SNEAK PEEK: Democrats Prep for Vegas Debate

November 14, 2007— -- The Democratic '08ers head West Thursday for an 8:00 pm ET debate which will be televised on what John McCain's campaign manager calls the"Clinton News Network."

Thursday's Dust-Up in the Desert is the first Democratic debate in Nevada this cycle.

But the state's powerful Culinary Union does not expect the Wolf Blitzer-moderated affair to be determinative in its endorsement process.

"We're not going to make an endorsement off of one sound bite in one debate," Pilar Weiss, the Culinary Union's political director, told ABC News.

Weiss says the endorsement of her 60,000-member union, which promises to do phones, mail, and door-to-door for its chosen candidate, will ultimately turn on the candidates' records and "what we have heard in person."

As for the timing of an endorsement, Weiss is non-committal.

She will only say that it will come "after Thanksgiving but before the Nevada caucuses," which are scheduled for Jan. 19.

(Nevada Democratic Party sources think the most likely time is early December).

Here is how Jon Ralston -- the state's David Yepsen -- recently handicapped the union's endorsement from his perch high above the Vegas strip (the 112th floor of The Stratosphere to be exact).

"I think they want to go with the winner, and I think they're going to determine the winner," Ralston told PBS' Judy Woodruff during his Tuesday appearance on PBS' NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.

"The polling here has shown Hillary Clinton well ahead," Ralston added. "However, Barack Obama has been very organized and has made several visits to the Culinary folks to make his case. So I think that that endorsement is still wide open."

Key issues for the Culinary Union include health care, home foreclosures, water resources, the war in Iraq, and the right to organize.

Immediately following the two-hour debate, the Democratic '08ers attend the Clark County Democratic Party's annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner at the Paris Hotel.

Clinton will be joined at the dinner by Rory Reid, the Clark County Commissioner and son of Harry Reid who is backing her candidacy.

The Senate Majority Leader was asked Tuesday if it is fair for his son to be chairing Clinton's Nevada campaign.

"My son is 44 years old," said The Pride of Searchlight, Nev. "It's a little hard for me to order him around."

As for the Republican race, immigration was front and center on Wednesday.

Mike Huckabee got personal with Mitt Romney, suggesting on the Fox News Channel that the former Massachusetts governor would sooner have illegal immigrants "working on his lawn" than going to college.

Rudy Giuliani also got tough with Romney, saying his rival "probably has the worst record on illegal immigration."

For his part, Fred Thompson launched, "No Amnesty," his second Iowa television ad.

Tomorrow's schedule details:

HILLARY CLINTON

-- 8:00 pm ET: Participates in CNN/Nevada Democratic Party Presidential Debate, Las Vegas, NV

--11:00 pm ET: Attends the Clark County Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, Las Vegas, NV

BARACK OBAMA

-- 8:00 pm ET: Participates in CNN/Nevada Democratic Party Presidential Debate, Las Vegas, NV

--11:00 pm ET: Attends the Clark County Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, Las Vegas, NV

MICHELLE OBAMA

--11:45 am ET: Attends event with Clayton County residents, Guttenberg, IA

-- 2:45 pm ET: Attends event with Allamakee County residents, Waukon, IA

--5:40 pm ET: Attends an event with Howard County residents, Cresco, IA

JOHN EDWARDS

-- 8:00 pm ET: Participates in CNN/Nevada Democratic Party Presidential Debate, Las Vegas, NV

--11:00 pm ET: Attends the Clark County Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, Las Vegas, NV

BILL RICHARDSON

-- 8:00 pm ET: Participates in CNN/Nevada Democratic Party Presidential Debate, Las Vegas, NV

--11:00 pm ET: Attends the Clark County Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, Las Vegas, NV

JOE BIDEN

-- 2:30 am ET: Attends a campaign event at the Biden for President Headquarters, Las Vegas, NV

--8:00 pm ET: Participates in the CNN/Nevada Democratic Party Presidential Debate, Las Vegas, NV

--11:00 pm ET: Attends the Clark County Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, Las Vegas, NV

CHRIS DODD

--8:00 pm ET: Participates in the CNN/Nevada Democratic Party Presidential Debate, Las Vegas, NV

--11:00 pm ET: Attends the Clark County Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, Las Vegas, NV

DENNIS KUCINICH

-- 8:00 pm ET: Participates in CNN/Nevada Democratic Party Presidential Debate, Las Vegas, NV

--11:00 pm ET: Attends the Clark County Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, Las Vegas, NV

MIKE GRAVEL

--11:00 pm ET: Attends the Clark County Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, Las Vegas, NV

The Republicans. . .

RUDY GIULIANI

-- 2:30 pm ET: Delivers remarks at a rally, The Villages, FL

MITT ROMNEY

-- 4:30 pm ET: Holds a town hall meeting, Burbank, CA

--5:45 pm ET: Holds media availability, Burbank, CA

JOHN MCCAIN

-- 11:30 am ET: Attends fundraiser (Closed press)

--12:35 pm ET: Holds media availability at the Sheraton Grand, Sacramento, CA

--1:55 pm ET: Holds media availability, San Francisco, CA

--2:30 pm ET: Attends a fundraiser, San Francisco, CA (Closed press)

--7:00 pm ET: Attends fundraiser, Denver, CO (Closed press)

--8:00 pm ET: Attends fundraiser, Denver, CO (Closed press)

FRED THOMPSON

-- 2:00 pm ET: Holds press availability, New York, NY

TOM TANCREDO

-- 5:30 pm ET: Attends reception, Manchester, NH

--7:00 pm ET: Attends house party, Nashua, NH

At the White House. . .

PRESIDENT BUSH and FIRST LADY LAURA BUSH

-- 10:05 a.m. Participate in presentation of the 2007 NationalMedals of Arts and the National Humanities Medals.

POLITICAL STORIES ON ABCNEWS.COM

ABC News' Jake Tapper: "How do we beat the b----?" LINK

ABC News' Teddy Davis: Huckabee Hits Romney on Illegal Lawn Workers LINK

ABC News' Kevin Chupka: Poll: Huckabee at Romney's Heels in Iowa LINK

ABC News' Luis Martinez: More Returning Soldiers Cite Mental Health Issues LINK

ABC News' Jan Simmonds: Giuliani Hits Airwaves with his Version of New York, NY LINK

ABC News' Jan Simmonds: Giuliani Questions Romney's Immigration Credibility LINK

ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf: Ron Paul Takes Baby Steps LINK

ABC News' Jacqueline Klingebiel: Facebook Launches '08 Voter Registration Tool LINK

ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf: Warren Buffett Argues for Taxes at Death LINK