LAS VEGAS - Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney plans on racing ahead of the Republican presidential field all the way to the White House.
"I'm so happy to be back in Nevada," he told supporters Wednesday night.
Romney spoke inside a warehouse at Brady Industries, a wholesale cleaning supply company. He stepped up his attacks on President Obama.
"This president has failed the American people. He was giving the State of the Union address just about a week ago and talked about how well things are going. I'm afraid he's detached from reality," Romney said.
Romney criticized the president for a comment he says Obama made three years ago on national television.
"He said, 'Look, if I can't turn this economy around in three years, I'll be looking at a one-term proposition,' and we're here to collect. Alright, we're taking it back," Romney said.
Romney blasted what he calls out of control government spending.
"Each year, he's spending about a trillion dollars more than we take in," Romney said. "If I'm president, I will repeal Obamacare and return health care to the public citizens of America."
Romney supporters are optimistic.
"I think he's the most dramatic," said Romney supporter Tom Bradley. "He's probably, in my opinion, our only choice."
Democrats, meanwhile, attacked Romney for comments they said he made on the housing crisis.
"The last time Governor Romney came to Nevada, he told homeowners facing foreclosure that they need to hit bottom, that they are on their own, and tonight, he offered no apologies for it," said Nevada Democratic Party Communications Director Zach Hudson.
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Two protesters held signs and tried to accost Romney. He quickly pulled his hand away from one of them. Their shouts were drowned out by cheers from Romney supporters.
"I think he's sincere in what he wants to do," said Romney supporter Jerry Pratt.
"He's going to win by a landslide," added Romney supporter Bruce Bennion.
While Governor Romney didn't mention Republican opponents Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum by name Wednesday night, voters can expect an onslaught of mudslinging in the days leading up to Saturday's caucus.
