not the Common Era usage, CE and BCE) and using American English when spelling (no "favourites" or "colours").

Needless to say, the site has come under attack in the blog world.

Dodd Still Winning Poll

Chris Dodd continues to lead our poll on who won the Carson City presidential candidate forum. In fact, it's a landslide with 59% picking the Connecticut Senator as of Sunday afternoon. Barack Obama, who didn't even attend, is tied with John Edwards and "No Candidate" for a distant second with 8% of the vote each.

Of course, helping matters, and perhaps skewing the numbers just a tad, was a mention on Dodd's official campaign blog. Still, he did impress The Next President Visits Nevada blogger enough to award Dodd their "Exceeded Expectations Award (We Think He Was Number One)."

Chris Dodd - 59%
John Edwards - 8%
Barack Obama - 8%
No Candidate - 8%
Mike Gravel - 5%
Bill Richardson - 5%
Joe Biden - 3%
Hillary Clinton - 3%
Dennis Kucinich - 0%
Tom Vilsack - 0%

Vilsack Drops Out

Just days after appearing at the above Democratic forum, former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack dropped out of the race, citing the lack of money to effectively run.

I guess this means we won't be getting that interview we were promised back in early December after all.

Chub City? Has Burger King Gone Mad?

Granted, this may be a little off topic, but I do tie in the political angle near the end. Well, kind of.

Anyway, the other afternoon I decided to take my four-year-old on a walk over to Burger King. After answering the usual endless questions on why the wind blows, why that car is going so fast and, the perennial favorite, is that a Southwest plane flying overhead, we arrive at our destination.

He, of course, went with a kid's meal. And, after opening his milk and pulling the top off the Mott's applesauce (the Happy Meal has gone healthy, sort of), I took the requisite toy out of the bag. He was pleased to see it was a car, though I guess technically it was a tricked-out SUV with tinted windows and what appears to be 22-inch scale rims and low-profile tires. But it was the name of the toy that was most interesting to me. You see, it was a "Chub City" vehicle.

Chub City?!

With governmental do-gooders nationwide pointing to fast food as the apparent root of all things fat and evil, and the always-hungry roving pack of trial lawyers looking for the next deep pockets to fleece, why in the world would Burger King (home of the 1,230-calorie, 82-grams of fat Triple Whopper with Cheese [and mayo, for those who are counting]) team up with something called "Chub" for its kids meal?

Now C.H.U.D. City, that would be an interesting tie-in.

Early Results Of DM Poll Have Dodd Winning Carson City

While it may be the lack of actual interest in the 2008 presidential race this early in the game, it's probably much more likely a lack of interest in this blog and the shiny new poll to the left of this story.

So with little to no fanfare, after one day of voting for which candidate people thought won Wednesday's Democratic Presidential Candidate Forum in Carson City our leader is -- Chris Dodd.

And, while his lead is twice that of his closest rival (the Connecticut Senator had two votes), it might not be that out of line. Reno's KREN-TV's political analyst, Pat Thomas (I think), reported that he thought Dodd came out on top, with Joe Biden and John Edwards just behind. He wasn't impressed with Hillary Clinton's performance.

Who Won Carson City? Day One Results:

Chris Dodd - 29%
John Edwards - 14%
Mike Gravel - 14%
Bill Richardson - 14%
No Candidate - 14%
Barack Obama - 14%

Early Reviews On Candidate Forum; New Poll To Vote For Winner

With the first presidential candidate forum officially in the books, the general early consensus (which can always change after the spin) seems to be no candidate hurt themselves or scored a victory.

Despite that lead, we are trying a poll for the first time here (the big box on the left). So if you were there, watched it online or have read about it, vote for who you think won the event. "No candidate" and "Barack Obama, for not showing" are options for the undecided or cynical.

Here are some early takes on the forum, with one highlight (or lowlight) being the John Edwards' post-forum interview being cut short when one intrepid reporter asked the former senator what he thought about legalized prostitution.

Reuters
ABC
FOX
Nevada Caucus 2008

Making Wonkette (Sort Of)

Getting a mention on an A-List blog is always exciting for those that aren't on the list (or the B-, C- and D-List for that matter), but it probably isn't good form to brag too much about it. So I'll try to keep it relatively low key which, considering the actual circumstances, is probably best.

