Nevada Caucuses Open Thread; Update: Romney Wins

By Doug Powers  •  February 4, 2012 04:30 PM

**Written by Doug Powers

So far there seem to be no real surprises in Nevada — especially since three of the four GOP candidates aren’t even currently in the state — but the caucus voting is still going on:

With a huge lead in polls, Republican front-runner Mitt Romney appeared poised for an easy win in Nevada on Saturday that would put him in firm command of the party’s see-sawing presidential nominating race.

A Nevada victory would be Romney’s second win in a row and his third in the first five contests in the state-by-state battle to find a Republican challenger to President Barack Obama in November’s general election.

Two polls taken this week in Nevada showed the former Massachusetts governor with a lead of 20 points or more over top rival Newt Gingrich after recapturing his front-runner status with a convincing win in Florida on Tuesday.

The caucuses began at many of the 125 sites around Nevada on Saturday morning, although final results were not expected until after 7 p.m. PST (0300 Sunday GMT). A final gathering of voters to accommodate Jews observing the Sabbath on Saturday will begin in Las Vegas at that time.

As for the actual voting, early on it appears to be falling in line with most of the polls.

The day hasn’t been without its problems:

Caucus-goers eager to take on their civic duty today were met with chaos and confusion at Green Valley High School in Henderson.

Frustrated voters tell Action News that some in attendance were given “unofficial” ballots. Several people cast their votes on unauthorized pieces of paper and left before the official blue ballots were handed out.

Witnesses were alarmed that their peers’ votes would go uncounted and blamed the caucus leaders for the disorganization.

For a minute there I thought they were going to say the ballots somehow had Harry Reid’s name pre-checked.

After today’s over, upcoming caucuses are Maine, Colorado and Minnesota. Super Tuesday is just over a month away. Who will be left standing?

I’ll post an update later when there are some solid numbers in.

Update: Fox5 has the latest. No surprises here:

The Nevada Republican Party announced the first results of the state’s presidential caucus Saturday, showing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney with the early lead.

Romney scored victories in rural Eureka County, as well as Humboldt, Storey, Churchill and Pershing counties.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich won Mineral County, while Texas Rep. Ron Paul easily won Nye County with 46 percent of the vote and scored a second victory by winning neighboring Esmeralda County.

Also, Business Insider reports that tonight Newt Gingrich will “lay out a delegate-based strategy that will allow him to make good on his promise to stay in the race until the Republican National Convention this summer.”

Update II: This was about as surprising as finding out Harry Reid doesn’t plan to propose a budget this year: ABC calls it for Romney.

The chase for runner-up between Gingrich and Paul is still too close to call. Santorum will finish fourth.

Update III: The latest numbers:

**Written by Doug Powers

Twitter @ThePowersThatBe

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Comments


  1. #101
    On February 5th, 2012 at 5:10 pm, happyscrapper said:

    Oh! Oh! Now re-read my comment and tell me why your new noseholding friend’s question makes any sense!

    The first rule in COMMUNICATION is to first stop and make sure you understand what the other person said. If you are going to attack me, don’t do so because you won’t make the honest effort to understand my point or that you can’t articulate a reasonable response.

    What are you accomplishing by turning Michelle’s conservative blog into a hang-out for Republican myrmidons? Do you even read what she posts?

    My God, PP..what are you even talking about? I can’t follow a thing you just said. You have gone of the tracks! Take your meds and a long nap. You are talking giberish.

  2. #102
    On February 5th, 2012 at 5:13 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On February 5th, 2012 at 4:23 pm, til said:
    Phil, they are not “Republican myrmidons,” they are DNC trolls.
    Only Dr. Paul can beat BO. (i.e. in a legit election)

    PaulWest12

    In case you hadn’t heard, Ron Paul is running dead last so far in the primaries. He isn’t going to win the nomination. You can dream if you want. I tend to be a bit more of a realist.

  3. #103
    On February 5th, 2012 at 5:20 pm, CandanceM said:

    I have always loved Phil’s passion the whole time I’ve been reading MM. I respect what he is doing.

    But it’s unfortunate he’s chosen to cast his lot with Ron Paul.

  4. #104
    On February 5th, 2012 at 5:20 pm, til said:

    Happy, compared to the sock puppet, I’d be fine with any of the four remaining candidates as POTUS; however, I truly believe that only Dr. Paul can actually win against the present regime. (assuming a fair election)

    PaulWest12

  5. #105
    On February 5th, 2012 at 5:22 pm, happyscrapper said:

    We’re off to Famous Dave’s in Uptown to watch the game with family and friends!

    Have a great evening everyone.

