Published on 01/17/2008

(Las Vegas, NV) -- An important source at the highest levels of the Obama Campaign in Nevada said Thursday that the Obama Campaign is most fearful of Mitt Romney coming out as the Republican candidate as he is dynamic and has a command of economic issues. This revelation came about as the Obama Campaign was inquiring with some prominent Mormon civic leaders about a possible Mormon cross-over vote in the Southwest to Obama if Huckabee or McCain were to be the eventual nominee. The reliable source indicated that the Obama camp is currently implementing a plan to attract Mormon Moderate Republicans to their camp as a second choice to Romney, assuming he doesn't get the Republican nomination.

"I have grown up with Mormons all my life," the source stated "and I do not see them following McCain or Huckabee, so Obama can capture those votes and carry many of the Southwest states, including Arizona, if Obama can shave away only some of the Mormon vote."

Mormons represent an important voting audience in the West. Though only representing five to seven percent of the total population, the actual turn out of Mormons is nearly the highest of any major voting block. It is estimated that of actual persons voting, the Mormon block accounts for nearly twenty percent of actual voters.

In the West, Mitt Romney is relying upon the Mormon block to help him carry the day. With nearly twenty percent of the vote virtually in his pocket, he has the task of broadening his message to moderate evangelicals, and economic conservatives who are not of his faith. In a speech at Brady Industries Thursday night, Romney hit hard on Washington's failure to deliver any of the promises made in the past. The large banquet room was packed to capacity as former Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn joked to the crowd that he had asked a favor of the local fire marshal to turn a blind eye on the room capacity until Romney's speech was done. Not only was the room filled to capacity, but the staircase and lower lobby were also packed.

Romney noted that he had received the endorsement of the main Las Vegas paper, the Review-Journal, earlier that day and then flashed the good news that he had just learned before the speech that the editorial board at the Reno Gazette had also endorsed his candidacy.

Of important note, however, was that those filling the room were in the majority of the Mormon faith, though there were clearly many, many other groups represented. This block of voters will be Romney's mainstay in the Southwest and will give Romney an immediate lift as they will turn out in large numbers and they will deliver nearly a quarter of the total votes in some areas. Recognizing the significant disadvantage, the other candidates are noticeably absent and have all but conceded the race to Romney. Huckabee should also have a reasonable showing as there are many evangelicals in the southwest, but they are often less hostile towards Mormons, which means Romney should split that important vote.

As to Obama, he is also counting on the Mormon vote. If Romney is not the Republican candidate, look for Obama to cater directly to Mormons with the message of inclusion in order to take important southwestern states.

Obama Campaign Hopes Romney is Not the Nominee and Seeks Mormon Cross-over Votes

(Las Vegas, NV) -- An important source at the highest levels of the Obama Campaign in Nevada said Thursday that the Obama Campaign is most fearful of Mitt Romney coming out as the Republican candidate as he is dynamic and has a command of economic issues. This revelation came about as the Obama Campaign was inquiring to several Mormon civic leaders about a possible Mormon cross-over vote in the Southwest to Obama if Huckabee or McCain were to be the eventual nominee. The reliable source indicated that the Obama camp is currently implementing a plan to attract Mormon Moderate Republicans to their camp as a second choice to Romney, assuming he doesn't get the Republican nomination.

"I have grown up with Mormons all my life," the source stated "and I do not see them following McCain or Huckabee, so Obama can capture those votes and carry many of the Southwest states, including Arizona, if Obama can shave away only some of the Mormon vote."

Mormons represent an important voting audience in the West. Though only representing five to seven percent of the total population, the actual turn out of Mormons is nearly the highest of any major voting block. It is estimated that of actual persons voting, the Mormon block accounts for nearly twenty percent of actual voters.

In the West, Mitt Romney is relying upon the Mormon block to help him carry the day. With nearly twenty percent of the vote virtually in his pocket, he has the task of broadening his message to moderate evangelicals, and economic conservatives who are not of his faith. In a speech at Brady Industries Thursday night, Romney hit hard on Washington's failure to deliver any of the promises made in the past. The large banquet room was packed to capacity as former Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn joked to the crowd that he had asked a favor of the local fire marshal to turn a blind eye on the room capacity until Romney's speech was done. Not only was the room filled to capacity, but the staircase and lower lobby were also packed.

Romney noted that he had received the endorsement of the main Las Vegas paper, the Review-Journal, earlier that day and then flashed the good news that he had just learned before the speech that the editorial board at the Reno Gazette had also endorsed his candidacy.

Of important note, however, was that those filling the room were in the majority of the Mormon faith, though there were clearly many, many other groups represented. This block of voters will be Romney's mainstay in the Southwest and will give Romney an immediate lift as they will turn out in large numbers and they will deliver nearly a quarter of the total votes in some areas. Recognizing the significant disadvantage, the other candidates are noticeably absent and have all but conceded the race to Romney. Huckabee should also have a reasonable showing as there are many evangelicals in the southwest, but they are often less hostile towards Mormons, which means Romney should split that important vote.

As to Obama, he is also counting on the Mormon vote. If Romney is not the Republican candidate, look for Obama to cater directly to Mormons with the message of inclusion in order to take important southwestern states.