Romney wins Maine caucus & CPAC straw poll

[BDKJMU]

Romney wins Maine caucus contest

Mitt Romney is the winner of the Maine Republican presidential caucuses.

The state party announced Saturday evening that Romney received 39 percent of the vote in the state's nonbinding contest. Ron Paul came in second, with 36 percent.

The two were the only candidates to seriously contest the election. Romney won in 2008, but Paul has devoted his campaign resources to the state and was looking for his first win of the 2012 primary season.

Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich largely ignored the Maine contest, which marks the first step toward allocating the state's 24 delegates. Santorum is carefully choosing his targets, with the aim of pulling off decisive wins like he did in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri. Gingrich is focusing in the near-term on the 10 states holding primaries on March 6.

The caucus drew fewer than 5,500 voters from across the state four years ago. But Romney entered with an apparent advantage, having won by a wide margin in 2008 and been the governor of another New England state, Massachusetts.

He changed his schedule Friday night to add personal appearances at two caucuses Saturday; he had planned to take the day off. Paul also had several appearances on caucus day.

The Romney-Paul contest was unusual in that the two rarely spar or engage each other, on the debate stage or in ads. The nastiest campaign trail talk has been between Romney and Gingrich.

The candidates earlier in the day received the results of another contest -- the presidential straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Romney won the poll, with 38 percent, but Santorum was not far behind with 31 percent.

Paul had won the poll the last two years, but he did not attend this year's conference and came in last place.

The nonbinding Maine presidential straw poll, which began Feb. 4, drew virtually none of the hype surrounding recent elections in Florida and Nevada, where candidates poured millions of dollars into television and radio advertising.

The timing of the contest, though, raises the stakes.

The narrative coming out of Maine will likely reverberate in the political echo chamber for weeks, given there isn't another election until Arizona and Michigan host their contests Feb. 28.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/02 ... -caucuses/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TwinTownBisonFan]

3 point win in a new england beauty pageant and barely surviving the CPAC endorsement... hardly shining moments for Romney

[citdog]

[kalm]

As I've mentioned before, it really is too bad the Republicans couldn't get behind Ron Paul more. At least he would provide an interesting alternative. Everyone knows Obama is another douchebag politician but very few people are going to get fired up about a moderate Mormon who is basically the same thing.

Time to take a break before you start polishing up your pitchforks for '16.

[Ivytalk]

Still waiting for kalm to challenge Barry from the left. Kucinich punked out this year.

[Skjellyfetti]

So, about 8,000 people turned out?

Impressive!! Republicans seem really energized!!!!

[Bronco]

-
Occupy Mom’s Basement: 24% of 18 To 34 Year-Olds Have Moved Back In With Their Parents Because of Economy…
Via Pew Research:




Wait until they figure out they will have to pay back his spending spree

[Seahawks08]

Wait until they figure out they will have to pay back his spending spree

How, in any way, is your post related to the Maine caucuses?

[Ivytalk]

So, about 8,000 people turned out?

Impressive!! Republicans seem really energized!!!!

Almost as energized as all those Donks rushing to challenge The Chosen One!

[Ivytalk]

In other news, Kate Upton sweeps to victory in the Guam caucus!

[OL FU]

So, about 8,000 people turned out?

Impressive!! Republicans seem really energized!!!!

I get tickled when I read this because it is typical posting without understanding. It was a record turn out for the caucus in Maine( I believe held in Augusta only) that has no impact on delegate selection. sounds like more people were interested than in the past although for the life of me I don't understand why

[kalm]

Still waiting for kalm to challenge Barry from the left. Kucinich punked out this year.

I think Denny stayed out to spend more time with his semi-hot, red headed wife with a British accent.

I've thought about a third party candidacy. Do ya think Green or Constitutionalist? Will the campaign cut into football cause I'm planning on attending 8 regular season games this year.

[Ivytalk]

Still waiting for kalm to challenge Barry from the left. Kucinich punked out this year.

I think Denny stayed out to spend more time with his semi-hot, red headed wife with a British accent.

I've thought about a third party candidacy. Do ya think Green or Constitutionalist? Will the campaign cut into football cause I'm planning on attending 8 regular season games this year.

Kalm, I'd avoid the Greens at all costs. As the supporter of a team that plays on a red carpet, you'd have some 'splainin' to do!

The Constitutionalists don't sound progressive enough for you.

[kalm]

I think Denny stayed out to spend more time with his semi-hot, red headed wife with a British accent.

I've thought about a third party candidacy. Do ya think Green or Constitutionalist? Will the campaign cut into football cause I'm planning on attending 8 regular season games this year.

Kalm, I'd avoid the Greens at all costs. As the supporter of a team that plays on a red carpet, you'd have some 'splainin' to do!

The Constitutionalists don't sound progressive enough for you.

You might be right. Besides I would have to borrow some of Grizza's guns to gain admittence to one of their meetings.