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

[BobLosAngeles]

Newsworthy is the trend. In actual elections and in national polls, Dr. Paul's support is increasing. Financial support is down, slightlly, and part of the apparent gain in Dr. Paul's popularity is that there are fewer candidates with whom he must compete. Still, this Ron Paul supporter is heartened, and anything but disappointed, by what this campaign has done and will do.

If politics is the art of what is possible, then Dr. Paul is changing what is possible. Revolutionary may be too strong. Influential may be too weak. Consider that issues that were off the radar one year ago are on screens worldwide because of this campaign. For just one example, today in Maine, a candidate who vows to pardon all non-violent drug prisoners is garnering almost 20% of the vote in a state caucus. In our country of drug Czars and the ritual persecution of drug users, this is an extraordinary achievement. Dr. Paul touches the drug war political third rail, yet his campaign not only is alive, but is strengthening.

One more issue example. Foreign intervention. Rudy threw Dr. Paul onto the third rail, saying "I ask the Congressman to take that back" or some such, when some months ago, at a nationally televised debate, Dr. Paul argued that U.S. intervention in the Middle East motivated the 9/11 attacks. Dr. Paul took it forward. Today, the causes of terrorism have become and remain a visible national issue, mostly because Dr. Paul continues to speak, to debate, and his supporters continue to blog.

Disappointed with almost 20%? That's good enough to get to the convention, good enough to keep money coming in, good enough to influence the party platform and good enough to merit a dance on the grave of Rudy's campaign. And this demonstrative popularity is good enough to maybe, just maybe, position Dr. Paul for the nomination if the conservative base rallies around Dr. Paul. If the base can't sell Romney, will it really want to run a big spending quasi-Democrat whose namesake campaign law not only tramples the First Amendment but disadvantages the Republican Party? Stay tuned for Ron Paul as the white knight.

Bob (Los Angeles)

[Seth M]

Is there any way we could drop the "long-shot" tags? They're just getting old. It seems like shaping to me, which leads to people not wanting to "waste their vote".

I know it's an opinion based on your journalistic predictions, but Dr. Paul deserves more respect.

[Seth M]

Tess,

"I hope he will be smart and turn his votes to Romney with an endorsement and turn this primary around."

No offense, but you obviously haven't researched Ron Paul. He stands by his word and endorsing any other GOP would be a complete reversal from many of his view points. I know other candidates are in the business of changing their positions, but not Paul.

[Guesswhotoo6]

McCain and Romney are inconsequential to the fall election. Neither have a chance with a pro-war look for Muslims under every rock attitude. These guys are both beholding to the banks and their NeoCon friends while the rest of us sink further in debt and eventually succumb to a failed economy and currency. I could be sure they will do at least as well supporting us in a depression as they did rescuing the poor folks in the Gulf Coast, NOT. Except for Ron Paul, the rest of the pack is simply talking about re-appropriating funds and minor tax trimming or adding, vs actually fixing anything. This will guarantee a collapse between 2010 to 2015. The SS and Medicare systems are going to sink the ship, not to mention the continued war on terror. With more than $1Million Million dollars per year involved in the NeoCon manipulations, expect nearly anything to happen in trying to influence the public perception and the vote. Understand the FED and the money system, the root of all evil. Ron Paul is a brave man to bring the subject up in public. Go Ron Paul Go 2008!

[J Richards]

It would be foolish to take any of these caucus results at face value in light of the evident massive (and global) media self-censorship on Ron Paul combined with ample evidence of electoral vote rigging,

Suspicious behaviour at New Hampshire Primary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKQEQ7qHvgM&eurl=http://www.dailyscare.com/

Testimony on Diebold election fraud: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky-YXvxYbck&feature=related

Hacking Democracy: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4463776866669054201

American Blackout: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5965670944815984616

[Scott AM]

Thank you for the blog! Having said that I do find that there may be at least the appearance of a conflict of interest in how you're reporting 2nd and 3rd place. Which republican did the LA Times endorse? Not that you would be forced into anything. Keep blogging on this when Paul comes in 2nd by a few percentage points. Beyond that we'll see who's bragging when the delegates are known and counted properly. Peace

[john NY]

"PS. If it makes you feel any better, Dr. Paul easily won a poll of Canadians as to who they liked best to be the next President -- it wasn't even close really.

Of course, our media seems to be slightly more free than yours is currently."

