Nevada Republicans caucus for presidential pick

LAS VEGAS — The economy, unemployment and political dislike of President Barack Obama were on the minds of Nevada Republicans who fanned out to fire stations, schools and an empty warehouse Saturday, some braving freezing temperatures before sunrise to cast their vote for a GOP presidential nominee.

GOP caucuses began as early as 7 a.m. in the state capital of Carson City, with a "vote and go" option for shift workers and others unable to attend the regular caucus meeting. Depending on the county, caucuses were scheduled at various times throughout the day, the last scheduled for 7 p.m.

Rita Homer and her husband, Brad, were the first in line when the doors opened in Carson City around sunrise.

For them, unemployment and immigration are the biggest concerns in this year's presidential race. They planned to vote for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

"He has some off-the-wall ideas, but I have no problem with that," said Rita Homer, 60, an office manager and tea party backer. "If he wants someone on the moon, let's get there first."

By midday, many caucuses were in full swing around the state, with voters debating the attributes and shortcomings of the four remaining GOP hopefuls — Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum.

More than 1,000 people were at a middle school in Sparks, one of 15 caucus sites in the Reno-Sparks area.

Vinney Tolman, a 35-year-old small business owner, was backing Romney, the former Massachusetts governor who won Nevada four years ago and was favored to repeat on Saturday.

"He has some ethics and morals that are going to be a stable foundation for his policies," Tolman said.

Rosemary Millet, 56, liked Romney's business experience.

"We need a financial genius at this point and I think he's it," she said in Carson City.

Charlene Bybee, a Sparks flight attendant and tea party organizer, said former House Speaker Gingrich was the better candidate because he talks about "facts, not rhetoric."

In the Las Vegas community of Summerlin, Steve Commander bounced around a middle school science classroom wearing a tea party lapel pin and a tie spangled with $100 bills.

He serenaded volunteers with a rendition of the Sammy Davis Jr. song, "I've Gotta Be Me."