From Nov 27 2007: Oh, how different the Nevada presidential caucus in January will be from Iowa and New Hampshire.

This is the first time Nevada has had such a high-profile early caucus, and the country may be in for some surprises.

For example, I hear in other states candidates are fighting for the endorsements of community leaders, ministers and opinion makers. Nevada breeds a different sort.

Take yesterday, when Ron Paul picked up the first endorsement from Nevada to really make national news. Paul was endorsed by Northern Nevada brothel owner Dennis Hof, who likes to be known as “America’s pimp.”

Some television reports about this endorsement were accompanied by footage of one of the brothels Hof owns featuring Sunset Thomas, the adult film legend and Hof’s ex-girlfriend. That must have been shot years ago.

Thomas now lives in Las Vegas, where she “feature dances,” does an Internet radio show and is making plans to film what she says will be her final adult movie. Thomas and Hof have not been on speaking terms for some time. So it’s no surprise to find that Thomas was not pleased at all to be seen on television in any way that implied she was endorsing Paul. In fact, she isn’t even a Republican. Thomas says she endorses Barack Obama.