2012 Democratic National Convention

Leila Navidi / Las Vegas Sun

Former President Bill Clinton speaks during a rally at the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012.

Clinton rallies 2,000 in Las Vegas for President Obama

Oct 9, 2012 (4:51 p.m.)

Bill Clinton, who received plaudits for his speech at the Democratic National Convention in September, showed off his oratory skills Tuesday afternoon in Las Vegas at a rally for President Barack Obama. Under a blazing afternoon sun and cloudless sky, approximately 2,000 Obama supporters packed Springs Preserve to hear the former president make his case for a second term for his fellow Democrat.

Berkley finds herself stuck between Obama and Netanyahu

September 16, 2012

By Karoun Demirjian

The spate of protests around the Muslim world over a rough and rudimentary film ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad have overshadowed another mounting international crisis that this week began to put some U.S. lawmakers in an awkward position. Nevada’s Rep. Shelley Berkley falls into that category.
Sure, Vegas could host a political convention, but do we want to?

September 14, 2012

By Karoun Demirjian

As throngs of convention-goers in Florida and North Carolina contended with hurricane warnings, snarled bus transportation and thick air, many found themselves wishing for the same thing: a dry heat. “I was thinking this morning it’s too bad we’re not in Las Vegas,” Obama’s top adviser, Robert Gibbs, said as he made a beeline from the outdoor security gate toward the air conditioning beckoning from Charlotte, N.C.’s Time Warner Cable Arena last week. “It might be 10,000 degrees, but at least it would be dry.”
Democrats go after Mitt Romney for failing to mention veterans in acceptance speech

September 9, 2012

By Karoun Demirjian

Foreign policy wasn’t supposed to matter in this election. But then Mitt Romney neglected to talk about the military or veterans in his acceptance speech. That has opened a new front for Democrats to play offense and reclaim strength on an issue Republicans have considered part of their political fiefdom for decades.
Political parties start building their farm teams

September 9, 2012

By Karoun Demirjian

Political conventions are primarily a vehicle to galvanize the party faithful to get out the vote for their current candidate. But they are also an opportunity to start searching for the party’s future leaders. Eight years ago, the country inadvertently witnessed the birth of a president when Barack Obama spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Boston. Now, Democrats are holding open auditions for his heir apparent.
Delegates don’t run the convention show

September 9, 2012

By Anjeanette Damon

Nevada’s delegates to both the Republican and Democratic national conventions had some hope they could influence the proceedings.
Could Obama re-election break D.C. gridlock?

September 7, 2012

By Karoun Demirjian

“Yes, our path is harder,” President Barack Obama said in addressing the country Thursday. “But it leads to a better place.” That, in a nutshell, was Obama’s pitch for his second term.
Reactions to the speech: Prominent Southern Nevadans sound off

September 7, 2012

Las Vegas Sun

President Barack Obama gave his Democratic National Convention speech on Thursday night, and we asked a few influential Southern Nevadans to share their initial impressions. Here is what they had to say.
When they aren’t tripping over their own gaffes, running mates offer vibrant pitches for their tickets

September 7, 2012

By Karoun Demirjian

No surrogate has a more important voice in vouching for the potential next president than the person the candidate has chosen to share his ticket.
Asking for second term, Obama says nation will recover

September 6, 2012

David Espo and Robert Furlow, Associated Press

His re-election in doubt, President Barack Obama conceded only halting progress Thursday night toward fixing the nation's stubborn economic woes, but vowed, "Our problems can be solved, our challenges can be met."
Nevada almost misses its turn in the roll call spotlight at Democratic convention

September 6, 2012

By Karoun Demirjian

Rep. Shelley Berkley announces Nevada's 43 delegation votes for Barack Obama.
Obama wants four more years, but what will he do with them?

September 6, 2012

By Karoun Demirjian

Barack Obama will ask the country tonight to give him four more years as president. It will also be his opportunity to disclose just exactly what he wants to do during a second term.
Berkley urged pro-Israel change in Democratic platform, opening rift

September 5, 2012

By Karoun Demirjian

Nevada Rep. Shelley Berkley found out at an American Israel Public Affairs Committee breakfast this morning that the Democratic platform didn’t include a nod to Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel and immediately sprung into action.
Clinton boosts Obama in rousing convention speech

September 5, 2012

David Espo, Associated Press

In an impassioned speech that rocked the Democratic National Convention, former President Bill Clinton proclaimed Wednesday night, "I know we're coming back" from the worst economic mess in generations and appealed to hard-pressed Americans to stick with Barack Obama for a second term in the White House.
Nevada delegates call DNC’s marriage equality platform historic

September 5, 2012

By Karoun Demirjian

The Democrats made a number of changes to their party platform Tuesday night. But likely none was as historic – or emotional – as the party’s new position on marriage equality.