NEVADA — With only five days left until the Iowa caucuses, Rep. Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., is hitting the state hard in what he’s calling a victory tour.

Gephardt spoke to about 150 supporters and potential caucus-goers in Nevada Wednesday.

“I’m proud to be the only candidate for president who voted against the two worst trade bills of the last decade — NAFTA and the China trade deal … But John Kerry, Joe Lieberman, Howard Dean and Wesley Clark, who all supported NAFTA, are now acting like they fought against it,” Gephardt said.

He went on to criticize former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.

“Howard — Democrats are not animals in need of red meat. After four years of George Bush, we just need honesty for a change,” Gephardt said.

Gephardt, who trails Dean by three points in a Zogby International poll, also took jabs at President Bush.

“George Bush has squandered the economy, abused the environment, jeopardized our children and insulted the world. This president has cloaked the White House in arrogance and deceit,” he said. “When it comes to the economy, this MBA president has no Plan B. But then again, George Bush ran three oil companies into the ground before he became president.”

Gephardt also touched on several of his policy issues, including health care for all Americans, a plan to encourage young people to become teachers by helping them pay off their student loans and an energy plan he said would eliminate the United States’ dependence on foreign oil.

“He was very impressive,” said Claudia Fisher of rural Colo.

“I think he’s for the working people, and I think he’ll bring jobs back.”

But not everyone in attendance had made up their minds about supporting Gephardt.

“I have never attended one of [Gephardt’s] meetings,” said Leonard Anderson, a bus driver from Story City.

Anderson, a self-described inventor, said he would like to see a candidate that will change the current patent laws.

“He wants our help [to get elected]; I want his help to make it easier to get a patent,” he said.

Anderson said he was impressed with Gephardt’s speech, but probably will not make a decision until caucus night.

As caucus night draws nearer, various politicians and media organizations are endorsing candidates.

On Tuesday, Gephardt received the endorsement of Iowa Farmers Union President Gary Hoskey.

In a statement released by Gephardt’s office, Hoskey pointed to the farm crisis of the early 1980s in explaining why he is supporting Gephardt.

“It was Dick Gephardt and Tom Harkin who came to the rescue of not only my family, but family farms in rural communities all over the country,” he said in the statement.

Hoskey’s endorsement is a personal endorsement, and not that of the Iowa Farmers Union.