    Go Patriots!

  6. #106
    On February 5th, 2012 at 5:25 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On February 5th, 2012 at 5:20 pm, CandanceM said:
    I have always loved Phil’s passion the whole time I’ve been reading MM. I respect what he is doing.

    But it’s unfortunate he’s chosen to cast his lot with Ron Paul.

    When did he say that? So far, he hasn’t actually told anyone who he is FOR, only who he is AGAINST.

    On February 5th, 2012 at 5:20 pm, til said:
    Happy, compared to the sock puppet, I’d be fine with any of the four remaining candidates as POTUS; however, I truly believe that only Dr. Paul can actually win against the present regime. (assuming a fair election)

    PaulWest12

    If he can’t even win the nomination, what makes you think he can win the general election??

    I gotta go now, but will check in later tonight after the game.

    happy out

  7. #107
    On February 5th, 2012 at 5:27 pm, CandanceM said:

    I always thought it was pretty much obvious…..

  8. #108
    On February 5th, 2012 at 5:49 pm, ChapBix said:

    #27. On February 4th, 2012 at 9:59 pm, 123upnorth said:

    A whore is a deep-discounter of sexual services – much like Walmart is to retail goods. In terms of marriage, you pay your wife for sex whether you realize it or not.

    And cougars pay their husbands/boy toys for sex?

  9. #109
    On February 5th, 2012 at 6:07 pm, gmatt2003 said:

    not even going near previous comment – can you people keep it clean, please?

    Anyway, latest Rasmussen poll has Santorum 45% to Obama 44%. He’s the only one leading against Obama. Gingrich, I think, is about 10% behind Obama.

    This thing is far from over.

  10. #110
    On February 5th, 2012 at 6:10 pm, ChapBix said:

    #33. On February 4th, 2012 at 11:21 pm, Raider109 said:

    Being ineligible did not keep Barky out of the Oval Orifice. Why should it keep you out?

  11. #111
    On February 5th, 2012 at 6:13 pm, CandanceM said:

    Anyway, latest Rasmussen poll has Santorum 45% to Obama 44%. He’s the only one leading against Obama.

    I agree. Santorum doesn’t have nearly the baggage that Romney has. I do think he could win if he got the nod. But Republicans are bent to commit suicide again.

  12. #112
    On February 5th, 2012 at 6:17 pm, NJ-Aviator said:

    Romney wins…

    Update: We lose

  13. #113
    On February 5th, 2012 at 7:41 pm, txvet2 said:

    On February 5th, 2012 at 4:52 pm, til said:

    “He was defeated in his run for the Republican presidential nomination in 1968 as well as 1976, but won both the nomination and election in 1980, defeating incumbent Jimmy Carter.”

    Since you’re talking about Reagan, not Paul, you should so indicate. But never mind. First, Reagan was a conservative, and Paul is libertarian. Second, Reagan won as a Republican. Paul is dead last in the primaries and will only be in the general if he runs third party. While that would please Phil no end, most of the people who are supporting him in the primaries (not even including the Democrats, and liberals who’ve been voting for him in open primaries but who won’t vote for him in the general and the under-30′s who won’t show up), will abandon him if he runs third party.

  14. #114
    On February 5th, 2012 at 7:53 pm, txvet2 said:

    On February 5th, 2012 at 6:13 pm, CandanceM said:

    Unfortunately, the idiot vote will probably give the nomination to Romney because the media keeps telling them he’s “electable” and they can’t turn their TV’s away from “Dancing with Morons” or “America’s Noisiest Bore” long enough to do a little research. I think Santorum is still having trouble with name recognition to a large degree and also some people are reluctant to support him because they don’t want to “throw their votes away”.

  15. #115
    On February 5th, 2012 at 8:36 pm, CandanceM said:

    some people are reluctant to support him because they don’t want to “throw their votes away”.

    This.

  16. #116
    On February 5th, 2012 at 8:38 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

    Something for you noseholders to contemplate about your beloved GOP.

    Sample quote.

    “Obama’s chances for re-election are starting to look so good that Republican insiders are already considering what it will mean for 2016.”

    Thank you for blocking those of us trying to make a fight of it. Now on to blaming conservatives for your stupidity.

    Monkey pile!!!!!

  17. #117
    On February 5th, 2012 at 8:41 pm, WarTip said:

    Personally, my primary concern is the economy … and more specifically the government intrusion on whatever was left of a free market system. “Obamacare” alone is going to give the government control of roughly twenty percent of the national economy. Add in the fact that when GAAP formats are used (Generally accepted Accounting practices … or the way you and I have to figure our finances) the actual debt in the US is larger than the GDP of the entire world and it begins to become very disconcerting.

