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Obama, Clinton, Edwards Swap Barbs As Caucus Nears

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By NEDRA PICKLER, The Associated Press

Published: January 19, 2008

RENO, Nev. - John Edwards and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton criticized Sen. Barack Obama's praise of former President Reagan - an anathema for many Democrats, particularly union members considered crucial to winning Nevada's Democratic caucuses today.

Obama responded by suggesting that Clinton would be a "president whose plans change with the politics of the moment" as part of one of his most direct critiques of the New York senator yet.

The intensity reflects what polls suggest could be a tight contest today as Nevada plays its most prominent role ever in a presidential nominating campaign.

Nevada was granted a coveted spot right after Iowa and New Hampshire in an attempt to bring more racial and geographic diversity into the selection.

The novelty means there isn't a reliable way to determine who is likely to turn out at caucuses across the state. In addition, nine caucuses are to be held in casinos for the first time to allow shift workers to participate on a busy holiday weekend - making the result even more unpredictable.

Obama got a boost when he won the endorsement of the Culinary Workers Union that represents 60,000 housekeepers, bartenders, waiters and other employees on the Las Vegas Strip. Then a judge dismissed an attempt to eliminate the casino caucus sites. Clinton, however, still holds an edge in most polls.

Edwards questioned Obama's commitment to labor in his final appeal to Nevada voters, a rally with about 100 of his precinct captains in Las Vegas.

"Ronald Reagan, the man who busted unions, the man who did everything in his power to destroy the organized labor movement, the man who created a tax structure that favored the richest Americans against middle class and working families ... we know that Ronald Reagan is not an example of change for a presidential candidate running in the Democratic Party," Edwards said.

Obama told the Reno Gazette-Journal editorial board Monday that "Reagan changed the trajectory of America in a way that Richard Nixon did not and in a way that Bill Clinton did not. He put us on a fundamentally different path because the country was ready for it."

On Friday in Las Vegas, Clinton, responded, "That's not the way I remember the last ten to fifteen years." She said she didn't consider it a better idea to privatize Social Security, eliminate the minimum wage, undercut health benefits, shut down the government or drive the country into debt.

"I think we know what needs to be done in America," she said. "And I think we're ready to do it. I'm ready to lead on Day One."

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