Breaking News: Romney wins Maine caucus, McCain 2nd, Paul 3rd

Former Gov. Mitt Romney convincingly won the Maine Republican caucus tonight with about 52% of the vote.

The current GOP front-runner, Arizona Sen. John McCain, is running a distant second with 22% and Rep. Ron Paul, the libertarian-minded longshot, is in a very close third with 19% of the vote. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is trailing badly with only 5%.

With nearly two-thirds of the votes counted, Maine Republican Party Vice Chairman Scott Kauffman said, "It is very sure that former Gov. Romney wins the contest."

Although Maine does not carry the political clout of many other states, it could provide a helpful psychological boost going into nearly two dozen crucial Super Tuesday contests this week for Romney's forces, who lost to McCain in Florida, New Hampshire and South Carolina. Nearly half the delegates necessary to win the Republican nomination will be chosen Tuesday.

In a statement tonight, Romney, who was campaigning today in the upper Midwest after attending the funeral of Gordon Hinckley, the president of the Mormon church, in Salt Lake City, said, "Today the people of Maine joined those from across the nation in casting their vote for conservative change in Washington."

The actual number of Maine delegates he won in the non-binding caucuses will be determined at a state convention in May.

It was a disappointing night for Ron Paul. The campaign of the 72-year-old, 10-term congressman from Texas with the well-financed campaign had hoped to pull an upset in independent-minded Maine. And he did come close to embarrassing McCain for second place, which Paul also won in the Louisiana and Nevada caucuses.

Maine Democrats hold their statewide caucuses next weekend.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Gene]

If the delegates selected are non-binding its seems the delegates will go where ever the political winds end up in May. So, essentially, the last man standing.

[Christopher]

Why are you declaring Ron Paul 3rd when only 67% results are in and he is 2% behind McCain. He was acually leading McCain for most of the day so its very possible to predict he will beat McCain when the last 33% of votes are counted.

I think that is not showing a very ethical level of journalism.

(Got nothing to do with ethics. It's reality. He's in 3rd place. Live with it. Two-thirds counted, which we say. If it changes that's new news and we report it. But your hope doesn't make it n ews. Sorry.)

[sherrie]

just think where RON PAUL would be if he actually had fair media coverage. his integrity and his platform's appeal need to be known. such an injustice to him and to the citizens of this country. the media has lost so much credibility. i no longer have any respect for them as they have cheated the american people. the greedy corporate elite is responsible for the demise of our once great nation.

[Tony]

When you mean, won the caucus, do you mean won the most delegates or won the popular vote? As a journalist, it would be your duty to point that out.

[Carl]

yes Romney is correct, there will be a very conservative change in washington. Status quo for everyone. Good Game.

[HN]

I was slightly disappointed, though the total vote count is not in yet...we could still beat McCain. STILL, you have to realize, here is a candidate (Dr. Paul) who barely gets any free media coverage, to the point where many people thought he dropped out...and yet he crushes Huckabee. Huckabee is gone, outta here, buh-bye.

You see, Dr. Paul has a strategy, and it's working. One by one he's been picking off candidates, and I have a strong feeling McCain is next. I remember when Ron Paul was trailing to Huckabee, the way he's trailing now to McCain.

I'm glad Romney won first...if anything it helps stress that there is still no clear leader in the GOP, which is again, good for Dr. Paul. Dr. Paul is gaining, and tonight was again a great showing. The so-called 'front-runner' McCain almost got beat by Dr. Paul, so this is nothing for us to be disappointed about.

I seriously hope some major networks show Ron Paul because he is really gaining. Thank you Malcolm for the article.

(You're welcome. But that's my job. Thanks for coming here. Hope you do it often.)

[Raj Tillai]

Is it really that disappointing for Dr. Paul though?

Sure, he came in third place. But if you think about it, he received 1 out of 5 votes. That's pretty good for someone that Corporate Media refuses to really report on.

The problem is that people think that their throwing away their vote on Dr. Paul, because they don't believe he would be able to receive the nomination, but it's this mentality that leads to the low support. It's a sad cycle.

[Grunta]

Funny how 19 percent of the vote can be construed as "disappointing".
If a candidate is running a campaign of steadily ascending voting returns,
and nineteen percent represents a midpoint between starting with nothing and achieving the republican nomination for the US Presidency, then ninteen percent represents ongoing success in educating the American public. Afterall, the incumbent machine is taking this candidate very seriously, and is being forced to pull out all stops to prevent the constituency from hearing his message....

