Stories from around Las Vegas on GOP caucus day

VENDOR SELLS AMERICAN, REPUBLICAN

To a capitalist, having lots of like-minded people in one place means only one thing: a business opportunity.

Chris Steele and his son, Collin, laid out an array of bumper stickers, buttons and T-shirts Saturday on a table outside the Republican caucus site at Centennial High School.

Steele, who lives in Park City, Utah, said he and his family came to town just for this. His wife and another son were at another caucus site doing the same thing.

He was selling Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney paraphernalia only, though. Nothing featuring Ron Paul or Rick Santorum. Too expensive.

"We wanted everything to be made in America," Steele explained. "The stuff is so much more expensive."

So, he kept his principles intact and went with a limited selection instead of opting for overseas manufacturing.

He said he also keeps his principles intact by not going anywhere near the Barack Obama stuff.

"We're staunch Republicans," he said. "We don't do Democrat stuff."

Richard Lake

'OBAMA' ALL WET AT PARKING LOT EVENT

As the crowd began to leave the Centennial High School Republican caucus site Saturday morning, Assembly candidate Michele Fiore gathered her campaign volunteers in the parking lot. Though she opted out of bringing a bounce house for children -- she figured not many people would bring their kids -- she did bring a barbecue grill, hot dogs, bottled water and a water balloon contraption.

"We just want to make this light and fun," Fiore said.

Campaign volunteer Justin Loveall, who was grilling the hot dogs, smiled. Fiore looked at him.

"It's warm enough," she said. "Let's do it. Put your Obama mask on. I'm so excited by this."

Loveall stretched the mask over his head. He positioned himself under a water balloon that was part of a contraption similar to a dunk tank. You throw a ball at a target and it breaks the balloon over someone's head.

In this case, Loveall's head.

"Who's going to throw the ball?" Fiore asked.

"You are!" a small crowd of mostly campaign volunteers answered.

She took three shots, but missed the target. So, she just whacked it with her hand. The water balloon burst atop Loveall's head.

Fiore cracked up.

"Obama!" she said, still laughing. "Thank you!"

Richard Lake

EVENT CELEBRATES NATURALIZED CITIZENS

While journalists prepared to cover Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich's speech after the Nevada caucuses, a bipartisan event for naturalized citizens was being held in another ballroom at The Venetian on Saturday night.

Demetrio Rodriguez, one of the honorees, owned his own mini-mart for six years before Las Vegas' sluggish economy forced him to shut it down. He was hired at another grocery store, but was laid off after two years.

Now the 17-year resident of Las Vegas is enrolled in classes, preparing to earn his GED.

"He is here legally and as along as he's healthy and able to work, that's what he is striving to do," said his wife Bertha Rodriguez, who interpreted for her 68-year-old husband.

Rodriguez was one of about 400 Hispanics honored Saturday by the Americans for Prosperity Foundation-Nevada. Each attendee was either a naturalized citizen or preparing to become naturalized.

The organization held the event to recognize Hispanics who overcame challenges to immigrate to the United States.

It honored those who work hard to uphold the Constitution and give back to the community.

Rep. Dean Heller, D-Nev., applauded Hispanics who live and work in the United States legally. "This is what we should be celebrating," he said.

Honorees lined up to have their photos taken with Heller and Gov. Brian Sandoval .

Earlier Saturday afternoon when it became clear that Mitt Romney was running away with the Nevada caucus, NBC senior political analyst Chuck Todd suggested that he invite Sandoval to be his running mate.

Todd said Hispanics typically support Democrats and Sandoval could attract the Hispanic vote.

When asked about it Saturday evening, Sandoval quickly dismissed any notion of a Romney-Sandoval ticket.

"I am humbled to hear that," Sandoval said at The Venetian. "I have the best job in the United States. If he asked, I would respectfully decline. I intend to serve my full term."

Adrienne Packer