While common press people and local pols subsisted on mysterious buffet-line chicken pucks and leftover iceberg lettuce in the debate’s freezing media warehouse, Big Bill Clinton was feasting on “four kinds of steak” specially prepared for him by chef Barry Dakake of the swank N9NE steakhouse. And the food wasn’t just for Bill!

America’s beloved ex-president had about 20 “friends” over at his private Bellagio villa, and they were all so hungry. (Also please note that the Las Vegas Review-Journal gossip columnist proudly sports an eyepatch.) [NORM! Vegas Confidential]

DREAMS COME TRUE:
If you’ve been wondering what the debate maybe would’ve been like if the Highest Court in Nevada hadn’t barred the dangerous Dennis Kucinich from taking part, wonder no more. Democracy Now’s Amy Goodman has made some fantasy-baseball version where Dennis really did take part! [Democracy Now]

That about wraps it up, doesn’t it? If John Edwards’ campaign wasn’t sending furious emails to every reporter on Earth each time Barry or Hillary denied whatever it is they do with the corporates, you’d think these people did Ecstasy and decided to sit around the living room all night, intensely talking about how much they all care about each other. “You’re such an awesome person,” Hillary would say to Barry. “Oh get over here, John,” Barry would say, as they all three embraced. “I just love you guys so much.” Meanwhile, Dennis and Elizabeth have have slipped off to the hot tub …. [Las Vegas Sun]

That was sure worth getting up before dawn and making a five-hour drive to Las Vegas! Thanks, Democrats. Our coverage for the night is just about over, but we’ll have much more Campaign Trail Fun all over Las Vegas on Wednesday, which is basically today. There will be events, and perhaps a rally of some kind! All in the cause of giving Americans a “safety valve” so they can “blow off steam” by voting for pretty much identical elitist candidates. Anyway, here’s a recap of Wonkette’s Tuesday in Nevada, plus more pictures, if you want them. MORE »

Oh, the laughter! They are laughing now. Laugh, clowns, laugh. Ha ha ha ha ha. They are laughing about the WAR IN IRAQ. Welcome to the second grueling hour of this groundbreaking round-table discussion featuring rich, vain psychopaths. MORE »

Here is the scene: There are many, many, many filing tables. About a third of the chairs are occupied. There are flat screen monitors on stands, and they’re all playing this SAME GODDAMNED 5-MINUTE LOOP ABOUT HOW NEVADA IS SO AWESOME IF YOU ARE A MEXICAN WHO MOVED HERE. Or a Cuban. Harry Reid does the intro. I have seen this at least a dozen times and have no doubt I’ll see it another dozen times before the debate finally begins. MORE »

NBC’s appeal to keep Dennis Kucinich out of tonight’s MSNBC debate in Vegas was set for a 4:30 ET hearing in Nevada’s Supreme Court (the majors!). Word should come out shortly whether our favorite hobbit makes the grade or not. Also, Liz “Polaroid” Glover did not go with Ken to Vegas. This is just a leftover from New Hampshire, and THEN THAT’S IT. [The Caucus]

Hooray, we’re here. There are about 500 people protesting for health care outside, and otherwise the Cashman Center is pretty much abandoned. Also, Wonkette’s filing desk is NEXT TO DAILY KOS AND HUFFINGTON POST AND MAYBE AOL … THIS WON’T STAND. We are going to look for some conservatives to sit by, because they’ll likely have much better jokes about the Democrats. Also, better cocaine. Back later; we are parked illegally and the Secret Service is kind of giving weird looks to our dirty old Beetle.

Debate Right On Target [Las Vegas Review Journal]

According to that know-it-all Mark Halperin, tonight’s Demrat debate in Las Vegas will allow each candidate to ask other candidates two questions. And the focus will be on “black and brown” issues, since it’s Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday (which Hillary spent by making out with Lyndon Johnson’s grave). Given these format twists, it looks like Hillary and Barack won’t have to worry about that nasty racial tension anymore. [The Page]

Dennis Kucinich’s lawsuit to get into tonight’s Democratic debate from Vegas actually worked. A judge ordered that NBC must include him in the debate. It makes sense, since he and John Edwards ultimately have the same chances of winning the nomination.

UPDATE: NBC News “will appeal a judge’s ruling rather than include Democratic presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich in a candidates’ debate in Nevada.” So mean! [Las Vegas Now]

Still no nominees, right? Okay then, we’ll continue covering these damned caucuses and primaries. Tomorrow is Michigan’s primary, but it doesn’t really count except for a little bit, but only for the Republicans. (Michigan is always getting in trouble for screwing up the primaries.) And that’s why we’ll be in Nevada tomorrow.

It’s time for the exciting Democrat Debate in Las Vegas — although it’s hard to imagine a debate without charismatic firebrand Bill Richardson. And then the ongoing spectacle of casino-buffet employees learning how to do an Iowa-style caucus, but in casino banquet halls. Live Nevada Coverage from beautiful Las Vegas begins tomorrow afternoon. We’re even going to the debate and the spin room and all, even though we should know better by now.

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