Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Onward to Nevada

With the Romney campaign wrapping up Florida with 46% of the vote, and Gingrich touting 46 more states until the convention (even though he's not on the ballot in all 46 states), Nevada will now get to have its say in the 2012 Republican nomination battle this Saturday in caucuses held across the state.

However, the speculation over who wins and who places second should be no mystery to the media, campaigns and voters turning their attention to Nevada.

Combining the unbearable unemployment and foreclosure rates with 11% of the state worshipping the Mormon faith, not to mention Romney's universal name recognition, organization, and 51% majority victory four years ago, the state is likely to back the delegate leader once again in large numbers.

And the runner-up? Likely Ron Paul, who has performed very well in small states and appeals to the libertarian streak of Nevadans, who literally have legalized gambling and prostitution.

Winning Nevada could very well result in Romney becoming the first to reach 100 delegates, or just shy of 10% of delegates needed to clinch the nomination, which would also be very impressive five states in. But another crucial element is that Nevada is the last state where delegates are awarded until Arizona and Michigan in several weeks. The rest are all non-binding events.

But as this race has proven: anything can between in a manner of days, and the votes of Nevadans should be taken seriously as we head into Saturday's caucuses that will be held from dusty small, remote towns to loud, vibrant casinos in beautiful Las Vegas.

What say you?

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