Opinion: Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich just can’t get respect
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LAS VEGAS -- As our colleague and Las Vegas Bureau chief Ashley Powers points out, you’re nobody in Vegas until you get used in a promotion.
The Las Vegas Motor Speedway says it will refund the purchase price for the first customers each day with presidential surnames who buy passes to its Neon Garage zone for the Nascar weekend coming at at the end of February.
But like debate sponsors, they have a cutoff point. If your last name is Clinton, Edwards, Obama, Giuliani, Huckabee, McCain, Romney or Thompson, you’re eligible. If you’re a Kucinich or a Paul, forget about it.
But at least Dennis Kucinich got a mention in the release. Ron Paul‘s name was nowhere to be found.
‘We gave strong consideration to anyone named 0Kucinich,’ said Chris Powell, the track’s general manager. ‘But the poor showing of Dennis Kucinich in both Iowa and New Hampshire simply made that impossible.’
The Neon Garage is billed as an entertainment center at the track, giving fans access to drivers and racing teams and the occasional celebrity. The promotion ends with the caucuses on Saturday
Oh, and the candidates themselves can get the refund just for showing up. Couldn’t hurt to do it -- especially for those trying to campaign in South Carolina too.
-- Scott Martelle
