Election may show waning rural influence in Nev.

Many attribute Barack Obama's victory in Nevada to his ability to narrow the gap in the rural vote by 14 percent. But election analysis shows that Nevada's urban vote went so heavily in favor of Obama that he would have won the state without his rural support. This occurrence has many wondering if the rural vote's influence in Nevada is waning.

"Democratic gains in Nevada’s urban areas overwhelmed the rural vote," writes Alexandra Berzon of the Las Vegas Sun. "Nearly 9,000 more ballots were cast in rural counties than in the previous presidential election, but the rural vote dropped nearly one point as a percentage of the state’s electorate."

Republicans are alarmed. Reece Keener, Republican chairman in Elko, told Berzon, "We used to really be able to leverage things in rural Nevada — just the sheer numbers there. ... We’ll still see Republicans campaigning here because we’ll continue to be an important source of votes. But we just don’t have the pull that we once did."

But many see this election as unique. They point out that the urban vote in future elections is unlikely to go entirely for one candidate, which would increase the importance of rural votes in the state. University of Nevada-Reno political-science professor Erik Herzik put it this way: "In 2010 will the George Bush-factor be around? Will the Obama charisma factor be around? Will all these new voters be around? If you’re answering no to any of those questions, you’re going to need every vote you can get."(Read more)