USA: Voters cast their vote at statewide Republican caucuses in Nevada where Republican candidate Mitt Romney is looking to boost his front-runner status

Record ID: 346480

  • Title: USA: Voters cast their vote at statewide Republican caucuses in Nevada where Republican candidate Mitt Romney is looking to boost his front-runner status
  • Date: 5th February 2012
  • Summary: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, UNITED STATES (FEBRUARY O4, 2012) (REUTERS) WIDE SHOT OF SCHOOL AND CAUCUS VARIOUS OF CAUCUS VOLUNTEERS GETTING READY PAN FROM DISTRICT VOTING BOARD TO VOLUNTEERS CLOSE UP OF ORGANIZER VARIOUS OF VOTERS REGISTERING (SOUNDBITE) (English) GORDON HOPKINS CAUCUS VOTER SAYING: "I thought it was a huge waste of time, I think. We should go back to the primary idea, because this whole business is a big waste of time." (SOUNDBITE) (English) KEITH MCKAY, CAUCUS VOTER SAYING: "I think it's a silly way to do things it uses up a lot of time to get the vote out of the way" VARIOUS OF INSIDE CAUCUS MEETING VARIOUS OF VOTERS INSIDE MEETING DELEGATE VOTES VOTING BALLOTS BEING HANDED OUT BALLOT CLOSE UP BALLOTS BEING COLLECTED VARIOUS OF COUNTING BALLOTS ANNOUNCEMENT OF VOTING RESULTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHRISTINE DELUCA, CAUCUS VOTER SAYING: "Mitt Romney of course, who else, for gosh sakes." (SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHN RYAN, CAUCUS VOTER SAYING: "I voted for Mitt Romney. my opinion he was the least worst choice. I just don't see Newt Gingrich or Ron Paul as presidential material. Event though I might vote for Obama here in November, I think he would be an acceptable president." (SOUNDBITE) (English) MICHAEL DUGAN, CAUCUS VOTER SAYING: "Why am I for Mitt Romney, because I think the country is in trouble and the last thing we need is another career politician. We need someone who is done something in the private sector and knows how to get things done. More importantly knows how to bring people together, not tear them apart." MEDIA COVERING CAUCUS
  • Embargoed: 20th February 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa, Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA6OW2Z4LT1JY8TZP7KIN64SEL1
  • Story Text: It was democracy at work on Saturday morning (February 4) as Nevada voters arrived at caucuses around the state to cast their ballot for their Republican presidential candidate of choice.
    With a huge lead in polls, Republican front-runner Mitt Romney appeared poised for an easy win in the state that would put him in firm command of the party's see-sawing presidential nominating race.
    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.
    There were several Republican voters who said they would like to see a primary system in place.
    "I think it's a silly way to do things it uses up a lot of time to get the vote out of the way," said Keith McKay, adding that the hour long caucus meeting didn't add anything to the process.
    "I thought it was a huge waste of time, I think. We should go back to the primary idea, because this whole business is a big waste of time," said Gordon Hopkins.
    In Clark County, in Las Vegas, several hundred voters showed up at a local middle school where they broke into small groups by precinct to elect delegates to the county convention in March and cast ballots in the presidential race.
    In the precinct that Reuters attended, the final tally was 36 for Romney, 8 for U.S. Representative Ron Paul, three for Gingrich and three for former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum.
    Nevada, which has a faltering economy and a big Mormon population, is friendly territory for Romney, a Mormon and former head of a private equity firm. He captured 51 percent of the vote in 2008 to win the state during his failed 2008 presidential bid.
    Romney supporters believe the ex-Massachusetts governor and former private equity executive is the best choice.
    "Mitt Romney of course, who else for gosh sakes," explained Christine Deluca, after casting her ballot.
    Fellow Republican John Duggan added the reason for his support.
    "Why am I for Mitt Romney, because I think the country is in trouble and the last thing we need is another career politician," said Duggan. "We need someone who has done something in the private sector and knows how to get things done. More importantly knows how to bring people together, not tear them apart."
    After Nevada, the campaign trail speeds up with Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri having their nominating contests on Tuesday. Maine will wrap up its weeklong caucuses next Saturday, and Arizona and Michigan hold February 28 contests.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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