But Root, 45, feels the Republican Party no longer represents his ideals of social and economic freedom. He is pro-gay marriage, anti-warrantless wiretapping, anti-tax and anti-regulation. He's also strongly pro-gambling, including Internet gambling.

"Do you know what they're trying to do in Massachusetts today?" he excitedly asked a visitor to his Henderson mansion, whose walls are lined with framed photos of Root with politicians, framed covers of his books and mounted layouts of his appearances in the media. "They're trying to pass a law that a dog in a car has to wear a seat belt! Government is out of control!"

Scott Lieberman, a member of the Libertarian Party's national committee, said Root wowed an audience of about 80 party faithful at a candidates' forum at a state party convention in California last month.

"Wayne is a salesman. He can sell these ideas. He's the person to beat as far as I'm concerned," Lieberman said.

Although Root has been active in Libertarian Party politics since early this year, he is still a registered Republican, according to the Clark County Election Department.

Root's competitors for the Libertarian nomination include a physics professor, a medical-marijuana advocate, a radio show host and a few others. In 2004, the party's nominee was an obscure Texas computer programmer named Michael Badnarik. He was on presidential ballots in 48 states, including Nevada, and got 397,000 votes. Among minor parties, that was second only to Ralph Nader's 464,000 votes.

Root is talking to 2004 World Series of Poker champion Greg Raymer about joining the ticket as his running mate. He also is filming a reality-show pilot about his campaign that he hopes to shop to television networks.