    We still have “Progressives” blaming the current economy on Bush and the republicans despite all the evidence that points to the current mess being the direct result of a Democrat house and senate that has not been able to pass more than one budget since their takeover in 2008. They do this without the least hint of sarcasm and blissfully unaware of their hypocrisy and the fallibility of their arguments. If we do not get our economy back, the nation itself is lost. You can contest that all you want, argue for or against government intervention in private industry, the corporate realm and between individual contracts but it remains the truth and is historically unavoidable. As for the current selections of the GOP establishment, my personal belief is that none of them are going to make any more effort to reclaim our economy than the late, great Ronald Reagan (who had his flaws as well … and we all do) made to do away with the EPA or the DoE that have spiraled so far out of control and out of context to become the behemoth, bloated bureaucracies that they are today.

    Without a candidate to reclaim the economy, holding one’s nose hardly seems a viable option. Giving the dems even more Dem Lites under the guise of Republicans to place the blame with hardly seems like a viable option either. Simply defeating Obama while we continue daftly down the same path hardly seems like a viable option given the severity of the current situation and voting for the lesser of evils is still a vote for evil.

    Options? I dunno!? The future definitely does not look bright enough to warrant buying new shades. It seems that we all need to prepare for some radical changes in the very near future in my humble opinion. In the meantime, we can always hope for the best but now more than ever, we all need to prepare for the worst as well.

    Just my opinion, but please, by all means, let the games … and the petty bickering … continue! Let’s not let anything so petty as the future of our nation get in the way of a schoolyard name-calling session.

  18. #118
    On February 5th, 2012 at 9:56 pm, txvet2 said:

    GIANTS WIN!!!

  19. #119
    On February 5th, 2012 at 9:58 pm, ChapBix said:

    #96. On February 5th, 2012 at 4:23 pm, til said:

    We did not have a legitimate election in 2008. Why would you think we will have one in 2012?

  20. #120
    On February 5th, 2012 at 9:58 pm, txvet2 said:

    On February 5th, 2012 at 8:38 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

    You haven’t been trying to make a fight of it, unless you consider campaigning to re-elect Obama “fighting”. All you’ve been doing is quitting and running away, noisily and at great length.

  21. #121
    On February 5th, 2012 at 10:05 pm, ChapBix said:

    #117. On February 5th, 2012 at 8:41 pm, WarTip said:

    We still have “Progressives” blaming the current economy on Bush and the republicans despite all the evidence that points to the current mess being the direct result of a Democrat house and senate that has not been able to pass more than one budget since their takeover in 2008. They do this without the least hint of sarcasm and blissfully unaware of their hypocrisy and the fallibility of their arguments.

    I would argue that they are very aware of their hypocrisy but will not admit to it.

  22. #122
    On February 5th, 2012 at 10:06 pm, til said:

    When did I say that I think that Chap?

  23. #123
    On February 5th, 2012 at 10:22 pm, til said:

    “…they are very aware of their hypocrisy…”
    I agree

    PaulWest12

  24. #124
    On February 5th, 2012 at 10:46 pm, WarTip said:

    I would guess that those in the establishment are well aware of the hypocrisy but the average, voting public … the ones who still believe Obama is giving them “free gubmint money” from “his stash” … I think they remain woefully … and perhaps even willfully ignorant and apathetic! Just my opinion though.

  25. #125
    On February 6th, 2012 at 12:08 am, redgypsy said:

    (Sorry about the Patriots, Happy)
    I am solidly in the camp of “anyone but Obama.”
    We won’t get that if Paul is the nominee.
    Therefore we’d better not end up with Paul.

  26. #126
    On February 6th, 2012 at 12:11 am, Straight_Talk_Luigi said:

    “Obama’s chances for re-election are starting to look so good that Republican insiders are already considering what it will mean for 2016.”

    (laughs)

    I WANT Obama on the ticket in 2012.

    I’ve been saying that for MONTHS.

    ANYONE of the four candidates could trounce Obama in the general.

    New Rasmussen poll shows Santorum up over Obama 45-44.

  27. #127
    On February 6th, 2012 at 8:52 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

    We won’t get that if Paul is the nominee.
    Therefore we’d better not end up with Paul.

    There are far worse things than that. Why do you supposed conservatives keep trashing the one true Statesman in the lot? “Anybody but Obama!” Now that’s a hell of rallying cry to stir the troops! The bell rings and once again the slobbering dogs pull the lever for the GOP frontrunner. Sheesh.

