Nevada Democrats eager for convention - FOX5 Vegas - KVVU
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As the final touches are put on the Democratic National Convention site in Charlotte, NC, Democrats are answering the age old political question: Are we better off than four years ago?
Their answer is not a simple yes or no, but a work in progress.
"There's a bit of tension here in our whole country," said Maryland Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley. "There are many of us that would like to pull the covers over our heads and think we're individuals and not part of the larger nation. But in fact we are and we move forward together."
Nevada is considered a key swing state, and a big turnout will have major impact on Senate, congressional and local legislative races.
While Nevada Republicans, outside of Governor Brian Sandoval, steered clear of the convention, local Democrats are right in the thick of it.
"The Democrats in Nevada, I think, have said Barack Obama is our president," said FOX5 political analyst Mitch Fox. "We're not running away from him. On the other hand, we're giving him passionate endorsements and his future is tied to our future."
For state and local races, the work isn't to just ride the coattails of the president. It's going after non-straight ticket voters who might vote Mitt Romney for president but might vote Democrat elsewhere.
"I've always been under the belief that the swing voters percentage is probably a lot less than people think and they're just not being candid about their preference," Fox said. "But I think most people have made up their minds."
Rep. Shelley Berkley, in a heated race with Dean Heller for U.S. Senate, will get the spotlight by announcing Nevada's delegates from the floor of the convention.
Sen. Harry Reid will speak at the convention Tuesday night ahead of first lady Michelle Obama.
The president will accept the nomination and make his speech Thursday night from the outdoor football stadium in Charlotte.
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