RENO'S HOT AIR BALLOON RACES LOSING SPONSERS; NEVADA'S ECONOMIC SITUATION CONTINUES DOWNWARD SLIDE

The largest free hot air balloon festival in the United States is held in Reno, Nevada each year. This year, however, the festival has more balloon pilots than sponsors, sending the city scrambling to find more sponsors in order to keep the event airborne.

The economic downturn in Nevada is taking its toll on the balloon festival, just as it's taken its toll on Reno's largest annual community event, Hot August Nights. From the Reno Gazette:

"With the loss of about $35,000 in major sponsorship money, the Great Reno Balloon Race is pushing for more, but less expensive, corporate sponsorships.

"The popular September event lost the $35,000 with the defection of three major sponsors. The commitment of each exceeded $10,000, event organizers said."

Apparently, people are still taking Obama's admonishment seriously and staying away from cities like Las Vegas and Reno. Although Obama didn't mention Reno by name, it goes without saying that a corporation isn't going to cancel its convention in Vegas, move it to Reno and not expect blow back from the White House. And to make matters worse, Harry Reid stood by without muttering a word in defense of his state.

In November, Nevada voters will be looking closely at their ballots, especially the U.S. Senate race between Harry Reid and Sharron Angle. My money's on Angle, and I'll be taking full odds.