Amodei endorses Romney for GOP nomination

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Mark Amodei on Wednesday endorsed Mitt Romney for president, as the former Massachusetts governor moved to cement his front-runner status among Nevada Republicans.

Amodei maintained Romney is positioned best among GOP contenders to unseat President Barack Obama.

"No disrespect to the other guys, but I'm looking at who do I think has the best chance in terms of background, private sector and governing experience, and also who can run a campaign that will change who is in the White House," Amodei said.

"This is the underlying thing: I want the Republicans to win in November 2012," Amodei said. "For my value judgment, this guy has been around for a while. I think he has been pretty fully vetted."

But as Amodei got behind Romney, he also said he disagreed with the candidate's view that the housing crisis in Nevada and elsewhere should be left to the private sector. In a meeting at the Review-Journal this month, the candidate said the foreclosure process should be allowed to "run its course and hit the bottom."

"I don't agree with that," Amodei said. "The reality is the government has a role to play. The details are in how big a role and how best to play it."

"What the government has been doing so far is not a great recipe for success," Amodei said. "I think there is a role for government, but not an all-encompassing role."

Amodei became the third senior GOP leader in Nevada to back Romney, joining Rep. Joe Heck and Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki. Gov. Brian Sandoval has endorsed Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Sen. Dean Heller has not endorsed anyone.

According to a poll this week, Romney has opened a lead among Republicans likely to take part in Nevada's GOP presidential caucus, which has been rescheduled for Feb. 4.

The survey of Nevada Republicans by Magellan Strategies showed Romney with 38 percent of votes and businessman Herman Cain second with 26 percent. Former House speaker Newt Gingrich was third with 16 percent. Perry had 5 percent support.

With the crowded field of Republican presidential candidates, many party leaders have been slow to endorse. Public perception of Perry, Cain, and Rep. Michele Bachmann has waxed and waned through recent debates. Romney appears to be tightening a hold on front-runner status even as some Republicans continue to question his policies and values.

During a Capitol Hill meeting with about 75 Republican lawmakers Wednesday, Romney was pressed on abortion, health and gay marriage, according to news accounts of the session. Romney has collected endorsements from about three dozen Republicans in Congress.

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760.