A recent post we did regarding presidential candidates and their Myspace friends was picked up by the Wonkette today. But all that link juice and fleeting fame, technically, won't be coming here to Dullard Mush.com. The Wonkette actually picked up a cross-post at politics.wikia.

A cross-post? Twenty-four hours ago I didn't even know what that actual was. It wasn't until Dan, who runs the above site, had emailed Monday asking if I would like to post the Myspace story there. I went ahead and did, figuring it wouldn't hurt, and less than 24 hours later he has it nationwide and on Digg.

Perhaps I should hire Dan as our publicist.

Update (2/21/07): I think Wonkette added a Dullard Mush link a little later in the day as I started to get a couple hits from them last night.

New JFK Footage Released; B-ball Boobirds Attack Gibbons

New footage taken of President John F. Kennedy just seconds before he was assassinated was released today.

The 40-second 8mm color film, taken by George Jefferies, features a smiling Jacqueline Kennedy passing in the Dallas motorcade. The film also shows the crime scene from the next day.

While not showing the actual shooting, there will be interest in the "bunched up" jacket being worn by JFK. The appearance of the jacket riding up in the back could explain the fact that the bullet wounds on the coat and body did not line up, something conspiracy theorists have long pointed to as evidence of a second shooter.

Gibbons Booed?

Was Governor Jim Gibbons, and Congressman Dean Heller for that matter, booed by UNR basketball fans Saturday night?

That's what some people have said, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal's Ray Hagar. In a blog post today, Hagar notes that some fans reported hearing catcalls when the announcer asked the audience to give a warm welcome to Gibbons and Heller. Others said the reaction was mixed.

If Myspace Friends Determined Elections

If the number of Myspace friends decided the 2008 presidential race it would be Barack Obama for the Democrats and Ron Paul for the GOP.

Ron Paul?

In a sign that Republicans have yet to fully embrace the Myspace phenomenon, or maybe they just realize 14-year-old girls can't vote, their top "friend"-getter was Paul, who is perhaps better known as "Dr. No" in Congress and for his 1988 presidential run on the Libertarian ticket. The Texas congressman had more "friends" (2,485 of them) than John McCain and Rudy Giuliani combined. In fact, Giuliani trailed little-known Oregon candidate Michael Smith.

Unlike the GOP, where none of the major candidates had "official" sites, most Democrats have actively courted the online social network. None more than Obama, whose Myspace site had almost 43,000 "friends" as of February 18. Hillary Clinton was second with 23,330. Surprisingly, Wesley Clark, who has yet to declare his candidacy, was third with almost 14,000.

Democrats

1. Barack Obama (42,709)
2. Hillary Clinton (23,330)
3. Wesley Clark (13,854)
4. John Edwards (11,597)
5. Tom Vilsack (1,347)
6. Al Gore (1,336)
7. Dennis Kucinich (1,067)
8. Bill Richardson (661)
9. Joe Biden (502)
10. Chris Dodd (164)
11. Mike Gravel (6)

Republicans

1. Ron Paul (2,485)
2. John McCain (1,349)
3. Mitt Romney (1,344)
4. Michael Smith (969)
5. Tom Tancredo (836)
6. Sam Brownback (756)
7. Rudy Giuliani (631)
8. Mike Huckabee (383)
9. Chuck Hagel (60)
10. John Cox (34)
11. Duncan Hunter (no sites)

Sites tracked are either official candidate ones, if available, or the top unofficial one.

Libertarian Presidential Candidates Get Panned In Vegas

You know things aren't going well for Libertarians when the only info regarding your party's state convention is a post titled "Two Whackjobs, a Convicted Felon and George Phillies." And that's from someone who likes you!

The Libertarian Party of Nevada, or at least the southern version (the split still seems to be in effect), held their 2007 state convention this past weekend. The highlight was to be a debate between some of the party's current candidates for president. That wasn't the case.

