Decision 2012: Romney Outpaces Rivals In Nevada GOP Caucuses

By: Errol Louis

To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney scored another major victory over his GOP rivals Saturday night, as the Nevada caucuses gave him a double-digit lead over former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Congressman Ron Paul.

By Sunday morning, with 71 percent of precincts reporting, Romney had 47 percent, while Gingrich trailed with 22 percent and Paul had almost 19 percent.

The former Massachusetts governor won the Nevada caucus four years ago and matched expectations by doing so again.

Romney spent the most money and had the most organization among the Republican candidates in Nevada.

Nearly half the votes were cast in the the Las Vegas area, where Romney had an overwhelming lead.

Religion also played a major role in the race, as more than 20 percent of Nevada's Republican caucus voters share Romney's Mormon faith.

"This is not the first time you gave me your vote of confidence and this time I'm going to take it to the White House," Romney said in his victory speech to supporters in Las Vegas.

In much of his victory speech, Romney attacked President Barack Obama.

"I've walked in Nevada neighborhoods, blighted by abandoned homes where people wonder why Barack Obama failed them. Well, Mr. President, Nevada has has enough of your kind of help," said Romney.

The other Republican candidates all but ceded the state to Romney in advance. Gingrich and Santorum did not buy any TV ads in the state. Even though Paul did advertise, he left Nevada early and was not in the state on the night of the caucuses and neither was Santorum.

Gingrich stayed around and held a press conference that opened with a vow to fight on, despite a second-place finish.

"I am a candidate for the president of the United States. I will be a candidate for president of the United States. We will go to Tampa [for the Republican convention]," said Gingrich.

Gingrich also had some tough words for Mitt Romney.

"I also believe that the vast majority of Republicans across the country are going to want an alternative to a Massachusetts moderate who has in his career been pro-abortion, pro-gun control, pro-tax increases," said Gingrich.

The contest now moves to a number of small-state caucuses, with one debate scheduled for later in the month and a crucial primary in Arizona. But for now, most of Nevada's 28 delegates, along with political momentum and bragging rights, go to Romney.