HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT Pahrump supporters of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign pay attention during Monday's Democratic debate in Charleston, S.C. Advertisement

Susan Jones-Davis got involved for a relatively straightforward reason -- she has a van that seats eight.

Earlier this year a friend, Sue Woodall, recruited her to take a crowd from Pahrump to Las Vegas to see presidential candidate and former First Lady Hillary Clinton speak; now she's the captain for Precinct 26 and a determined partisan for the would-be Democratic nominee for the nation's executive office.

Monday afternoon she and husband Jim welcomed a dozen and a half Democrats to their North End home to watch Clinton and those she will face in the 2008 primaries and caucuses conduct a nationally televised debate from Charleston. S.C.

Not ordinarily a get-out-in-front campaigner in the political arena, Jones-Davis said Clinton won her over. "I want her so bad, I'm willing to put my shyness aside," she said.

She said the darkest hours shared by the candidate for former President Bill Clinton had a lot to do with her support. As their marriage and his presidency were put under the stress of the Monica Lewinsky incident and impeachment in the Senate, she said, "She held herself up and still stood by him and their vows. I respect her for standing by her husband."

Hilarie Grey, a campaign communication director, was also on hand, along with regional field director Victoria Ruan and field organizer Tim Laughlin.

Grey said the debate offered the opportunity to get voters together and talk and share concerns. "People are really looking for change," she said as the guests shared a variety of snacks and the big-screen television focused on CNN's Anderson Cooper, who moderated the debate among more than a half-dozen hopefuls.

Admitting that the first-ever caucus in the state early next year will require an educational component, Grey said campaign activists are eager to get going and lay the groundwork.

She added that there is every likelihood that local enthusiasts will have the chance to actually meet and greet their candidate.

"I'd say there's a good chance that she'll be here," she said of Clinton, "and soon."

Grey said the Clinton campaign believes Nevada is emblematic of concerns shared by Far West voters, ranging from its independent (some would say Libertarian) streak to concerns over resources under pressure, the relative strength of organized labor and the question of nuclear storage as epitomized by the Yucca Mountain Project (which Clinton opposes).

Jim Davis, a former gold miner and oilfield worker, said he has consistently voted Republican in the past, but not now, not "after the shambles were in, each year degrading."

He sees Clinton as a strong, sincere woman. "If anyone can handle it, she ought to be able to," he said. He added that even though George W. Bush will be out of office in less than two years, he senses outright fear among many voters.

Bob Parker is a Democrat but admitted he hasn't decided on a candidate quite yet. Aside from an interest in Clinton, he added, "I love (Delaware Sen.) Joe Biden. He's my kind of guy." He also put in a good word for former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards.

Seeing activism on the presidential campaign front this early surprised Parker, but he's enthusiastic about what he sees as a crop of strong candidates. Not only are there some good hopefuls, he joked, but there are likely some good cabinet secretaries among them as well.

Jones-Davis admitted burnout may become a concern, with candidates pounding the trail toward the White House for month after month. When she calls prospective voters, she said, "People say it's a little early."

But not too early for her living room to be packed as the debate unfolds.

Fill the bucket truck event

Valley Electric Association (VEA) invites the community to join in the drive to collect school supplies to be distributed by the Nye County School District. The "Fill the Bucket Truck" event is scheduled for Aug. 11. A VEA bucket truck will be parked in the Wal-Mart parking lot to accept donations of school supplies from 7:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m.

Karen Jackson from K-NYE Radio will broadcast the event live and each person who makes a donation will be given a drawing ticket for a chance to win Power Bill Credits and other fabulous prizes.

In addition, school supplies can be dropped off at either the main lobby of Valley Electric Association, 800 E. Highway 372 or at Kaye's Allstate Insurance, 150 S. Highway 160 (next to Albertson's) for the entire month of August. Any donations at either of these locations will also be eligible for a drawing ticket for Power Bill Credits and other prizes.