Nevada caucus may boost Romney momentum

LAS VEGAS -- Republicans in Nevada are poised to do what no one has yet done in the 2012 Republican presidential campaign -- sustain momentum.

Their caucuses Saturday are likely to deliver a solid victory to Mitt Romney. That would be the first time this year that a presidential candidate has won two states in a row.

After taking Florida on Tuesday by a wide margin, a decisive Nevada win would send Romney rushing into February with wins in three out of the first five voting states and a commanding lead toward getting the Republican presidential nomination.

He still has to defeat former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and Rep. Ron Paul of Texas.

But the political landscape in Nevada favors the former Massachusetts governor. Polls show him ahead, thanks in part to a large population of his fellow Mormons. And interviews with Republican voters suggest that they're not surging to Gingrich, they like Santorum but think him too tame to take on President Barack Obama, and even some Paul supporters have doubts about him as a general election candidate.

Key for almost every Republican in Nevada: Finding the champion they think can defeat Obama and turn the government and economy in a different direction.

The caucuses will award 28 delegates, divided proportionately among the candidates based on their support.

To many, Romney's experience in business and in turning around the Olympics make him the go-to guy.

"This fiscal crisis didn't happen overnight and it's going to take a lot to turn it around," said Diana Roy of Las Vegas, who works for a mortgage company after being out of work for two years. "We need someone with management experience. A professional."

Paul hopes to score well in the caucuses, where turnout is typically light because voters must participate in meetings rather than merely cast a ballot. That tends to reward candidates such as Paul who have passionate supporters.

A poll for the Las Vegas Review Journal found Romney with the support of 45 percent of likely caucus attendees, Gingrich with 25, Santorum with 11 and Paul with 9 percent.