Indian Express, Associated Press, Las Vegas: Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney cruised to victory in the Nevada caucuses, notching a second straight triumph over a field of rivals suddenly struggling to keep pace. The Saturday caucuses drew little attention in the nominating campaign, but Nevada figures to be a fierce battleground in November between the winner of the Republican nomination and Democrat President Barack Obama. The state’s unemployment rate was measured at 12.6 per cent in December, the worst in the US. Romney unleashed a sharp attack on Obama, whose
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economic policies he said have “made these tough times last longer.’’ “President Obama seems to believe America’s role as leader in the world is a thing of the past. I believe the 21st century will be and must be an American century,’’ Romney said to cheers from his backers. Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, held a double-digit lead over his nearest pursuer as the totals mounted in a state where fellow Mormons accounted for roughly a quarter of all caucus-goers. Former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Rep. Ron Paul vied for a distant second. Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum trailed the field. Returns from 14 of 17 counties showed Romney with 42 per cent support, Gingrich with 25 per cent, Paul with 20 per cent and Santorum with 13 per cent. Romney’s victory capped a week that began with his double-digit win in the Florida primary. That contest was as intense as Nevada’s caucuses were sedate, so quiet that they produced little television advertising, no candidate debates and only a modest investment of time by the contenders.Romney sails to victory in Nevada - Indian Express