Sadly, even the Russian Media seems to be slightly more free then ours is, too. One of the few Ron Paul stories between January 1st and 15th was Russian media coverage of how the US is censoring its media. And to think less then 40 years ago we used to lecture them about Pravda being a state owned, propaganda tool of the Soviet Union.

Thank you Andrew, for going where the ratings are and not being afraid to speak the name of Ron Paul in public. When the MSM deliberately ignores stories that would normally be huge ratings, even the densest of Americans should be scratching their heads. It's problematic though, the MSM is winning,(at least fo the primarys), more then half the people I canvass or talk to still have never heard of Ron Paul. Since early on even the other candidates have have censored themselvess from even mentioning his name. Which is so disgraceful it's beyond words.

[Ben Boult]

I hope once all the votes are counted Ron Paul will come in 2nd but there is one thing Ron Paul is in 1st in and for some reason its getting very little attition maybe you can write an article on it. But did you know Ron Paul has recived more donations from Military Members then all the other GOP Canidates combined? Thats more then Mccain, Huccabee, and Rommney combined. Thats not all Ron Paul has also recived more Military Member donations then Obama and Hilliary. Here is a link to the latest numbers.
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/press-releases/211/q4-fec-reports-ron-paul-receives-more-military-donations-than-all-other-republicans-combined

[John Foster]

It is unethical to report the results before all of the votes are counted regardless of who is or is not winning. Your report may influence the remaining votes. Poor!

[Brian]

Ron Paul IS America's last chance. These other candidates are all jerking about on their strings held by big money corporations.

America is being run into the ground by a cabal that will not have to face the consequences of a destroyed America. Like the banking houses of medieval Europe, they have money on both sides of every conflict and so they win no matter who loses.

They are spending every last dime we have, spreading our military across the globe fostering nothing but pure hatred for our imperial policies while they secure for themselves vast markets, and they are ransacking our institutions leaving not a shred of the Constitution intact. They are not Americans, they are globalists and they will do anything necessary to achieve their goals.

If we as Americans do not remove them this last time, we deserve the burning hell they have prepared for us.

[Seth M]

Sorry Tess, my mistake. My previous statement was meant for "afisher".

[DX10]

afisher, put it another way, if Romney will embrace Dr. Paul's positions honestly, then I would be happy for Romney to be President. And, if he maintained those positions he would be able to defeat either of the democrats. But if he was insincere he would never serve another term.

[Brian]

Looks like Ron Paul is the only Republican candidate that is truly Republican. He just keeps gaining momentum! I won't be surprised one bit when he gets the nomination. Enough of the liars and flip floppers! RP in 08

[Beau]

Well I don't think the writer had bad doing he/she did declare only two thirds of the votes were in. Although the title is very misleading.

[BRIAN]

These delegates are non-binding. That means the totals from the caucuses are irrelevant. It doesn't matter who won, the only thing that matters is who's standing after the smoke clears in May.

Paul supporters don't give up. Paul is running a beautiful rope-a-dope strategy. If he can win a few states on Tuesday and stop McCain from taking the nominattion that'l force Romney and Huckster out of the race. In a matchup between Paul vs McCain, he's going to get the conservatives rallying behind him. And God forbid if he debates McCain. That'll be a mismatch of epic proportions.

[Neil McLaughlin]

With only 2/3 reporting, it is simply wrong to declare the 2nd place. Even after Ron Paul won 2nd in Nevada by 14% to 13%, the media still referred to his "tie for 2nd place". We all know the media is slanting everything against Ron Paul, here is another example. Assuming Ron Paul and John McCain both get 20% of the vote, then after only 2/3 it would be extremely likely to have one at 19% and one at 21%. There are only 100 votes difference and Ron Paul earlier had a 100 vote lead. Also, what nobody mentions is county size. Some might be larger than others. I like how the writer defends himself every time, but the fact is, Romney is the likely winner, and there is a close battle for 2nd place.

[Neil McLaughlin]

Based on the responses to this blog, the results are in:

Ron Paul 52 votes (85.25%)
Romney 9 votes (14.75%)
Other 0 votes (0%)

Basically Ron Paul beats Romney 6-1 here.

So in other words, we're supposed to believe that there are just 346% more online RP fans, and there are just 447% fewer Ron Paul fans that show up to vote. Please.

[Mark]

For ron to be at 19% with 67% of votes counted, is awesome. He could pass McCain before the day if over so cross your fingers. With Huckabee heading out of the race very soon, we should start promoting to his base. If we had his 5%, we would have handily beat McCain. Ron Paul is growing whether the media like it or not. Lets keep talking about him...

