Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney in Las Vegas after winning the Nevada caucuses. (Photo: EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Republican front-runner Mitt Romney cruised to victory in the Nevada caucuses Saturday night, notching a second straight triumph over a field of presidential rivals suddenly struggling to keep pace.
The former Massachusetts governor held a double-digit lead over his nearest pursuer as the totals mounted in a state where fellow Mormons accounted for roughly a quarter of all caucus-goers.
Romney thanked supporters and used his victory celebration to blast President Obama's performance on the economy, saying the president's "misguided policies made these tough times last longer."
"We're not going to settle for a president who tells us, 'It could be worse,' " Romney said.
He said the decline in joblessness reported in federal figures for January was welcome, but he said the improvement was a result of business innovation "and not to you, Mr. President."
"Mr. President, Nevada has had enough of your kind of help. ... America has also had enough of your kind of help," Romney said.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Rep. Ron Paul vied for a distant second. Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum trailed the field.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)