Republicans move slowly, confidently toward ‘08 caucus

Michael J. Mishak

Monday, June 11, 2007 | 7:02 a.m.

Republican presidential candidates are taking the first steps in building campaigns for Nevada's new early caucus, moving at a pace far behind those of Democratic contenders who have been organizing in Nevada since late last year.

Each of the party's top three contenders - John McCain, Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney - has hired local political consultants, but the hires have been shrouded in secrecy.

The Romney campaign's response is typical: A spokeswoman said the campaign expects to announce "updates on additions to our organization" in the next few weeks.

The Nevada Republican Party has been playing catch-up on its presidential caucus most of the year. The party decided in April to move the date to coincide with the Democratic contest on Jan. 19. The Democrats chose that date last August.

The small steps by the Republican candidates are a sign they are reluctant to give away strategy or commit too many resources to the state when the election calendar is in such flux. The calendar is more compressed than ever, as dozens of states jockey for position in hopes that an early primary will bring newfound influence. More than 20 states, including California and New York, have either scheduled primary contests for Feb. 5 or signaled their intentions to do so. That front-loading has forced campaigns to make tough choices about where to spend time and money.

Florida made matters worse last month by moving its primary to Jan. 29, upsetting South Carolina's traditional role as the first presidential contest in the South.

The changing landscape has Republicans, desperate for an edge, seeking flexibility.

Nevertheless, Nevada Republicans are confident the presidential candidates will take the state seriously.

"I can't imagine them ignoring us," said Sue Lowden, chairwoman of the Nevada Republican Party. "Clearly our candidates understand that to win Nevada would be a huge bump for them going into Feb. 5."

Lowden said the state party has been contacted by the campaigns of the top three Republican contenders, in addition to representatives of former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, who recently signaled intentions to join the race. ("He's putting out a lot of feelers," Lowden said of Thompson.)

Peverill Squire, a professor of political science at the University of Iowa and a caucus expert, said Republicans can't afford to skip Nevada, especially given the media attention the Democratic caucus has attracted.

For now, Republicans appear to be waiting for the other guy to make the first move. "As soon as one decides it's worthwhile, the rest will have to scramble," Squire said.

So far, McCain is the only Republican to campaign here in earnest. He spoke in Las Vegas in April, included Elko on his campaign announcement tour the next week and hosted a town hall in Reno last month.

Giuliani and Romney collected checks at Nevada fundraisers earlier in the year but haven't been back to campaign since the state party made its caucus date official.

None of the three has the state on his schedule this month.

Lowden said critics are making too much of state party preparations. "I don't think it's a very difficult process," Lowden said. "For those who have been involved with the party, they know what a precinct meeting is."

Caucus director Hans Gullickson, former executive director of the Colorado Republican Party, said the party is ready for the challenge, citing able leadership and an energized volunteer base. "There is more than enough time," he said. "I'm not even remotely concerned."

One reason for that confidence is that Republicans are going smaller. Democrats plan to host caucus meetings at as many as 1,000 locations. Republicans plan fewer than 100, said Pete Ernaut, a Republican lobbyist who is heading the caucus effort.

The smaller scale means fewer volunteers. Ernaut estimates the party will need 500 people, as opposed to the 2,000 the Democrats seek.

The party has identified all the precinct captains for meetings in Lincoln County, an important Republican stronghold, and will start caucus training sessions in the next few weeks, Lowden said. Efforts had been on hold, she said, because party leaders were engaged in a contentious legislative session.

"There's excitement within the party," Lowden said. "This is history being made. There's a lot of Republicans that want to be a part of that."