In Washoe County, for instance, Democrats have narrowed the GOP's long-standing registration edge to about 2,300 voters, compared with a GOP lead of 14,500 in the last presidential race. Registration continues until mid-October. Obama plans to stop in Reno today.
Republicans, by contrast, have been in disarray. The caucuses, pushed forward to coincide with the Democratic contest, drew only about a third as many participants; McCain finished third behind former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Rep. Ron Paul of Texas.
This summer, the national party had to step in to ensure a pro-McCain delegation was seated at the convention in St. Paul, Minn. (Some Republicans fret McCain could lose Nevada if Paul supporters stay mad.)
The governor, embarrassed by a series of scandals, has been sidelined from the presidential contest; McCain passed over Gibbons and made the lieutenant governor, Brian K. Krolicki, chairman of his Nevada campaign.
Still, the Arizona senator enjoys certain advantages, not least a contrarian image that has distanced him from the unpopular president and suits many in a state where "Live and let live" is the unofficial motto.
"I don't think any Republican outside of McCain would stand a snowball's chance of winning," said Gorka, citing the GOP's "bad brand" and "the drag of the White House."
For all his success, Obama continues to labor under the image of a national Democratic Party many equate with big government and higher taxes, two things fiercely opposed by Nevadans -- especially the large number of independents who often decide state races.
Robert Kirkbride, one of those independents, said McCain might not represent "a big difference from what we have now," but at least that's better than what his opponent offers.
"Obama is talking about change, but his only change is higher taxes," said Kirkbride, 46, a software engineer with tattoos running down his ropy arms. "McCain may end up raising taxes too, but at least not right away."
Obama has said he would cut taxes for 95% of working families and increase them only for individuals making more than $200,000 and families making more than $250,000 a year. McCain opposes any tax hikes and would make permanent the tax cuts enacted under Bush.