  28. #128
    On February 6th, 2012 at 8:58 am, Truesoldier said:

    On February 5th, 2012 at 4:23 pm, til said:
    PaulWest12

    Fat chance of that ever happening. I seriously doubt that Col West would ever consider being on a ticket with Paul as they are on very opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to national security:

    Make no mistake, we are a nation at war against a totalitarian theocratic political ideology that glorifies death rather than celebrating life. To defeat it, we must stay on the offensive. From Afghanistan and Iraq to the Greater Middle East and South America, radical Islam is on the march. And while our attention is focused on combating global terrorism, we must not forget other looming threats just on the horizon in China, North Korea, Venezuela, Russia & Iran. These nations and their leaders represent the biggest threat to our great nation. As your Congressman, I will work to reestablish American Exceptionalism by growing and modernizing America’s Armed forces to ensure that we are prepared for the strategic challenges ahead. Like President Reagan, I believe that peace is best kept through a strong national defense.

  29. #129
    On February 6th, 2012 at 9:01 am, Truesoldier said:

    #27. On February 4th, 2012 at 9:59 pm, 123upnorth said:

    A whore is a deep-discounter of sexual services – much like Walmart is to retail goods. In terms of marriage, you pay your wife for sex whether you realize it or not.

    Comparing ones wife to ones spouse is very rude and childish. Are you in Junior high? Seriously I want to know. If you are you need to understand that behavior like that is inconsiderate and will not be tolerated. If you are not in junior high then you need to watch your mouth!

  30. #130
    On February 6th, 2012 at 9:23 am, thejim said:

    How is it that the GOP and the rest of America can’t produce one candidate capable of beating the worst pResident in history and then……put the country back on the path towards returning this Nation to it’s historical greatness?

  31. #131
    On February 6th, 2012 at 9:59 am, happyscrapper said:

    On February 6th, 2012 at 9:23 am, thejim said:
    How is it that the GOP and the rest of America can’t produce one candidate capable of beating the worst pResident in history and then……put the country back on the path towards returning this Nation to it’s historical greatness?

    Let me count the ways…

    1. Our educational system has not taught our citizens to appreciate our country’s history and greatness or stand up for it.

    2. Our media has brainwashed our citizens to think all is well in our Republic.

    3. The morals of this country have been slowly eroded by Hollywood and TV, so that now, giving America the finger on national TV during a Super Bowl half-time show is acceptable.

    4. We have so many corrupt and evil people running our country, many are afraid to take them on.

    5. The few brave souls who stand up to the marxists are trashed, demeaned, vilified, and slandered.

    Would YOU go through all that? Only a brave few would and ARE! (Oh, you also have to be a multi millionaire.)

  32. #132
    On February 6th, 2012 at 11:27 am, spaceycakes said:

    In terms of marriage, you pay your wife for sex whether you realize it or not.

    Spoken like someone who has either
    1)never been married
    2)married the wrong person

  33. #133
    On February 6th, 2012 at 12:22 pm, thejim said:

    Would YOU go through all that? Only a brave few would and ARE! (Oh, you also have to be a multi millionaire.)

    I agree with your list, but let’s add a way to overcome some of that by Going outside of the political crowd to select the right person for these trying times. Maybe someone like General David Petraeus? Someone from any other field besides politics.

  34. #134
    On February 6th, 2012 at 12:22 pm, oldcollegeguy1980 said:

    Of course we still do not know how the next few primary’s will turn out, but in case Romney is the nominee

    Perhaps we could work on some slogans

    I like

    “Mitt vs the Twit”

    Anybody got any others

  35. #135
    On February 6th, 2012 at 12:34 pm, thejim said:

    Anybody got any others

    Mitten? or Sock puppet? It will matter where you stick your hand, America.

  36. #136
    On February 6th, 2012 at 1:19 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On February 6th, 2012 at 12:22 pm, oldcollegeguy1980 said:
    Of course we still do not know how the next few primary’s will turn out, but in case Romney is the nominee

    Perhaps we could work on some slogans

    I like

    “Mitt vs the Twit”

    Love it!!

  37. #137
    On February 6th, 2012 at 2:10 pm, happyscrapper said:

    How about

    Mitt? Oh, shi#!!

  38. #138
    On February 6th, 2012 at 8:35 pm, Blackstone said:

    On February 6th, 2012 at 8:52 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

    Why do you supposed conservatives keep trashing the one true Statesman in the lot?

    Why do you suppose Paul supporters keep thinking they’ll get anywhere with anyone by repeatedly asking loaded questions?

  39. #139
    On February 6th, 2012 at 9:19 pm, gmatt2003 said:

    Santorum has the least negatives, while Romney and Gingrich are destroying themselves

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