Las Vegas, Nevada - House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi was scheduled to give the keynote address at the United Steelworkers Convention in Las Vegas on Monday, but it turned out to be more of a stump speech for President Obama.

"We have to consider the successes we had in the first four years when (the Democrats) had the (House) majority, especially when President Barack Obama became President of the United States and what a great President he is," said the former Speaker of the House.

Pelosi's speech to a crowd of union workers at the MGM Grand Convention Center was similar to Vice President Biden's address at the Teamsters convention in Vegas a little over a month ago, stating that the Democrats stood in sharp contrast to what she terms as the "anti-worker agenda" of the GOP.

"For months in Ohio, Wisconsin, and states nationwide, Americans have seen Republican governors and legislators attack teachers and public servants," said Pelosi. "We've seen workers, union and non-union alike, inspire the nation to fight back." (read more)

What do furniture trade shows and the debt bill have in common? Not much, really. But if a certain former United States President is the keynote speaker at the event, the hot button topic will undoubtedly receive some attention.

"The Democrats are proud and the Republicans are relieved for the next election that they did this," said former President Bill Clinton during a question and answer session following his keynote address at the annual Las Vegas World Market furniture trade show on August 2. "They didn't do anything to Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security. Well that's a good thing if you want to stabilize the incomes of retired people. But what does that mean?"

And from there, the former U.S. President went on to say what he felt potential spending cuts could do to the country.

"They're gonna halfway gut all the domestic spending, which is the quality of life and the future of the country. How much do you really want them to cut air traffic control? Or safe food or clean air? Or research and development that will generate the jobs of the 21st century?"

President Clinton expressed his concern about the growing debt and claimed that before 1981, the country "never, ever, ever ran a substantial, deliberate annual deficit." (read more)

Vice President Joe Biden acknowledged it wasn't a political event, but it still didn't prevent him from sending this warning to Teamsters union members during his address at their annual convention in Las Vegas this past Friday.

"And don't any of you, by the way, any of you guys vote Republican," Biden said. "I'm not supposed to say, this isn't political. ...don't come to me if you do! You're on your own, Jack!"

Biden provided the closing address at the 28th Annual International Brotherhood of Teamsters Convention at the Paris Hotel on Friday. The Vice President, who is known for his straightforward style, didn't hide his feelings about the current labor union fights across the country. He believes they are under attack by his Republican rivals for no apparent reason.

"Look at Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, Florida, Pennsylvania. Did you ever think in 2011 you would be fighting for the right to work for less again?," said Biden. "What in God's name did any organized labor union do to the collapse of this economy? ... [I]t's bizarre, but that's the case they're making."

Republican governors in several states have sought to curb Union power in an effort to balance their state's budgets. (read more)

So Rep. Joe Heck, do you still think social security is a "pyramid scheme?"

It's a question the freshman Republican congressman from Nevada and his communications team desperately tried to avoid Wednesday night during a town hall meeting that was meant only to discuss veterans' Affairs issues in Henderson, Nevada.

The question didn't come immediately, but one veteran in attendance questioned Heck's support of the entitlement program altogether.

"I just want to know, where do you stand on protecting our benefits as far as social security, for those who will need it and those who are getting it now, and Medicare, sir?" asked the veteran, who served 14 years in the Air Force.

"The fact is, I'm committed to preserving both benefits," said the Nevada lawmaker. "But for future generations, there may need to be changes for long-term sustainability." (read more)

LAS VEGAS -- For international travelers frustrated by lengthy airport security screenings and customs declarations, Homeland Security Chief Janet Napolitano says she has just the fix.

"(Trusted traveler) programs like Global Entry make a significant difference," Napolitano said during a speech to travel industry leaders in Las Vegas Thursday. "The average time at a kiosk is less than one minute."

The programs work by allowing pre-approved, "low risk" travelers to deal with machines instead of people. Global Entry, for example, is a kiosk that scans a passport, verifies the traveler's identify with a fingerprint, asks the person to make a customs declaration and then prints out a receipt allowing the traveler to jump to baggage claim. Travelers pay a fee for access to the self-service kiosks, which are currently at about 20 airports.

Napolitano said programs like these help spur economic growth, while cutting frustrating wait times. "By providing the greatest possible security as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible, we think we can best facilitate the flow of legal travel, trade, and tourism." (read more)

Ron Paul spoke in Nevada for the second time in as many months, but this time around he did so as a 2012 GOP presidential candidate. The event took place at the Silverton Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, just 24 hours after Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney raised more than $10 million during a phone bank fundraiser at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

"It looks to me like the revolution is alive and well," said Paul as he took the podium with the crowd giving him a standing ovation. "And it's growing too!"

During his first official trip as a presidential candidate, Paul mainly spoke about the importance of a free-market economy, property rights, the government's encroachment on civil liberties, and most importantly, freedom.

"If I am the president, all I want do is release you from the burden of government," said Paul.

He also didn't hold back when it came to how he viewed the role of the Federal Reserve, who he feels is the most responsible for the economic crisis the country faces today. (read more)