Lawsuit over, Nevada Dems try unity for a change

Las Vegas- Shortly after a federal judge ruled that at-large caucus sites could go forward as planned, Clark County Democratic chairman John Hunt and Nevada Democratic chairwoman Jill Derby issued a joint press release declaring that the party is “unified” in their commitment to turn out Nevadans for the Jan. 19 caucus.

The release was an effort at damage control by the party; to repair a schism between supporters on the one hand of the culinary workers and Ill. Sen. Barack Obama and on the other the Nevada State Education Association and supporters of N.Y. Sen. Hillary Clinton.

“Democrats around Nevada agree,” said Hunt and Derby in the release.  “By participating in the January 19th precinct caucuses, we have an exciting opportunity to change the leadership in the White House and point our country and our world in a better direction.”  

“Some Democrats might have disagreed on the allocation of delegates in this caucus, but this issue is settled and we are unified in our commitment that Nevadans turn out and voice our opinions Saturday to help select our next president.”

While the joint press release was an effort to display party unity, both Derby and Hunt also made individual statements today in which they appeared anything but unified.

Before Derby joined with Hunt on the press release she sent her own in which she pointedly repeated the party’s position and seemed to take some veiled shots at the plaintiffs and their supporters.  Included in her release were statements that “Each of the presidential campaigns was fully informed about the rules on May 2, 2007, and throughout the process” and “allied organizations INCLUDING THE NSEA political director were informed on October 4, 2007 (emphasis in original).”

Earlier, Derby had also pointedly referred to the lawsuit as “a distraction that we didn’t need.”

In another sign that maybe the party isn’t as unified as it would like to project, Hunt made a statement immediately after the judge’s ruling in which he called the lawsuit “a noble cause” and declared that “The whole process of the caucus seems to be unfair.”

While party leaders made an effort at projecting unity, the Obama campaign kept the gloves off, quickly hitting Clinton on the issue of the lawsuit.

“While the Clinton camp clearly believed the voices of workers should be silenced in service of their perceived political interest, they enjoyed a twenty five-point lead two months ago and have much of the party establishment in their camp.  So, despite their inherent advantages we are pleased this should be a close and competitive contest Saturday," said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton.

It remains to be seen whether this schism in the party is truly settled or if it will continue to bear fruit after the presidential campaigns have moved on to South Carolina.  As Judge Mahan said before making his ruling, "I'm not a member of any organized political party.  I'm a Democrat."