Romney wins big in Nevada, but Gingrich fights on –

Romney Victorious in Nevada and Gingrich Vows to Fight on… Is There a Chance Anymore? | Democracy, elections, and voting at Democracy Chronicles

By AL ARABIYA WITH AGENCIES

Republican White House hopeful Mitt Romney romped to victory in the Nevada caucuses Saturday, cementing his position as frontrunner to take on President Barack Obama in November.

But his main rival former House speaker Newt Gingrich, who came in second place, vowed to fight all the way to August for his party’s nomination, which he insists he can still win.

The results come as the candidates prepare for three more state polls this week, with experts predicting that Romney and Gingrich will likely duel right up to the party’s summer convention in Florida.

With 42.9 percent of Nevada votes counted, Romney had 42.5 percent of the vote — a decisive lead, although below his 50 percent in 2008 — followed by 26.2 percent for Gingrich,
Texas Representative Ron Paul was third with 18.4 percent, followed by religious conservative Rick Santorum, a former US senator from Pennsylvania, with 13 percent.

In his speech, Romney failed to mention a single one of his Republican rivals, training his attacks solely on Obama — in a clear sign that he wants to reassert his above-the-fray frontrunner status.

“This president’s misguided policies made these tough times last longer,” he said, adding: “America needs a president, who can fix the economy because he understands the economy, and I do, and I will.”

Gingrich held a news conference after the results to head off speculation that he might put an early end to his campaign.