Maine sleeps through GOP primary, next Arizona and Michigan
Did the GOP insiders miscalulate this primary season? All these little states upfront allow less well-financed to cherry pick their battle! by Mark Vogl
(conservative)
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
No those were not chain saws you heard in the great forests of Maine, but rather chain snoring as the GOP conducted it's GOP primary in New England's northern most state. With just seconds remaining on the game clock, the New Englander, Mitt Romney barely eeked out a victory over 76 year old, libertarian Texas Congressman Ron Paul; 39% to 36%.
But Romney's close victory was not in a major bowl game. Maine only has a little over 1.3 million residents as of the 2010 census, about .3% of the nation's population! But, if you think that's insignificant, turnout was even more pathetic. Altogether, for the entire state of Maine, a total of 5,624 people participated in the caucus! Dismal turn out.
Gingrich and Santorum, who spent almost no time or resources in the state, garnered 24% of the vote combined! Amazing don't you think? Santorum outpaced Newt 3 to 1, 18% to 6%. Rick got a bounce from his three wins just days ago, and probably his strong defense of the Catholic Church.
60% of all the Maine (New England )voters who participated, voted against the home team!
Now if Romney had had weak opponents, folks scared off after the first loss, well Maine might have just been an uncontested primary. But that didn't happen. Instead it became a must win for Romney. He could not take the chance of losing Maine to Paul, and so vital hours were spent in a minor bowl game, when Arizona and Michigan are just on the horizon.
It's been a long time since the Republican, or Democratic primary process has been this interesting, and as meaningful, both for the party, and for the nation.
Blue New England is not expected to provide one state to the Republican column in November, so dismal turn out didn't mean much. But, it does go back to the question; if Romney can't win massive overwhelming majorities in his home region, where people know him best, than why are we to think he will do better in Dixie, or the southwest, or Midwest, where the election will be won or lost?
And now Michigan and Arizona become almost "must wins" for Romney. In Michigan, a state where his father was governor, Michigan is crucial for Romney. Should Santorum win Michigan the whole calculus changes! And Arizona is a state plagued by illegal immigrants, is witnessing a border war, and is anybody's to win.
At the CPAC gathering in Washington this past weekend conservatives gathered in one of the strongest attended events in years. The star of the show? One eye witness to the event said there was no doubt, Sarah Palin! And I was told that Sarah has left the door open to a candidacy for President. This hidden aspect of the campaign is completely missed by the media. But should the GOP remain divided going into the convention, anything could happen. And Palin would bring an excitement and surge of voter support that could literally overwhelm a weakened President. Obama's most recent strategic moves, concerning the Catholic Church were aimed squarely at former US Senator Santorum and former Governor Mitt Romney. That strategy may backfire, but had Palin been the assumed opponent I doubt the Democrats would have even tried it.
Sarah has shown remarkable resiliency. Though not a candidate, everyone wants her comment. The grass roots of the GOP, which is restless, and has said more than once it won't support Romney, is still hoping.
This could be a good race down the stretch.
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