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LAS VEGAS — The Republican presidential candidates are doing battle in Nevada's major cities, ahead of Saturday's caucus.
Nevada is a swing state. In 2008, Barack Obama won by 12 points. This time around, winning Nevada is expected to be much tougher.
Nevada's economy
The state has been hammered by recession and voters are looking for solutions.
In the entire United States, you'd be hard pressed to find a place more hard hit by the down economy. In 2008, unemployment in Nevada was 5.5 percent; now it's 13 percent. The state also leads the nation in foreclosures.
Go to any campaign event, and you'll find someone with a story.
Our city suffered because of this recession that's been going on for so long. If you go around town, in a lot of these strip malls (you'll find) empty stores.
–Tony Becker, retired contractor
#becker_quote
"Our city suffered because of this recession that's been going on for so long," said retired contractor Tony Becker. "If you go around town, in a lot of these strip malls (you'll find) empty stores."
Airline pilot Joe Schoofs says the home he bought for half a million dollars is now worth half that. "I'm 57 years old. If 10 years from now I retire, and I can't afford a $4,000 a month anymore, I still can't sell my house. It's still upside down," he said.
Rita Hickey is a travel agent. "People don't have any money. They aren't employed. The last thing they can afford is vacation. Yes, I've seen a drop in business," she said.
Driving Nevada's economy into the ditch: a downturn in tourism, coupled with a collapse in construction projects.
"The vast majority of our unemployment is the construction industry. They just simply stopped building," said David Damore, associated professor of political science at UNLV.
"If you go down the Las Vegas strip, you'll see two future strip resorts where they simply stopped building," Damore said. "You have neighborhoods where they were building, and they just have stopped building in mid-block there."
The Mormon factor
While many Romney supporters say his business background is an important factor in getting the economy going again, he may also have an advantage in Nevada he didn't have in eastern primaries: the Mormon vote.
Nevada is like a home game for Romney. Unlike elsewhere in the U.S., GOP voters here are familiar with Mormonism. Plus, LDS voters appear to enthusiatically support Romney.
If (Mormons) turn out in high numbers, and they cohesively support him, that gives him a strong advantage.
–John Tuman, political science professor
#tuman_quote
"If they turn out in high numbers, and they cohesively support him, that gives him a strong advantage," said John Tuman, associate professor of political science at UNLV.
At an event in Henderson, Nev., Friday, a big crowd greeted the former Massachusetts governor. Many said they're looking for a strong conservative, a leader and faith is either a non-factor or a secondary concern.
"Those are the things America is really looking for, more than his faith. Though I think that's a great, strong point he has. It isn't the principal point, but I think he's a good man," said Roland Anderson, a local Romney supporter.
"In some cases you could say (his religion is) a built-in network for him already. Those who have known him for a while want to support him," said Dave Stevenson, also a Romney supporter.
Meanwhile, Ron Paul is also looking to attract LDS voters. In fact, at a Romney event Friday night, his backers showed up to pass out literature.