'08 Democratic hopefuls storm into Nevada

Now that the Democratic Party has chosen Nevada to join Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina among the list of early 2008 primary destinations, potential 2008 candidates and their staffs are already schmoozing with local candidates in that state.  As The Hotline blog explains, within the last month and a half there has been a flurry of preparation among the 2008 Democratic contenders to familiarize themselves with the political terrain:

We can't find this online, but... '08 Dem hopefuls "are scrambling" toschedule appearances in NV and the NV Dem party is "hitting the gas" inan attempt to keep up with the "fast-track campaigning" of possiblecontenders. Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), Ex-Sen. John Edwards (D-NC), Gov. Bill Richardson(D-NM) and Ex-VA Gov. Mark Warner are among those planning trips.Warner staff Jonathan Epstein "has already made the rounds here" andSen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) "has a trioi of staffers" working for NV candidates in the fall. Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) knows of at least "three other paid staff" in the state. Clark Co. Commission Chair Rory Reid has been contacted by Warner and Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE). Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman "has received a host of phone calls." And Dem GOV candidate Dina Titus has spoken with several candidates, including Sen. Hillary Clinton. Longtime Dem political consultant Don Hart"has been contacted by Biden and Warner."

Hotline blog adds that Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) believes Nevada is a much better place to have an early primary because it is a ideal representation of mainstream America in comparison to Iowa and New Hampshire:

Reid "is not " concilliatorytoward NH. Reid: "Why should this country's future be determined by astate like Iowa where there is no diversity and a state like NewHampshire where there is no diversity and no people?"

I have never been to New Hampshire or Iowa, so I can only go on statistics.  I have, however, gone to Nevada on almost a dozen occasions.  Harry Reid represents a very diverse state as far as income and ethnicity.  Right now, Nevada is one of the fastest growing states in the country.  Keep in mind that in 2004 President Bush won 97 of the 100 fastest growing counties in the country.  Nevada, therefore, might be a great place to have an early primary.