Nevada's dead heat Senate race converged in the state capital Saturday as Harry Reid and Sharron Angle celebrated the birthday of Nevada's statehood, shaking hands, serving flapjacks, petting dogs and posing for pictures in an effort to sway last minute votes.
Angle donned a white apron before the sun rose to dish up pancakes at a crowded Republican Women's breakfast held at the Governor's Mansion.
As a line of diners shuffled past, Angle, 61, said she was "cautiously optimistic" she will beat the Democratic majority leader in Tuesday's election.
"It's all about meeting the voters now," she said. The former state assemblywoman did a lot of that, walking the two-mile long parade route not once, but twice.
The Democratic majority leader, meanwhile, strolled the back streets before the festivities began, talking to entrants as they assembled. He watched the parade from along Carson City's main drag.
Polls have consistently shown the race too close to call.
Speaking with reporters, Reid said he understands voter frustration and anger in a state that leads the nation in joblessness, foreclosures and bankruptcies.
"I've never seen the economy the way it is either," Reid said. "It's a very difficult time for people.
"For 20 years we were at the top of the economic food chain," he said of Nevada. "But I didn't create the economic problems. If that's the case, I should get credit for the 26 years it was good."
Bill Elliott, a 44-year-old emergency manager, greeted Reid with a handshake. His mother and Reid were classmates at Basic High School.
"I think the economy was going down hill" before Democrats took control, Elliott said. "Frankly, I think it was Republican policies that created the situation we're in now."
Independent voters - there are 175,000 in Nevada - will be key to the outcome on Election Day. Democrats hold a 60,000 registration lead in Nevada over the GOP.
Down the street, Primo Quarisa, a Navy veteran, snarled when asked if he supported Reid after the senator stopped to chat with a group near a submarine float.
"I can't stand the man," he said. "I hope he gets defeated."
Nevada governor candidates Rory Reid and Brian Sandoval both made appearances around Carson on Saturday.