GOP presidential hopefuls paying attention to Nevada - BostonHerald.com
By binding delegates to their original primary vote NV will replace SC in the primary to fight for category.
Nevada was a political afterthought for Republicans in the 2008 presidential election. It will be interesting to see how this plays with the wingnuts: will they view it as “Our NeoConfederate guy Newt against that Blue blooded Mormon Mitt” in a state where being Mormon matters in politics?
Caucus votes were nonbinding, meaning delegates could change their minds about whom to support, so candidates focused on other more influential states rather than risk wasting time and money in Nevada.
But that strategy seems to be changing, with the state GOP deciding to make caucus votes binding. Now that Nevada can boast real political juice, Republicans toying with the idea of presidential bids are scoping out the Silver State.
An advance man for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich dropped into Las Vegas this month to meet with Republican and conservative players, gauge the strength of the state GOP and try to anticipate what a primary might bring. Gregg Phillips, a software company owner from Texas and close friend of Gingrich, spoke to Republicans and schmoozed at a happy hour for conservatives and libertarians. (Gingrich won a presidential straw poll conducted at the gathering.)