One of the more interesting dynamics in the Republican race took shape today when Romney described his Nevada win as the result of a change in strategy. He said the campaign focused on delegate states instead of states where a win generates momentum (and, presumably, media attention). He said:
I'm not looking just to get a couple high-profile victories; I want to get delegates and I want to win this nomination.
Read More...
South Carolina, which in this case is the momentum state, carries fewer delegates than Nevada in the nomination process, yet that's where most of the GOP candidates focused their campaigns in recent weeks. It's the first southern state in the nomination race, candidates have typically sought to make a stand there to demonstrate their appeal to the evangelical Christian voters who hold tremendous sway among the party's southern base.
Romney was the only Republican to visit the Silver State in the run-up to today's vote, and Republicans there agree the attention helped him to victory. His Mormon religion gives some evangelical voters heartburn anyway, polls show.
Giuliani has taken a different approach. He largely skipped Iowa, New Hampshire, Michigan, Nevada and South Carolina in favour of Florida and the "super Tuesday" states that vote February 5. He told CNN today that he's at an advantage in Florida because he's already set up shop there, while his rivals will have to catch up when they join him tomorrow.
