NEVADA VOTES TODAY – AT 11:08 A.M. ET:   The Nevada caucuses are today.  As we've noted, Mitt Romney is expected to win big.

National Journal is reporting that Newt Gingrich, instead of the usual post-caucus party or statement, will hold a press conference:

Instead of the traditional election night party, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will hold a press conference after the Nevada Caucus on Saturday, raising new speculation about his future in the race.

An e-mail sent to reporters on Saturday morning set the Las Vegas press conference for 11 p.m. to midnight Eastern time.

Gingrich has had a rough time on the trail ahead of the Nevada caucuses, the first presidential contest in the West. Sources in or close to his campaign gave reporters incorrect information that Donald Trump would endorse Gingrich (he endorsed rival Mitt Romney). Gingrich also missed a meeting with the Silver State's popular governor, Brian Sandoval, a Rick Perry supporter who was viewed as a possible Gingrich endorsement after Perry dropped out and endorsed the former House Speaker, according to The New York Times.

A Las Vegas Review-Journal—KLAS-TV poll released on Friday gave Romney a large 20-point lead over Gingrich heading into Saturday's caucus.

COMMENT:  It's hard to see a way forward for either Newt Gingrich or Rick Santorum unless one of them drops out and the anti-Romney forces unite around one candidate.  That doesn't mean Romney has it sewn up.  As we've seen in this contest, anything can happen, including someone new plunging in. 

We'll have to see what Gingrich will reveal at his press conference.  My greatest concern is not that.  It's that, under the radar, Obama is strengthening his position day by day.  Do not underestimate his political operation, which is as professional as it is deceptive.

February 4, 2012