Calling the rumor of his departure from the race a "fantasy" spread by operatives of ex-Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, former Speaker of the US House of Representatives Newt Gingrich reasserted his commitment to take his candidacy to the Republican National Convention in August in the face of a second straight defeat at the hands of Romney and a rumor that spread this morning that he was contemplating an end to his campaign.
Gingrich held a press conference at the posh Venetian Hotel and Casino as results from the Nevada caucuses trickled in showing a solid first place finish by Romney.
Gingrich downplayed his Nevada finish, citing Romney's previous success there in 2008 and the state's large Mormon population. The former speaker also predicted he would outperform Arizona US Senator John McCain's showing in Nevada four years before.
In 2008, McCain garnered 13% to come in third behind Romney and Texas US Representative Ron Paul but went on to win the Republican nomination for president.
Gingrich lambasted Romney throughout a press conference that took the place of a standard end of election party. The ex-speaker said he opted for the press conference as he did not want to conflict with the large number of Super Bowl parties and related events taking place across Las Vegas.
Beyond stating his intention to remain in the race, the Gingrich press conference offered little new from his standard attacks on Romney for being dishohest and a Massachusetts moderate. Gingrich did call Donald Trump a master media manipulator, a reference to Trump's endorsement of Romney after it was initially reported that the celebrity real estate developer was going to publicly back Gingrich.
Closing the media event on a light note, Gingrich revealed that he owns a share of the Green Bay Packers and that he will be cheering for the New York Giants.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Nevada 2012: Reno's In, Paul Falls, Newt Picks Up
With the Biggest Little City counted, Romney remains in first with 41%, Newt second with 26%, Paul down to 19% in third while Santorum hopped up to 14%.
Nevada 2012: A Different Kind of Caucus
As the hig cities are still out, I am going to take this opportunity to explain how Nevada's is different from the Iowa caucus. Nevada has 28 delegates up for grabs and will apportion these delegates by percentage.
At the precinct caucus site, participants cast a vote for president and elect delegates to county conventions, just like Iowa, though the similarities end there.
In Iowa, the presidential ballot is a straw poll. The media places great emphasis on this though it has absolutely no bearing on the actual distribution of delegates. In other words, the delegates "won" by the candidates there are a total sham. However, in Nevada the ballot us binding in that the candidates will receive firm first ballot delegates to the Republiban National Convention in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
Iowa's delegates to the RNC are actually picked at congressional district conventions and the state convention, with their actions technically having no relevance to the celebrated First in the Nation media political spectacle.
At the precinct caucus site, participants cast a vote for president and elect delegates to county conventions, just like Iowa, though the similarities end there.
In Iowa, the presidential ballot is a straw poll. The media places great emphasis on this though it has absolutely no bearing on the actual distribution of delegates. In other words, the delegates "won" by the candidates there are a total sham. However, in Nevada the ballot us binding in that the candidates will receive firm first ballot delegates to the Republiban National Convention in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
Iowa's delegates to the RNC are actually picked at congressional district conventions and the state convention, with their actions technically having no relevance to the celebrated First in the Nation media political spectacle.
Nevada 2012: The Capital Checks In for Newt, Romney
With 7.5% of the precincts counted, Newt Gingrich has leaped over Ron Paul for second place while Mitt Romney has increased his lead to 39%. Gingrich now has 25% to Paul's 22%. Rick Santorum appears to have plateaued at 13%. Reno, Henderson and Las Vegas numbers are still outstanding and can easily reposition the field, though Romney is expected to fare well in the state's major population centers.
More of the Same with 6% in
And with 109 of 1835 precincts, Romney continues to lead with the order the same and the percentages not shifted by much. I will be switching to my tablet to save my phone's battery.
And Just Like That...
Paul springs into second with 4% in. Romney still leads with 38%, Paul is in second with 30%, Newt drops to third with 20% and Santorum begins his decline to the basement with this notch at 13%.
Nevada First Numbers
With 2.2% in from the rural areas, it's Romney 45%, Newt 23%, Santorum 17% & Paul 15%. These numbers will change drastically towards Paul when Reno & Las Vegas check in.
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