The key to victory: Washoe?
Not an hour from some of California’s greatest natural beauty is a city of notable despair. “The Biggest Little City in the World”, also known as Reno, Nevada. According to Wikipedia, Reno is the county seat of Washoe County. Incidentally, this is also the county, according to the a key campaign organizer for Obama, that will decide if Nevada votes red or blue.
As I understand it, there’s Clark County (the greater Las Vegas area), which votes democratic. Washoe County, that could go either way. And then, the rest of Nevada, gun toting and screaming red. In fact, it should be noted that Bill “Bubba” Clinton is the only dem to win the state in 40 freakin’ years.
Reno is basically a casino town. The birthplace of the gaming giant, Harrah’s Entertainment. Which was my hospitality this weekend and resting place for more 80+ year old smokers then I’ve ever seen (oxygen tanks and all). But the gaming scene is really just for the tourist. The voter action is in the hoods.
That’s where I spent the weekend knocking on doors for Obama (you should consider it too). From the single family homes in Kings Row, to the undeniably marginal Reno Vista apartments. I met and spoke to a lot of people from all walks of life. And, I have to say, I’m feeling pretty bullish on Washoe. I conversed with dozens of enthusiastic supporters, including three registered Republicans pledging support for Obama and two convicted felons that said IF they could, they’d vote for Barack.
So, while the city signage above clearly indicates the restriction of bringing wild Muskox to your next corporate retreat, I’d still pencil Nevada in for change.
Gd.
Nice Work, GD!
much respect-
Comment by cocomotion | 10.7.2008 | 9:13 am
It was actually affirming and entertaining. So much better then getting frustrated by media coverage or listening to the defeatist doom and gloom.
Comment by Gd. | 10.7.2008 | 10:03 am
Going out on a limb here… and I know this isn’t constructive. It’s probably the defeatist stuff you’re talking about.
:-]
I haven’t constructed any specific critical thoughts about the American political system, although maybe I should try. It’s well intended. What turns my stomach and absolutely makes me sick are the professional politicians. Even the ones I’m supposed to like. By definition, they all suck in my humble opinion. When I see the T-Shirts and buttons, it’s like the Lance Armstrong bracelets. Hey, if you or a loved one is battling cancer and you’re down with fighting cancer… word! I get it. But, you do know that Lance is a dirty cheat. You do know that right? With politics I totally get that there is critically important stuff at stake like stopping a stupid fucking WAR! Or, realizing a dream of equality that reaches all the way to the white house. But, we know that professional politicians fundamentally suck, right? They are actors. There’s a big budget calculated ‘branding’ effort behind all of them. This isn’t the small farm sustainable organic food we’re buying here, this is the heavily processed, high sugar, high fat, high sodium stuff. These aren’t the eclectic indy tracks at Amoeba records. These are the highly produced lowest common denominator pop tracks. We all do know that, right?
I should feel fired up about Obama. He’s inline with so much of what I’m about. But the whole scene just makes me ill. The big political campaigns remind me of going to In-N-Out Burger and eating the double-double, fries and vanilla shake. It’s a clean place, with squeaky clean kids behind the counter, and the food tastes really really good. I just have to try to forget that it actually makes me feel sick afterwards.
I couldn’t even watch the debates last night. We watched the Hip-Hop Honors instead (which was totally a trip… seeing how old everyone is, WTF?).
Maybe I’m just hopelessly cynical when it comes to politics. I’ll still get out and vote for Obama and hope for the best.
I sincerely hope nothing happens to our man. I fear for him and his family. There are a lot of hate filled folks out there. If anything does, we’ll see the Dow drop like a fucking rock to about 1000 points. Violence break will out, and I’ll be grabbin’ the family for the next plane out of the country.
GD, I support and admire that you chose to participate and try to impact the outcome for what you believe in. That’s far better and more productive than bitching about it like me. Keep it up!
Comment by skinnykahuna | 10.8.2008 | 12:02 pm
A certain elder that you know put it well when he remarked that politicians and police officers should have to be selected into the career by the communities that they represent. Because anyone who would choose either career path voluntarily is already fatally flawed.
That said, don’t let “great” be the enemy of “good”; and in this case, I suspect that Obama is also showing only part of his hand. We will only see what he can really do once he is in fact president.
Comment by admin | 10.8.2008 | 12:49 pm