In the year 2000 Bush beat Gore in Nevada by 31, 597 votes. Registered Republicans outnumbered registered Democrats by 1,307.

 

In 2004 Bush beat Kerry by 21,500 votes.  Registered Republicans outnumbered registered Democrats by 4,431.

 

As of August 2008 the Nevada Secretary of State reports that registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by 61,705 voters.

 

According to an Obama campaign worker who is helping to coordinate the voter registration drive in North Las Vegas, there are approximately 300,000 Nevadans who are eligible to vote but are not registered.  The Obama campaign has been actively registering voters the last few weekends, but need to register as many as possible before registration closes on October 4

 

Nevada is a voter friendly state.  We have early voting from October 18 until October 31.  The electronic touch screen voting machines (with paper trail backup) are moved to local grocery stores to make it easy and accessible for voters.

 

What does all of this mean?  Essentially it means that winning or losing Nevada is entirely in our hands.   If we register enough new Obama voters and get them to the polls, we will win.  It is that simple.

 

But, simple does not mean easy.  Many of these unregistered voters are not easy to find.  They are hidden in the poor neighborhoods, mingled with families who are here illegally, to busy working two or more jobs to register, or just need to be convinced that voting is important.

 

And just because they register does not mean that they will vote.  Take for example a lady I registered today in a public housing project.  She is 76, a widow, and in a wheelchair with diabetes.  She will need someone to take her to vote. 

 

Will we be there?  Does the fate of our country depend on helping these people get registered and to the polls?   It just might.

 

So, if you live in a nearby state that is safely going blue or red, why not come to Vegas?   You can enjoy a show or play some Texas holdem at night and save the republic in the day.  Yes you can.