Chris Dodd

This is obvious, but still noteworthy: the last time the Democratic presidential candidates were in Nevada for a nationally televised debate was in November -- a virtual circus that included seven presidential candidates. Now, as the Democrats return to Las Vegas on Tuesday for their final debate before the January 19 caucus, just three candidates will participate: Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Obama.

Chris Dodd’s Nevada campaign office has closed, according to his state campaign chairman, State Sen. John Lee (D-Clark). Lee told PolitickerNV.com that reports of the headquarters closing were inaccurate, but today clarified his statement to be consistent with comments from Dodd’s national campaign spokesperson.

“My interpretation of that was that we weren’t here, involved,” said Lee. “You’re right, we don’t have that physical address [anymore]. We go to [Dodd Senior Advisor] Dave Thomas’ law firm and we have our meetings there. He’s Dodd’s guy who works back and forth with the senator and the team and everything. He’s a political consultant.”

Sen. Hillary Clinton speaks to Clark County Democrats at annual Jefferson-Jackson dinnerMore than 2,000 Democrats helped raise an estimated $300,000 for Clark County Democrats at a post-debate Jefferson-Jackson dinner at the Paris Hotel that attracted eight Democratic presidential candidates.

Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean took advantage of the partisan audience – still pumped with excitement from the nationally-televised presidential debate at UNLV – to take a few shots at the Republican field for their lack of diversity.

“When you look at our candidates,” said Dean. “We look like America. The Republicans look like America in the 1950s. They are the party that is looking backwards; we’re the party that is looking forwards. And when they open their mouths, they sound like they’re from the 1850s.”

Democratic presidential candidate Chris Dodd has closed his Nevada state campaign office: Getty Images Photo
Five hours before the Democratic presidential candidates meet to debate in Las Vegas, Sen. Chris Dodd’s campaign staff has acknowledged that he has closed his Nevada campaign office.

“We have staff in Nevada and active supporters, we just don’t have an office in Nevada at this time,” said Colleen Flanagan, Dodd’s national press secretary.

A CNN/Opinion Research Poll of likely Nevada caucus-goers released yesterday shows Dodd barely registering at half of one percent, trailing Congressman Dennis Kucinich and even former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel.

Sen. Clinton's HQ on Tropicana Ave.As part of our effort to bring you the most complete pre-debate and pre-convention coverage possible, PolitickerNV.com is visiting the Democratic presidential candidates’ campaign headquarters in Las Vegas today to give you an inside peak. 

Here’s what we found as well as a summary of each campaign’s organization here in Nevada.

On the eve of a national Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas, a CNN/Opinion Research poll of Nevada Democratic caucus-goers shows Hillary Clinton over the magic 50% mark for the early January 19 caucus in the Silver State. Clinton leads Barack Obama by a 51%-23% margin, with John Edwards at 11%.

The other Democratic candidates are still polling in single digits: Bill Richardson (5%), Joe Biden (4%), and Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich (1%). Christopher Dodd has less than 1% of the vote in the poll released earlier today.

"Clinton's advantage among Democratic caucus-goers appears to be based on the perception that she is the most electable candidate and the strongest leader in the field," said Keating Holland, the CNN Polling Director.