[William]

Nice read, Mr. Andrew Malcolm. This is an interesting race, isnt it?!!

And what American can be ashamed of it? Not us! Not THIS year. Thanks to Congressman Ron Paul, to his setting his preverbial lamp on the lampost, so the whole world could be reminded...reminded of what freedom really looks like.

Like others here, I confess my admiration for the good doctor, though now more robustly.

And am both proud and astonished to see this subtle but massive freedom campaign of ours picking up momentum, then as now heading to places with unvieled potential, like a long train of over-achievers on a Constitutional track leading to somewhere worthy, where we've been before, and may return to, our freedom message rumbling past heavily, on the nations grounds, it's fired engines straining noisily, always gladly fueled by our own collective energies.

The sound of the loud horn is signalling something urgent and can now be less faintly heard. Which means perhaps the truth is approaching a hoped-for tipping point. So who knows what awaits us tomorrow, what our arrival will mean at the next stop. Or the one after that.

All we know for sure, by the doctors own admission, is that we've come a long way, made great strides and already exceeded all expectations. To me, therefore, each new day has its remarkable accomplishments, and is a celebrated advancement, a victory for us.

Whatever does come of our efforts, I'm certain that these times will always be marked by each of us as special, filled with nestalgia and meaning. Knowing this rich history will add to our nations proud heritage; and remain for me, just as it is already, a thing of beauty. And an endeavor to be told and remembered and recounted to my own for many o' year.

Proudly,
William

(As we've written here many times, the Paul campaign and its supporters are one of the most interesting stories of this entire campaign so far. Thanks for reading.)

[Mark]

Eric Dondero says "One wonders why the media, including the LA Times, keeps pumping him up?"

And what planet have you been on lately Eric?? If Ron had equal media time, he would be first in every state. McCain is broke, Huck is Broke, Gman is out so what support do these guys have without the main media pumping them up to idiots like you?? The only ones that should be in this race is Paul and Romney because they are the ONLY ones capable of financing a solid campaign WITHOUT the media's help.

[DX10]

Mr. Dondero,

You clearly have a bad case of sour grapes. You are a petty person on a mission to take one better than yourself down. Dr. Paul will probably lose because the people have been conditioned to think like slaves and are frightened at the prospect of freedom. But, even if you win, you lose.

[craig seganti]

More than half the voters I know say they would vote for Paul but he 'doesn't have a chance.' I haven't heard an answer to the argument of how a Pro-Iraq -War Republican candidate can possibly get a majority in a country 70% against the war.

I am sore afeard that in two or three years Paul supporters will be saying 'I told you so' when current economic denial-policies come home to roost. That the bubbling resentment of illegal immigrants just under the surface will bubble over when the middle class has no money themselves (see 'History' concerning non-assimilation of large ethnic groups). That Health Care and Education continue to get worse as the government gets bigger and nosier (as a friend related to me, the LAUSD could not have been more oppressive and unsuccessful with minorites the last 20 years had even the KKK designed their government-knows-all policies and programs, helped along by the NCLB super-clueless policy. Obama is the kind of naiive thinker that doesn't notice this). That the U.S. will continue to experience blowback and resentment by the rest of the world for our idea that we are entitled to a military presence in 130 countries around the world. Veterans of Iraq are committing suicide at alarming rates. This is not the behavior of soldiers involved in a just war.

Better Vote Ron Paul now than be sorry later. Anyone else is a wasted vote.

[Mindi Leflar]

Understood that Romney has won the popular vote. Understood that Maine's delegates are uncommitted regardless of popular vote. Waiting for the update to this article that says McCain has ended up in 3rd and Paul has ended up in second. Hoping that a September article will report Maine's delegates support Ron Paul.

[Peoria Illinois]

BOYCOTT CHINA!!!
NO TO ROMNEY! He is a SELLOUT to this nation!

Romney's VC company (Blane Capital) is assisting the communist red dragon government (CHINA) in buying the American military defense software company 3M.

He is a traitor for big money. It is people like Mitt Romney in government that this country is in the state that we see today. He is just like Dickster.

Boycott Romney.

[thad schiele]

Ron Paul did embarrass McCain. How many deligates did they each get? It is quite possible that they tied for delegates. And he also embarrassed the media that continue to ignore him. The media would like to see McCain win this whole thing and Paul damb near beat him. Ron Paul's rally in Denver on Friday had nearly 3,000 people show up at the Colorado Convention Center. Romney chose to go to a car dealership. He did pack the place though. Ha! Guess which one the media gave more attention to.