Romney poised for Nevada win

by Jamie Klatell - 02/04/12 10:55 PM ET

Nevada was long expected to be a stronghold for the former governor, who won the state with a pure majority of the vote in 2008. No other candidates besides Ron Paul spent much time and effort organizing for the state’s caucuses, and the large Mormon population in the Silver State gives Romney a strong base of support. His momentum coming out of Florida has further helped him.

{mosads}According to the last polls, Romney is carrying a double-digit lead into the caucuses. A PPP poll released on Friday showed Romney with 50 percent support — double that of the second-place finisher, Newt Gingrich.

A Las Vegas Review-Journal poll released on Thursday found Romney with a slightly smaller lead of 20 percentage points in Nevada.

The Nevada Republican party will release its first results at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET.

Romney left Nevada to campaign in Colorado on Saturday.

Gingrich has scheduled a press conference Saturday night, but his campaign has given no indication about the subject matter.

If Romney wins handily, he will move on with a friendly schedule. The four contests after Nevada should be easy wins for the former Massachusetts governor.

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Maine’s week-long caucus began Saturday, and Colorado’s caucus is on Feb. 7. Minnesota and Missouri will hold non-binding caucuses on the same day. Romney won Maine, Minnesota and Colorado four years ago, and Gingrich is not on the ballot in Missouri.

Gingrich has vowed to stay in the race for the GOP nomination until the Republican National Convention this summer.

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