Politics
Politics
Organizational Skills
After the caucus, local Republicans need to get their act together—fast
February 16th, 2012
Early February gave both state parties an opportunity to put their organizational skills to the test. The returns are in, and for one party they’re not pretty. Read more »
The Week
Without a Net
February 9th, 2012
If I learned anything from our brush with the national political spotlight last week, it’s that Mitt Romney really, really loves America. He said so repeatedly from a podium set up behind Metro Pizza in Henderson on Feb. 3, right after a couple of songs from a Los Angeles-based guitar strummer who warmed up the crowd with a joke about how lonely it is being a Republican in L.A., and then sang about loving America. Read more »
The Week
A Raucous Caucus
February 2nd, 2012
Then there’s the caucus system itself, which Nevada can’t quite seem to master. In 2008, the Republican contest turned into a chaotic mess of long lines and voter confusion. The Democrats didn’t do any better: Hillary Clinton supporters sued the Democratic Party to prevent caucus meetings at Strip hotels, fearing that the location would be a boost to Barack Obama. This year, things may get even weirder. Read more »
Politics
Putting the Squeeze on Community Colleges
February 2nd, 2012
Southern Nevadans complain UNLV receives less money in the budget than it produces for the state. Northern Nevadans say that’s no reason to go changing things. Chancellor Dan Klaich has proposed a new plan to solve these imbalances. But it appears the plan would leave community colleges, such as the one where I teach, scavenging for the big boys’ leftovers. Read more »
Politics
The Strange Logic of the Great American Caucus
January 19th, 2012
If you’re a registered Republican, chances are your phone has jingled or buzzed a few times over your party’s caucus on Feb. 4, and you’re excited or unexcited about a candidate. If you’re a registered Democrat, you’re wondering why anybody would call you about a caucus on Jan. 21 when you know who your party’s candidate will be. Welcome to Caucusland. Read more »
Politics
Fearful Predictions From a Silver State Seer
January 5th, 2012
It’s hard to predict the past. Seriously. In the history biz, experts and nonexperts constantly find new information or come up with new ways to think about what happened before, so the past is never set in concrete. Predicting the future is easier, especially in Nevada. If I’m wrong, I can always blame it on living in a weird state. But here are some issues and personalities to watch for in 2012. Read more »
Politics
Legislatures and Legitimacy
December 15th, 2011
Nevertheless, the clear and present inadequacy of our current legislative system is a perfect occasion for citizen outcry. If you believe in a full-time Legislature, why not talk about it? There are book clubs, civic groups and other venues to discuss these matters. And—a plug for my day job here—college history and political science classes teach about this kind of stuff! If you’re unhappy or think it’s useless to resist, just remember: America gives you not only a vote, but a voice. Read more »
Politics
Higher Learning, From the Bottom Up
December 1st, 2011
Gov. Brian Sandoval recently told the Nevada Development Authority that the state has had “ups and downs, and peaks and valleys” before and come back from them. He didn’t mention that Nevadans emerged from one depression by finding ore in central Nevada, another through federal largesse (the New Deal and World War II), and in both cases by offering activities—boxing, easy divorce, gambling, prostitution—that others shunned. Read more »
Politics
Primary Definitions
November 17th, 2011
With five Democrats seeking three congressional seats, several are already energetically trying to define their opponents as “liberal” or “conservative.” With friends like these, who needs Republicans? Read more »
Politics
Race, Expectation and Feet of Clay
November 3rd, 2011
Black politicians, though, may suffer from higher expectations: Since African Americans waited and fought for so long for their rights, the presumption may be that they should be better. Each leader is often taken to stand for the hope and promise of an entire race, and the weight of expectation makes for greater disappointment (and, in some corners, schadenfreude) when they fail. Read more »
