Mitt Romney Takes Nevada Caucus Victory

COMMENTARY | Mitt Romney is solidifying his position as the top contender for the Republican nomination for president. His latest win was at the Nevada caucus on Saturday and it was not even close. By a double-digit margin, the candidate defeated his fellow Republicans.

Newt Gingrich secured second place with Ron Paul not too far behind. Rick Santorum was a distant fourth. This was the second victory in a row for Romney, who had recently won the Florida primary. It seems, at this point, the front leader will be difficult to defeat and that he is likely to get the nomination, but things can change.

Whoever is selected to be the GOP nominee will have a tough road ahead. Although Paul has stated he is focused on running as a Republican, he has previously run as a third party candidate. If he were to do so again, he would be most likely to take votes away from the Republican candidate, as his views would most align with that party.

This would make current President Barack Obama more likely to take the victory. Even if Paul does not run as a third party, the Republican nominee will still have a tough road. Polls do tend to show a race between a generic Republican and Obama would be a dead heat, but when voters are asked to choose between a specific candidate and Obama, Obama tends to win.

This primary race has been very contentious and that is one more problem for the party. The longer the divisive primary season continues, the less likely it is that the party members will be able to come together to vote for the selected nominee.

It is also true that the longer the candidates have to stay in primary mode, the less chance there is that the candidates will be able to pull back and appeal to more moderate voters. This election is likely going to be won or lost with the moderate voters. It would be beneficial to the party if a candidate were selected sooner, rather than later.