LAS VEGAS -- Nevada is known as the "First in the West" when it comes to presidential politics. The race is already on for a growing list of Republican candidates seeking the nomination to take on President Obama.
You may notice more voter registration volunteers at the local DMV or shopping center this weekend. That's because the president's "Organizing for America' group is making a statewide push. Meanwhile Republican Mitt Romney is hoping to raise some serious cash in Las Vegas for his new campaign.
Volunteers fill the new "Organizing for America" office on Sahara Ave. and Jones Blvd. Many volunteers on the phone banks are high school and college students on summer break. Starting with this weekend's voter registration drive, they hope to repeat Barack Obama's 12 point 2008 Nevada victory.
"I am working with the Obama campaign now because he's doing something. I got involved, not in 2008, but after that when he started working on health care. Once he started doing something, I don't want to bicker about it. I just want things done. I work with the president to get things done," said Dwayne Morton, Organizing for America volunteer.
Republican candidate Mitt Romney didn't answer any questions on his way to a $1,000 a plate fundraiser at Lawry's Steakhouse. Lieutenant Governor Brian Krolicki is Romney's newly-named state campaign co-chair.
"I just love his abilities financially. This is a man who turned around some of the finances of Massachusetts from deficits to surpluses. The Olympic Games, turning a very difficult situation into a profitable enterprise," said Krolicki.
Nevada's Republican caucuses are February 18, the first in the west.
"We all know that Nevada is early in the process, so it's critically important. It's a firewall, for I think any candidate," said Krolicki.
State Senator Ruben Kihuen hopes to re-energize Nevadans who voted for Obama in 2008.
"Change doesn't happen from one day to the next. It takes years for change to happen, but we're also going to highlight the successes of the president," said Kihuen. "Let us not forget that we got into this mess through George Bush's administration. So now, it's taken us several years to clean up after him."
But Republicans won't let that statement stand, hoping to raise enough campaign money to take on President Obama in Nevada.
Former Governor of Utah Jon Huntsman says he'll kick off his presidential campaign next Tuesday and one of his first stops will be Nevada.
