Spin Cycle

A federal court in Las Vegas has thrown out the attempt by some Clinton supporters to block special caucus sites on the Strip that should help members of the big union that endorsed Obama last week participate in caucuses.

It's a win in pragmatic terms for the Obama campaign -- if casino workers follow their Culinary Workers union, more will turn out and vote for Obama -- and may have extra benefits. One pro-Obama group has a radio ad accusing the Clinton campaign of backing voter suppression tactics -- never popular among rank-and-file Democrats. And some reports say the Culinary Workers union is portraying it as an anti-Hispanic, anti-minority tactic -- which could hurt Clinton among crucial voting blocs in Nevada and beyond, at a time when she's already on the defensive on race.

The Clinton campaign says it had nothing to do with the suit, but Bill Clinton complained about the special casino caucus sites in a testy interview yesterday, and has tried to cast Hillary as an "insurgent" against the union "establishment." Also. the teachers union and politicians that filed the suit have ties to the Clintons.

One more piece of this puzzle -- here's a blog that suggests the Clintons' strong financial ties to the real Las Vegas establishment of wealthy casino owners has put them on the wrong side of a labor-management divide:

"The unions who represent casino employees are for Obama, whereas the bosses largely support Clinton. According to data at OpenSecrets.org, Clinton has raised 3 times as much money from gambling interests as Obama – including donations from C.E.O.’s of Nevada’s 3 largest casinos. Las Vegas Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, who endorsed Clinton last week, is the former Vice President of Sands Casino – and served as chair of the Nevada Hotel and Motel Association.

"Last November, the Clinton campaign launched its Nevada Business Leadership Council led by Jan Jones – a former Las Vegas Mayor and a current top executive and lobbyist for Harrah’s Entertainment. Prominent supporters also included Phil Satre, former chairman and CEO of Harrah's, Vegas.com CEO Howard Lefkowitz, Henry Terry of Playlv Gaming Operations, and Punam Mather, a Senior Vice President at the casino-owning MGM Mirage Corp."