Whether it was literature so bad that "you look it over, and still have to ask him, 'And what’s your name?'" or a performance that "was possibly one of the worst speakers I have ever had to suffer through," blogger Jaqueline Passey apparently had enough. Her first choice for the Libertarian presidential nomination? "Someone better, please!"

Other takes on the convention can be found here, here and here. None were impressed.

Bridge To Nowhere Or Just A Boondoggle

The Reno Gazette-Journal's Ray Hagar has been having fun with the $80.0 million Galena Creek Bridge that stands half-finished.

After posting about a pending visit by Nevada legislators to see first-hand the controversial bridge (the former contractor quit because of safety concerns), apparently lawmakers have changed their minds. The reason, though, depends on who you talk to, wrote Hagar. Some are claiming snow and ice at the site doomed the Wednesday trip, while others said they had photos and the specs so why bother visiting it.

Giuliani and Clinton Lead Pack In Latest Poll

New Yorkers ruled the roost in the latest USA Today/Gallup poll with both Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani increasing their leads in the race for their party's 2008 presidential nomination.

Giuliani saw January's four-point lead over fellow Republican John McCain increase to a 16-point advantage (40-24). Newly-announced Mitt Romney was fourth at 5%. Newt Gingrich was third at 9%.

Barack Obama fever aside, Clinton has built a 19-point lead over the Illinois freshman senator in the Democratic race (40-21). Al Gore moved into third place (14%) despite repeatedly saying he will not run (it's worth noting Gore also has consistently had the highest unfavorable ratings among potential candidates). John Edwards was fourth at 13%.

The margin of error was +/- 5%.

Romney Joins the Fray

Republican Mitt Romney officially launched his bid for the 2008 presidency, by touting his lack of DC experience.

"I don't believe Washington can be transformed from within by lifetime politicians. There have been too many deals, too many favors, too many entanglements — and too little real world experience managing, guiding, leading."

Romney, who has raised an impressive amount of early cash, was a one-term governor of Massachusetts but, despite being considered one of the GOP's big three (with John McCain and Rudy Giuliani), may have problems because of his Mormon faith.

A recent USA Today/Gallup poll found only 58% of the electorate would be "completely comfortable" voting for a Mormon, with 14% saying they would, but "with reservations." A full quarter of those surveyed, however, said they would not vote for a Mormon.

Terror-Free Oil Coming To A Gas Station Near You?

Currently, only those in Omaha, Nebraska, can fill their tanks at an official "Terror-Free Oil" station. However, a Florida-based organization is hoping to add more with its "Terror-Free Oil Initiative" campaign to encourage U.S. consumers to choose gasoline refined from oil purchased from countries that "do not export or finance terrorism."

With a list showing which gasoline retailers use Middle East oil and those that don't, backers are hoping that consumers will start voting with their wallets. However, they may have to do some looking as the vast majority of gas stations fall under the "Companies that finance terrorism by importing oil from the Middle East" category.

To help increase the "good" list, the group is offering franchises for $1. A gas station can become an official "Terror-Free Oil" outlet by agreeing to the following:

Gas/diesel products must be purchased from a company that does not import oil from the Middle East (required).

1% of revenues must be donated to a counter-terrorism organization (required).

If gas station sells diesel, it must offer biodiesel blend (required).

Gas station must offer either E85 or biodiesel or 2% rebates for hybrids (required).

Books must be available for inspection by TFO authorized auditor upon request (required).

E85 should be offered within one year from joining T.F.E.C. (recommended).

2% gas rebates for hybrids (recommended).

Offer additional benefits for drivers of hybrid and FFV vehicles (recommended).

So far, no Nevada station has signed on.

KNPB's "Great Expectations: The 2007 Nevada Legislature" To Air This Week

For an insider's glimpse into what it is like to be a lawmaker, or how the process works, tune in to KNPB-5's Great Expectations: The 2007 Nevada Legislature this Sunday, February 10, at 6 p.m.

The Reno PBS production followed rookies (including the North State's Ty Cobb and David Bobzien) through a "legislative boot camp" as well as interviewed veterans who detailed their "personal battle plans for the session." The program also takes a look at the behind-the-scenes personnel who keep the whole process moving.

Great Expectations will also be shown Friday, February 16, at 1 p.m. and, again on Sunday, February 25, at 6 p.m.

