"Obama’s Closing Argument to Nevada Voters"

The Caucus, NY Times political blog:

RENO, Nev. – Senator Barack Obama sharply criticized Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on the eve of the Nevada caucuses, declaring: “The American people don’t want a president whose plans change with the politics of the moment.”

At a rally on the campus of the University of Nevada here, Mr. Obama questioned whether his leading rival was being straightforward with voters. He raised an example of her economic stimulus plan, saying she had followed his lead by adding a tax rebate to jumpstart the economy.

“Senator Clinton has said she is ready to lead from Day 1,” Mr. Obama said. “But it’s important on Day 1 to get it right, whether you’re talking about war or you’re talking about economic proposals.”

As he made his closing argument to Nevada voters, Mr. Obama spent an unusual amount of time dwelling on Mrs. Clinton. He repeatedly invoked her by name, reflecting a sense by some Democrats here – and worry among his own advisers – that she holds an advantage going into the caucuses on Saturday.

“Part of my job in this race is to restore people’s sense that you say what you mean and you mean what you say,” Mr. Obama said. “That’s why I’m running.”

A poll in the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Friday showed that Mrs. Clinton was leading Mr. Obama 41 percent to 32 percent. The poll had a margin of error of 4.5 percentage points.

“I haven’t been thrown off the island yet,” Mr. Obama said.

Barack Obama