It might be a good time for the “family feud” known better as the Republican presidential contenders to start talking about issues and less about each other. That is the game plan among the four men left as the fight moves into Nevada, Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado.
First stop is the caucus this Saturday in Nevada.
In this rugged, libertarian-leaning state that's home to legal brothels, high-roller heaven and a self-proclaimed “university” that teaches pole dancing, Nevadans revel in their pioneer spirit but still want direction from their politicians – even though they re-elected someone they wanted to depose, namely Sen. Harry Reid.
Although Reid survived last year's election to the surprise of almost everybody, he can thank the Tea Party candidate, Sharon Engel, for that Tuesday night surprise. There are many voters in the state that have sworn it will never happen again.
“Nevada is extremely proud to have the first opportunity to represent the window on the West,” Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki said recently. “We've been a good bellwether on presidential elections in the past.”
Jobs and the economy will dominate the GOP race here. It's not the state's only concern since water rights, transportation, energy and natural resources are also of great concern, but the high unemployment and the state's housing crisis has the economy in a flux.
Polls show Former Gov. Mitt Romney, who won Nevada in 2008 by pushing his business acumen, enjoying a solid lead bolstered (apparently) by the endorsement of mega-billionaire Donald Trump Thursday morning – a big surprise to the Gingrich campaign that expected his blessing up until the announcement.
Unlike California where the populace is many times unfamiliar with their elected officials, Nevada is a state where you know them well. Being a smaller state, they are more exposed to the people on a daily basis. Mitt Romney realizes that and has been to the state more than any other candidate – including President Obama.
Rep. Ron Paul arrived last Tuesday wooing the Mormon vote almost exclusively. It is his campaign's strategy to challenge Romney's dominance in this category in a heavily Mormon-populated state (largest next to Utah). Whether that tactic will work as the alternative to the now-departed Mormon candidate, Jon Huntsman, is a real gamble that has many scratching their head.
Nevertheless, the feisty Paul announced he has raised an additional $3.9 million to bolster his candidacy.
Former Sen. Rick Santorum, not to be outdone, threw a lavish party in Las Vegas Tuesday night and vows to hold his ground to the surging Romney campaign. How long he can continue on his meager campaign contributions is now being whispered louder than ever.
Then there's former Speaker Newt Gingrich, whose campaign could get a boost from the decision of the Nevada Republican Party to allow a special evening caucus for “religious” voters who can't attend Saturday's sessions. It would be held at the private school funded by billionaire casino magnate, Sheldon Adelson, the Orthodox Jew who donated $5 million to Gingrich's super PAC, as did his wife, Miriam.
All four candidates aim to appeal to an expected 50,000 caucusers in a pro-gun, anti-tax state where the Tea Party has thrived.
The show has moved West with a bang.
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