Will Snarkiness Nip Edwards Campaign?

Apparently the current 2008 Presidential Race "Scandal of the Week" is news that the John Edwards campaign has recently hired a pair of bloggers, Amanda Marcotte and Melissa McEwan, whose main contribution to the web appears to be the tiresome practice of copying the Wonkette's once-original brand of snarkiness.

ABC News' Terry Moran, in a blog post titled "Does John Edwards Condone Hate Speech?", points out how the campaign's official "blogmaster," Marcotte, has, among other things, attacked people's faiths, mainly Christian, in a way that "could well be construed as hate speech" on her personal site.

Moran also highlights some of Marcotte's school-yard profanity and name-calling, something that tends to typify many of today's political blogs, and wonders "What, if anything, does it tell us about Edwards that he's joined up with this blogger?" and "Are we all just going to have to get used to a more rough-and-tumble, profane, and even hate-filled public arena in the age of the blogosphere?"

So far, the Edwards camp has resisted calls for Marcotte and McEwan's dismissal.

Bobzien Reflects On First Day In Legislature

For many Nevada legislators, Monday's opening session had even more meaning than usual. It was their first.

One of the those was Reno's David Bobzien. We talked with the AD-24 assemblyman about his first-day impressions.

"Barbara Buckley being elected Speaker of the Assembly, the first woman in our state’s 143-year history, was certainly the story from opening day," said the freshman Democrat. But it wasn't all just pomp and circumstance, "For all the talk of how the opening day is largely ceremonial, we got a lot of business done on the first day. Four hours on the floor was quite an experience."

Bobzien was especially pleased one of the bills highlighted by Buckley in her speech was his on renewable energy (BDR 1054). "It's great that it's going to be an Assembly priority."

Monday also saw some controversy, when incoming assemblyman Ty Cobb (AD-26) cast the lone vote against Buckley for Speaker.

"As for the fireworks from Monday, the incident hits closest to home for the freshmen," noted Bobzien. "We're all down here thrown into this strange world, trying to figure out the often obscure customs and protocols so that we can be effective legislators. I take what happened as an object lesson, and have been thinking about it a lot over the last 48 hours. It's a lesson that we're in the Legislature first and foremost to do right by our constituents and the citizens of Nevada. Being a partisan for partisanship's sake should be pretty far down the list of our individual priorities."

Carson City Forum May See Full Podium After All

Via the RGJ's Anjeanette Damon, the National Journal's Hotline is reporting that Sen. Hillary Clinton has agreed to attend the February 21st presidential candidate forum in Carson City. A forum, that two weeks ago looked like a bust.

Joining her will be Joe Biden, Wes Clark, Chris Dodd, Mike Gravel, Bill Richardson and Tom Vilsack. Barack Obama and John Edwards have yet to confirm.

10 Questions With Democratic Presidential Candidate Sen. Mike Gravel

While Mike Gravel might not garner the press other Democratic presidential hopefuls do, there is something he does trump many of them on -- actual experience.

Gravel spent two terms (1969-81) in the U.S. Senate, representing Alaska, gaining a reputation as a strong opponent to the military draft and the Vietnam War. His months-long filibuster is credited with helping bring an end to the draft.

But, perhaps, his biggest claim to fame was his 1971 decision to release 4,100 pages of the Pentagon Papers, the top-secret U.S. Department of Defense report detailing the nation's decades-long involvement in Vietnam. And while most Americans may not remember the exact details revealed 30+ years ago, many will see eerily familiar parallels to today's War in Iraq. Something not lost on the former Senator.

"We need a new direction. We need a President that will restore sanity and morality and integrity to the White House," Gravel told us. And its a position for which he feels some of his opponents need not apply. "Any Democrat who voted to authorize the war the war in Iraq is morally unfit to hold the office of the President."

In the first part of our email interview Gravel discusses, among other things, what we should do in Iraq, how to deal with Iran, and how the "Fair Tax" can eliminate the IRS.

1) After leaving the U.S. Senate over 25 years ago, what prompted you to climb back into the campaign saddle and make a run for the Presidency and, with most of the media coverage currently focusing on Senators Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards, what do you believe you offer to Americans that the early Democratic front-runners don't have?