[Claudio Gomes]

To Christopher:

If there is an ethical level of journalism available to us, we willl find it here. Mr. Malcolm is virtually the only well-known journalist covering Dr. Paul. You can come here every day and find a good article about RP. Thank You Mr. Malcolm for your good and fair journalism.

[John Allen]

Romney is an excellent candidate and for conservatives who are sick at the thought of a McCain nomination, it is time to unite behind Romney. He won't let us down!

[Erik Rinne]

Ron Paul is right when he says that our foreign policy is hopelessly entangled. Right now we are broke because we invaded the country of our former ally (Saddam Hussein), so therefore we are borrowing billions from our former enemy (China) to give billions to the dictator of Pakistan (assuming he doesn't siphon the billions for himself) to hunt down Bin Laden, who used to our ally against the Russians, who are now our friends (kinda sorta). As Romney correctly said, this is 3-dimensional chess.

[James]

McCain had the endorsement of both of Maine's senators and he still lost by 30% to Romney. Romney should get the nomination. He received over 50% of the vote in Nevada as well. Romney is the best candidate running in the primaries and he is the most qualified to become President.
Romney '08

The Washington Post reported today about how much of the GOP in Arizona is against him including the Chair of the Republican party in McCain's home district. He referred to McCain as a liar.

[Diane]

Woohoo Ron Paul.

I love that man.

Regarless of what happens with this race, I believe that history will be very kind to the good doctor.

[Peter]

Andrew,
I'm not going to keep defending you. You're a big boy. You can take it.

And I know that I don't have to remind you that Ron Paul supporters sincerely appreciate you. Some of us don't realise that you're probably kind of sticking your neck out by writing so many articles that include Ron Paul.

We're not sore losers. We're just deperate for some good news. And actually, all things considering, this is really good news. The old Doctor, bless his heart, is hanging in there. He's a fighter. And that's one of the reasons why we Ron Paul supporters love the old man so much.

He's a tough old Cowboy.

But this isn't a Hollywood Movie. This is reality. And good (or what we believe is good) doesn't always win.

And by the way. You might have everyone else fooled. But you don't fool me. I can read between the lines. I can see a wee little bit of favoritism in there.

You closet RP supporter you.

Peter :)

(Peter, you're one of my favorite readers. So reasoned. So you know we really don't take sides here. If supporters of one candidate focus on one item or another, they might think we favor or oppose someone. But we try to be equal opportunity offenders. And over time, if a reader can set aside their cheering for one candidate, hope they will see we're pretty fair. I've said before, Dr. Paul is an interesting political story. His supporters who have gathered in such numbers seemingly spontaneously built around ideas are, despite some occasional crudeness, an even better story to tell. And that's what we do, is tell stories. So we intend to continue to do that. I've got a good one coming on one particular supporter of Dr. Paul's that you'll really enjoy. Hope to do it soon. Be well. And thanks for still reading--and commenting.)

[Katrina]

Congratulations Mitt Romney! I'm impressed with Romney's integrity and intelligence. His debate performances were terrific and he stayed a gentleman through all the attacks of his fellow Republican candidates. Romney is someone I would be proud to have as president. I'll be voting for Romney in California on Tuesday.

[Doug D]

Hey, isn't it time to start calling Huckabee the "long shot" candidate? Ron Paul has far more volunteers and a lot more cash on hand. Any momentum Huckabee had from his win in Iowa is long gone by now.

I guess Ron Paul will always be the "longest of long shots" despite outlasting Tommy Thompson, Jim Gilmore, Sam Brownback, Tom Tancredo, Duncan Hunter, John Cox, Alan Keyes, Fred Thompson, and Rudy Giuliani, and despite having more actual grassroots supporter than anyone else, and despite raising more money in the fourth quarter than the other Republicans.

But no, what makes me think the media is biased? (Nothing personal against Andrew, he's done a great job of covering Ron Paul in recent months.)

[rob]

This discussion reminds me of Nader's 2000 bid. He was almost entirely excluded from the 'news' and when he was mentioned it was only as a 'spoiler'. His ideas were not unlike Paul's, in that they were so 'off message' as to be threatening to the corporate power elite.
Unlike Nader, though, Paul isn't a third party candidate and he can tell the truth and make an ass of McCain in the debates. I would be surprised if he doesn't take California.

