USA: Mitt Romney rides wave of momentum to victory in Nevada Republican caucus

Record ID: 346531

  • Title: USA: Mitt Romney rides wave of momentum to victory in Nevada Republican caucus
  • Date: 6th February 2012
  • Summary: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, UNITED STATES (FEBRUARY 04, 2012) (REUTERS) WIDE SHOT OF ROMNEY SUPPORTERS CHEERING CLOSE UP OF CROWD ROMNEY ENTERING HALL PAN FROM CROWD TO ROMNEY VARIOUS OF CHEERING CROWD (SOUNDBITE) (English) MITT ROMNEY SAYING: "We still believe in that America, we still believe in America that is the land of opportunity and a beacon of freedom. We believe in
  • Embargoed: 21st February 2012 12:00
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  • Location: Usa, Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA4YRUQ04B4KOQ9P2AVHF6HMZ72
  • Story Text: Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney added momentum to his drive for capturing the GOP nomination by cruising to victory Saturday (February 04) in the Nevada Republican caucus.
    Romney captured 44 percent of the vote with about 43 percent of precincts counted, taking about a 20-point lead over his closest rivals, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and U.S. Representative Ron Paul, who were battling for second place.
    The victory was Romney's second in a row and his third in the first five contests in the state-by-state battle to find a Republican challenger to President Barack Obama in November's general election.
    "We still believe in that America, we still believe in America that is the land of opportunity and a beacon of freedom," Romney told cheering supporters at a Las Vegas casino hotel, aiming his criticism at Obama and ignoring his Republican rivals.
    "We believe in America that challenges each of us to be bigger and better than ourselves. This election we must fight for the America we love, we believe in America. Thank you so much and God bless this great land."
    Nevada's caucuses were held at 125 sites around the state, with voters breaking up into small groups by precinct to tout their candidates and debate their choices. Several Romney supporters said they backed him because he could win in November.
    "Because I want Obama out, that is pretty much it and he is the guy to do it," said Romney supporter James Clark.
    "I debated back and forth for a long time and he's the one that can beat Obama," added Debbie Meadows, of Las Vegas.
    "Plain and simple that is the most important thing and he will do a good job. He is honest and trustworthy and some of the others ones aren't."
    The victory in Nevada propels Romney into the next contests - in Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri on Tuesday - on a huge wave of momentum. The former Massachusetts governor took control of the Nevada contest early after recapturing his front-runner status with a convincing win over Gingrich in Florida last Tuesday.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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