On November 7th of last year, Americans went to the polls to send a clear message to the House of Representatives and Senate; stand up to George W. Bush and end the War in Iraq. We celebrated that victory in the hopes that after three disastrous years in Iraq our country was finally heading in the right direction. However, the Democrats have so far refused to respond to the will of the American people and call for a withdrawal of American troops, even as a January USA/Gallup poll has just 26% of Americans supporting Bush's handling the war.

The current Democratic leadership continues to lash out at George Bush for raising troop levels, while they avoid taking action. They have opted for a non-binding resolution that opposes the President's troop escalation by singling out dissenting Republicans. While they have maintained their criticisms, they are refusing to take further action to block the move.

We need a new direction. We need a President that will restore sanity and morality and integrity to the White House. We need experienced leadership that will strengthen our communities at home while restoring our reputation and relations abroad. Any Democrat who voted to authorize the war in Iraq is morally unfit to hold the office of the President.

2) As a U.S. Senator during the Vietnam War years you were famous for releasing the "Pentagon Papers" and your five-month filibuster that helped end the military draft. Do you think your experience in that era gives you added insight into the current War in Iraq?

Yes. For twelve years I served in the United States Senate during another disastrous war. I know what it means to take on a Republican administration that has lost its moral compass. Each day for five years I fought from the floor of the Senate to demand an end to a war that cost the lives of 60,000 US troops and millions of Vietnamese men, women and children. I launched a one-man filibuster against the draft. I stood up to the Nixon administration all the way to the Supreme Court. This is the kind of political ambition that we lack today and that I seek to restore to government. We must use our full range of constitutional authority against those in government whose actions fail to uphold the constitution.

3) It seems everybody in Washington is looking for an "exit strategy" in Iraq, but the debate has mainly been framed in slogans such as "stay the course," "cut and run" and nebulous "time lines". Is there a good strategy out there and, if so, what do you think it is?

The best exit strategy for Iraq is an immediate withdrawal. I do not accept the rationale that it was wrong to go, but right to stay. I refuse to support an illegal war and occupation that the Bush administration sold to the American people with lies and deception. Today, the Presidency stands for preemptive war and institutionalized torture. The office of the Presidency deserves better.

Some Democrats, even some running for President, are now admitting that they made a mistake when they voted to authorize the war in Iraq. But we knew then what we know now; that the President's rush to invade Iraq concealed the truth of the matter which is that the evidence was faulty. Neither Chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix nor IAEA Director Mohamed ElBaradei could definitively say that Iraq had WMD. We now know, of course, that they did not.

4) Staying with foreign policy, while the U.S. and world have been focused on Iraq, perhaps even more dangerous and unstable governments in Iran and North Korea have been developing nuclear weapons. How would a Gravel administration deal with these two countries?

Diplomatically. First we must withdraw from Iraq and remove the provocation that 150,000 troops represent in the region. However, in order to institute a lasting peace in the Middle East, the United States must take a more prominent role in resolving the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. This can only be done with the aid of the international community and the UN. The U.S. needs to encourage Abbas and Hamas to peacefully establish a Palestinian government of national unity and strictly enforce security. We also need to insist that Israel honor its pledge to freeze settlement activity made under the 2003 'Road Map' peace plan.

North Korea was once a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, then withdrew in 2003 around the time George Bush invaded Iraq. I, unlike the current administration, support bilateral talks with Prongyang. I reject the Bush doctrine that dialogue with these countries is a "reward" for good behavior. Let's reestablish communication and move forward peacefully, rather than relying on military superiority and intimidation.

5) The Patriot Act passed with great fanfare in the days after 9/11, yet as time has passed many people, from all sides of the political spectrum, have had reservations with some aspects of it. What is your position on the Patriot Act?

That it is illegal and unconstitutional to eliminate or weaken government checks and balances. The federal government cannot just eradicate judicial process. Once again, the Democrats are guilty of complicity with the illegalities of the Bush administration. Russ Feingold is the only Democratic Senator to have originally voted against it.

