Romney Rolling in Latest Nevada Poll

|| Mitt Romney has a 20 point lead over Newt Gingrich in the latest Nevada polling. ||

New Hampshire West.

Much like New Hampshire was, Nevada is Mitt Romney territory.  He won the state in 2008 with 51% of the vote and robust Mormon community in the Silver State should propel the former Massachusetts Governor to victory here once again in 2012.  The latest Las Vegas Review-Journal poll has Romney with a 20 point lead over Newt Gingrich.

Mitt Romney has opened a double digit lead over rival New Gingrich in Nevada, according to a new poll of likely Republican caucus-goers.  The Las Vegas Review-Journal and 8NewsNow poll released Thursday showed Romney with 45% support followed by Gingrich with 25%, Rick Santorum with 11% and Ron Paul with 9%.

Nevada Republican Presidential Poll:

1. Mitt Romney — 45%
2. Newt Gingrich — 25%
3. Rick Santorum — 11%
4. Ron Paul — 9%

After a nearly 15 point victory in Florida, this 20 point lead in Nevada will have Republican insiders bringing up the inevitable talk once again.  Sure, there are 45 states remaining after Nevada and a vast majority of the party’s delegates are not committed, but in many ways perception is reality.  The true believers will follow their candidate whoever how he is doing in the polls, but as long as Mitt Romney can advance the perception that he is the man, the party’s sheep will follow.

As for the rest of the GOP gang, Newt Gingrich is hoping for a Nevada boost later today, while Rick Santorum is struggling just to get noticed.  One would expect with Nevada being a caucus state that Ron Paul would be doing a little bit better than 9%, but since it is a closed caucus he is not.