[DX10]

Given the makeup of the electorate in that neck of the woods I would not have expected anything else. And, as a Dr. Paul supporter I am not disappointed. Looks pretty good to me. Thanks Andrew.

[Mjack]

Thank you for covering this article and presenting Ron Paul.

Go Ron Paul!

[WTF?]

Why are you declaring a winner already when only 68% of the votes are in? For all you know the next 32% that come in could change the current status..

(Well, you can hope that every vote left to count is for Dr. Paul sufficient to take him from 19% to 53%. But the reality is that's unlikely. And the party's vice chair has declared a winner, which is what we're reporting. You'll have to live with it. Maybe Dr. Paul can creep past Sen. McCain into second. That's another good story!)

[mike]

It's just a blog folks. Don't take it so seriously. This is someone's opinion only. There is no level of professional journalism here. Most bloggers are not paid. Lying is not illegal. Headlines bring hits and readers. Continue to vote your conscience and be smarter info consumers. Thank you Mr. Andrew Malcolm for your post.Your style of blogging has been noted by the general public.

(Thanks for the kind words. I'm certainly enjoying the writing and telling stories and the give and take with regular readers like you. P.S. We do get paid, though, of course, never enough. Now, if we could get paid by the click or the comment....)

[Herbi Rihiratu]

I think this going the way it should given emphasis to the MSM leading American like sheep, and how Ron Paul campaign is starting to accelerate. What is lacking now is some momentum to be able to increase the speed of the votes coming for Ron Paul.
Republican party is outsmarted by the liberals and neoCons to allow John Mc Cain who is not a conservative to have a shot at the nomination. If they do not back a strong conservative fast enough then the neocons and liberals will successfully hi jacked the party. So the choice is Ron Paul or Mitt Romney.

I as a Ron Paul supporter of course choose Ron Paul over Romney because of the obvious reason that Romney do not have the integrity, experience, constitutional position that Ron Paul has. So how do we get Ron Paul to the white house? What are his chances?

Ron Paul got the endorsement of Alabama and Montana which both are republican state. What's interesting and important is how the other strong republican state haven't begin nomination process. States like Indiana, South Dakota, Mississippi, Kentucky, Montana, Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina. I think it is essential for Ron Paul to campaign in these states heavily ahead of time to be able to gain momentum. We hope these states agree that John McCain is not a true conservatives. About Romney I think he's dangerous as far as his deep wallet goes but competitively, McCain is more dangerous than him.
Should the Meet Up groups turn into Precinct Leadership in those states, then Ron Paul can be ahead of the curve and chances are he will win the nomination. If he win the nomination, there is no doubt he win the Presidency.

Go Ron Paul!
Champion of the Constitution

[Alvin]

Do not discount the strength of the conservative core of the Republican party. McCain may have the backing of the main stream media, the DNC and other people eager to jump on the bandwagon (Rudy, last week you proposed the largest tax cut in American history, this week you endorse one of only two Republican senators who voted against the Bush tax cuts.....huh?).
The support of Romney is building........

[badunit]

I can't believe I am living in a country full of Clowns, what kind of circus is this. Will there be no state to move to after this is all over. My brother was telling me he was helping serve food at a banquet of people that were looking to buy houses in a high end subdivision. The prices of the houses were way upper middle class at the time. People at the banquet came over to the table and started to carve up varnished bread that was laquered with real varnish to make a decorative display. It was not meant to be eaten. He thought for a minute about telling them about it but then he figured that maybe if they were going to pay that much for those houses maybe it wasn't really his place to tell them what they should eat...I mean after all even though they had enough money to buy the houses they didn't have the sense not to eat varnished bread.
Romney will fix our budget by taking out a big loan right before the next depression ...McCain will make sure your 10 year old kid will get to grow up and see Iraq in person...Huckabee will have you kneeling to say the pledge of allegence... and Ron Paul wants sound money and freedom...
Maybe my brother was right, who am I to tell you who to vote for president. Want a glass of water with that big Romney McCain Huckabee sandwich, cause I think you're gonna choke on it.

[Alice]

Ron Paul is the man.
Freedom is the plan!