6) Immigration once again became, or at least tried to be, an issue in 2006. The debate seemed to fall into either "amnesty", "guest worker program" or "deportation" camps. Do you support any current plan or have one of your own?

It is in America's best interest to have secure borders. The best way to do achieve this is to stop the flow of immigrants attempting to cross the border ever day. We cannot begin to discuss Mexican immigration without discussing NAFTA and the concept of "free trade." NAFTA has been a disaster for the working class of both the US and Mexico and has been a godsend for corporations. A study by the Economic Policy Institute found that through 2004 over 1,000,000 US jobs were lost as a result of NAFTA, a third of them manufacturing jobs. In Mexico, 1.3 million farm workers lost their jobs in the same period. This has led to a wave of immigrant workers looking for work in the US job market.

We must make major structural changes to NAFTA or repeal it all together and restore those jobs. Reforming unfair trade policies will stimulate job growth on both sides of the border and allow Mexican workers to remain in their motherland. We must make fair trade a priority if we are to rebuild the American middle class.

7) You have called for the abolishment of the IRS and the federal income tax and, instead, implement a national sales tax (called the "Fair Tax"). This proposal is unique in the fact that it has supporters and detractors from all parts of the political spectrum. Tell us a little about how it would work and what makes it a "fair" tax?

Here are 9 facts you may not know about the Fair Tax.

1-The Fair Tax taxes you on what you spend, not on what you earn.

2-The Fair tax allows you to save 100% of your paycheck.

3-H.R. 25 (S. 25) has 55 co-sponsors in the House.

4-It restores individual privacy. The government no longer needs to know where you work, what you are earning, and what you are doing with it.

5- It eliminates the income tax and the IRS.

6- Every American consumer and visiting tourist funds Social Security and Medicare with their purchases.

7- It makes educational tuition a tax-free expenditure of tax-free income.

8- It would save a quarter of a million trees a year that are needed to produce the paper for the IRS compliance and tax forms.

9 - It will create jobs since American companies will return from offshore and overseas.

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For more information on Mike Gravel's campaign, click here.

Nader In 2008?

Telling CNN's Late Edition, "It's really too early to say. ... I'll consider it later in the year," Ralph Nader left the door open for a possible third run for President.

Nader also let it be known he was no fan of Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton. "I don't think she has the fortitude. Actually she's really a panderer and a flatterer. As she goes around the country, you'll see more of that," he said.

Two candidates he did like were longshots Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel, saying "These people have records, not just rhetoric."

Legislative Players, Inaugural Ball Snafus and a Duck Joke

With the 2007 Nevada legislative session set to begin, and it being Super Bowl weekend and all, it would seem only natural for someone to whip out a players guide for Silver State politics. And, on cue, the Las Vegas Review-Journal has.

While predicting it "won't all be 'Kumbayah' and smooth sailing," the paper believes there will be "less fireworks" than in past sessions. The article also picks its "Legislative Standouts" for 2007.

Although the usual subjects made the list (i.e., Bill Raggio, Barbara Buckley, etc.) there were some newcomers, including GOP assemblywoman Heidi Gansert (called "the Republican to whom Buckley has turned for help") and newly-elected Carson City School Board member Joe Enge who "has become the Nevada Policy Research Institute's go-to guy on education matters."

Inaugural Ball Problems

Apparently Governor Jim Gibbons' Reno inaugural ball had a couple of glitches, according to Las Vegas gossip columnist Norm Clarke. Apparently a lack of room, food and drink put a damper on the event for some attendees. Likewise, the introduction walk being routed through the Silver Legacy's kitchen resulted in "the ladies (having) to hold up their ball gowns for fear of getting them dirty from the food and liquid on the floor."

I'm Not That Kind Of Duck

Among other things that occurred at McCormick and Schmick's that fateful night in October was a Sig Rogich-told joke (featuring a duck, a pharmacist and a package of condoms) that apparently had Gibbons, Chrissy Mazzeo and friends in stitches. So much so, a woman spilled her drink on the governor-to-be, according to the waitress who served the party.

Perhaps even funnier was her response to the Vegas detective who asked if she had heard the joke, "Yeah. Yeah ... this won't get in the newspaper too will it?"