"Most people on the shortlist of 2012 Republican candidates made Nevada appearances before the November election (Gingrich, Romney and 2008 vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin all came through), to support the Republican slate, but also to forge local relationships that could later help their campaigns.
Leading up to the 2008 election, Romney was the only candidate who put serious effort into campaigning in Nevada. It paid off; he won the Republican caucus with slightly more than half the votes despite a crowded field of contenders. Ron Paul worked at a ground game, too, but he relied mostly on volunteers, whereas Romney paid a staff and hired local consultants."
GOP presidential hopefuls paying attention to Nevada
Las Vegas Sun:
