After Saturday, the presidential candidates will absolutely return to Nevada

Nevada seems like the center of the political universe right now, as pundits from across the nation focus on the January 19 presidential caucuses. After next Saturday, there will surely be a lull in political activity here – but expect that to be only temporary. Competition later this year for Nevada’s five electoral votes will be intense.

In the last four presidential elections, no other states have had as many close races as Nevada:

• 2004: George W. Bush over John Kerry, 50%-48%
• 2000: George W. Bush over Al Gore, 50%-46%
• 1996: Bill Clinton over Bob Dole, 44%-43% -- a margin of just 4,690 votes
• 1992: Bill Clinton over George H.W. Bush, 37%-35%