Nevada delegates ready for race.(news)

Publication: Las Vegas Review-Journal (Las Vegas, NV)

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COPYRIGHT 2004 Las Vegas Review-Journal

BYLINE: ERIN NEFF, REVIEW-JOURNAL

BOSTON -- When Nevada delegates look out the windows from their hotel they can see the yellow-and-blue finish line of this city's famed marathon.

That wide stripe has meaning these Democrats can bring back from Massachusetts as they consider the 13 weeks until the Nov. 2 election to be more of a marathon than a sprint. And it was their role in the Democratic National Convention that gives them hope John Kerry will cross the tape first in the Silver State.

Kerry's acceptance speech Thursday night in a festive FleetCenter helped set that very stage.

"It's everything we stand for as Democrats," said Adriana Martinez, state party chairwoman, whose eyes teared with joy as balloons and confetti filled the arena. "America and Nevada now know what he wants for America. They can't say they don't know John Kerry anymore.

"If they watched they know everything they need to vote for him," she added.

Kerry's speech included sharp criticism of President Bush's foreign and domestic policies and offered ideas the Democratic candidate said could send the country in a better direction.

"Saying there are weapons...

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