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Opinion
Mar. 06, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Thanks for the memories, Nevada

By CHRIS DODD
SPECIAL TO THE REVIEW-JOURNAL

"Neh-vaa-dah."

In retrospect, it was perhaps one of the high points of our campaign in the Silver State, correcting George Stephanopoulos when he mispronounced the state's name in a forum way back in March of last year.

Getting the pronunciation right didn't help my campaign for the Democratic nomination for president make it all the way to the Nevada caucuses, but I like to think that I made the most of the short time we had in Nevada, a state where I have long had many friends, from Dick and Bonnie Bryan, to state Sen. John Lee, to high school friend Bill Thomas, to Rusty McAllister of the firefighters union, and many others. And I left with many more, from the voters who poked and prodded, to the county officials who understood we had a responsibility to their communities, to the reporters who wanted to know what this white-haired senator from Connecticut was doing out West -- and did I understand water issues?

I want to thank Nevada for it all.

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    • I recall a town hall meeting in Pahrump, where folks ventured out on a Friday night last April to hear what I'm told was the first presidential candidate to visit the town -- a town that didn't even have telephone service until the 1960s or a high school until 1974. It was a nice moment some weeks later to mention my visit to Pahrump on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien."

    I think of that wonderful meeting with leaders in the Hispanic community at the Lindo Michoacan Mexican restaurant in Las Vegas. I've cared deeply about Latin American issues for decades, ever since I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic. It was a special opportunity to speak Spanish and ask how a presidential candidate from Connecticut could help Nevada families fulfill their hopes and dreams.

    I really enjoyed joining with the UNLV Democrats at their car wash in Henderson, complete with a special guest appearance by a student dressed as Marilyn Monroe. Who said young voters wouldn't turn out?

    Very early in the campaign, I had a conversation with a woman I sat next to on a flight from Las Vegas to Reno. It was a wonderful talk. But as the plane was landing in Reno, she told me something that has stayed with me ever since: "Senator, what you don't understand is that America's best days aren't ahead of us -- they're behind us."

    What she said made me angry -- not because I disagreed with it, and not because she believed it. Rather, what upset me most was that I knew this woman was not alone in her pessimism, that countless other Americans felt the same way about America's future.

    Restoring America's optimism and confidence was why, in spite of the very long odds, I entered the presidential race. America faces strong challenges: the war in Iraq, a moral authority in tatters, and an economy on the brink of recession in large part because of a national housing crisis, which is also harming Nevada families. The remarkable and unprecedented number of people participating in this presidential election shows just how determined Americans are to bring change -- and better days -- to our country.

    I remember a beautiful afternoon in a park with Carson and Douglas County Democrats, as a young woman, just back from the Peace Corps, spoke of the optimism she had for our future -- that sense of possibility that infused her outlook on life and the difference each of us can make. That was the kind of optimism driving my campaign. I feel privileged to have been a part of the 2008 presidential election.

    So thank you -- and all of the new friends and gracious hosts who made our time in Nevada so rewarding. Whatever our differences, Nevadans reminded me that what Americans share with one another counts for so much more. On behalf of Jackie, the girls, and myself, we will never forget you.

    Chris Dodd is Democratic U.S. senator from Connecticut.

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    marjorie hendersen wrote on March 12, 2008 01:11 AM: Nevada has been my home state since I WAS 5 AND NOW I AM 81-ALWAYS a Democrat,and HILLARY will be President--However my main comment is that I cannot understand WHY the Mothers and all women of families are not up in protest as to the negligence/breach of duty and hazards to citizens, in the use of Medical equiptment in Nevada( it has to be other states also)there should be demonstrations in the streets-the Unbelievable COMPLACENT-REACTIONS- OF CITIZENS--the News Media--SHAME---


    Jerry Wayne wrote on March 06, 2008 03:08 PM: Mad American, class is something your learn from your parents and other role models. You are not born with it.


    Joe C wrote on March 06, 2008 01:07 PM: The fact is Dodd is still pandering to one group because of expected population growth much from illegal immigration. Very telling that they will be rewarded for breaking numerous laws with citizenship.

    As far as caring about Latin America, the one biggest complaint from Mexico and Latin America is the U.S. didn’t invest much interest.
    So for all the years Dodd served as an elected official until the Hispanic community became voting force and questionable how many legal votes; Dodd only now seems very vocal to one community leaving out the Black, Asian, etc.

    I guess when pandering for votes a sale a sale even when there are questionable criminal or moral behaviors being rewarded.

    I think it’s great he disingenuously cares about someone, the same way he cared about the great trade agreements congress passed.

    As Dodd thanks Nevada for the memories we can thank him congress and Bush for the memories of a once great country.
    The woman was completely correct and Dodd's a phony.


    Fafner wrote on March 06, 2008 11:12 AM: "I loved meeting with Mexicans, because I once volunteered in the Dominican Republic?"
    The actual quote is:
    "I've cared deeply about Latin American issues for decades, *ever since* I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic" (emphasis added)
    Learn to read, please.


    Tom, Burbank wrote on March 06, 2008 09:54 AM: Don't be fooled, Nevadans, Chris Dud is simply planting the seeds for more votes next time. He's a politician, so what and why he says anything is always suspect. Did he write a letter to newspapers in all the states in which he campaigned? This love letter is listed as "special to the Review-Journal." Whatever. And as much as some have jumped on Greg for his comments and the fact that he's not a Senator (there are only 100 in the entire country, and based on where we are as a nation and their approval ratings I wouldn't consider membership in that out-of-touch group as some wonderful point of pride), at least he understands the Dems compartmentalize people into little boxes based on skin color and other traits completely beyond their control instead of looking at them as individual beings with some sense of self-determination. Candidates, campaign to us as Americans instead of debasing yourselves by stooping to that divisive cafeteria style campaigning. It's demeaning to you and the groups you preen before. Good luck, Chris Dodd, you'll need it in '12.


    greg is an idiot wrote on March 06, 2008 09:31 AM: Hey Greg whos the idiot? The man is a U.S. Senator and you are writing comments on the RJ website... Seems like he is doing just a "bit" better than you are.


    to Greg wrote on March 06, 2008 08:48 AM: You're an idiot. Sen. Dodd said he enjoyed meeting members of the Latin American community. He didn't say he enjoyed meeting Mexicans. You do understand Dominican Republic is part of Latin America or is that too difficult a concept for you? I guess you think everyone who speaks Spanish is from Mexico.


    Mad American wrote on March 06, 2008 08:04 AM: I was not a supporter of Sen. Dodd but I have new admiration for him after his letter to Nevada. Class is something one is born with and rarely is able to develop. Sen. Dodd has class - and that dying art - manners. He not only took great pains to learn about Nevada and our unique concerns - but he had the class to write a letter thanking the Silver State. And he pronounces our state correctly!!!! Thank you, Senator, for participating in the presidential election. Nevada wishes you well and welcomes you back any time you wish to visit.


    Greg McFarlane wrote on March 06, 2008 07:46 AM: I loved meeting with Mexicans, because I once volunteered in the Dominican Republic?

    Yes, because all those dark-skinned Spanish-speaking people are pretty much interchangeable. Wow. Yet it's the Republicans who are branded as the party of racists.


    Russ wrote on March 06, 2008 07:46 AM: rb, it is amazing how low a Republican right wing idiot will go to find a way to bash a Democrat. Look at whos in the white house and apologize to the world, please.


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