Romney wins Nevada caucuses

Mitt Romney has won the Nevada Republican caucuses, CNN and the Associated Press have projected.

With 10 percent of precincts reporting, Romney has 51 percent of the vote, compared to 37 percent for John McCain. CNN and the AP are using entrance polls to project a comfortable win for Romney, who in polls as late as Friday had a 15-percentage-point edge.

"Today, the people of Nevada voted for change in Washington," Romney said in a statement. "For far too long, our leaders have promised to take the action necessary to build a stronger America, and still the people of Nevada and all across this country are waiting. Whether it is reforming health care, making America energy independent or securing the border, the American people have been promised much and are now ready for change.

"The need for change is even more apparent today as our economy faces challenges both here at home and abroad," continued Romney, who today proposed a $250 billion economic stimulus package. "For decades, we have talked about the long-term economic challenges confronting our country but still the tax burden is too high, business is stifled by regulations and more money goes to defending against junk lawsuits than promoting research and innovation. Now, Washington must act and take the steps necessary to strengthen our economy. With a career spent turning around businesses, creating jobs and imposing fiscal discipline, I am ready to get my hands on Washington and turn it inside out."

Romney was boosted by the support of fellow Mormons, who comprised a quarter of those attending the caucuses, according to the entrance polls. More than nine in 10 of them voted for Romney, according to early results from the survey conducted for The Associated Press and television networks.

Romney now has won the Michigan primary, Wyoming caucuses, and Nevada caucuses. He downplayed the South Carolina primary, where his main rivals are battling it out today, calculating that he had a better chance to win in Nevada, which has more delegates.

He is already on the way to Florida, the next big prize for Republicans on Jan. 29.