Posted on 01/04/2008 5:59:53 PM PST by americanophile
Did you know theres another caucus before the New Hampshire primary? Yes, its Wyoming, and its Saturday, January 5. Though its raised the ire of the RNC, Wyoming is moving forward with its primary anyway in the hopes of playing an important, if less than decisive role, in selecting the GOP nominee.
To add to the mystery, no major media operation is covering the race, nor have they bothered to poll Wyomingites, so we are left to wonder who, if anyone, will win, and whether it will matter.
The buzz in Wyoming centers around two candidates - Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney, the only two major candidates who have visited the state, though the momentum generated by Thursdays contest in Iowa could make Huckabee a competitor, and low turnout could even hand a surprising victory to the likes of Ron Paul.
John McCain remains the only westerner among the major candidates, but his campaign has made little effort in the state. Given these facts, and his surprise showing in Iowa, it looks as if Wyoming could be fertile ground for former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson. The folksy, gun-owning Senator could hit the right note with plain-spoken, independent Wyomingites.
Still, Mitt Romneys organization skills should not be discounted, nor should the enthusiasm of his fellow Mormon parishioners, who comprise a significant minority and can count on organizational support from bordering Utah.
In all likelihood, Wyoming will make little difference to the national race, if for no other reason because it will take place on a weekend, but its true impact may be upon New Hampshire. If Romney wins, its suggests the beginning of a comeback that could carry over into New Hampshire. For Thompson, it could provide continuing hope for his devoted following and could keep him relevant while he waits for South Carolina and the southern primaries.
Its anyones guess, but the smart money is probably on Thompson.
Dismissed by local Philly TV as “just a few delegates to be chosen, and only a Republican caucas” - right after they played a generous excerpt from the latest Jibjab takeoff on Night of the Living Dead, showing “braindead Republican zombies” rising from the ground - bias? what bias?..........
My friend, California is the nation's political ATM...everybody and his mother raises money here and in huge quantities. I love Hunter, but California Republicans, beleagured lot that we are, are tired of wasting millions on candidiates that don't win. Hunter's numbers just don't justify the investment. You have to remember Californians spend millions in fruitless attempts to try and regain anything approaching divided government here in our state, to say nothing about others.
Is anybody going to post a Live Thread for Wyoming, CSPAN coverage? Any media at all?
Wish they would. I can’t find much. You can check the WY GOP website for live returns in excel format beginning tomorrow afternoon: http://www.wygop.org/
But I haven’t seen anything else. C-Span doesn’t even mention it...probably because all the major candidates will be in NH.
Go, Fred!!! That would be great, if he won this one and did well in SC.
Correction to the debate schedule.
Tonight’s debate on ABC begins at 7PM PDT
Thanks - I will be sure to watch it. Let’s hope our guy comes on strong.
Fair enough. And I understand his numbers don’t justify the cost on the pocket book. And that is reasonable. I should have worded my statement in effect, if they somehow through grass roots upward bank rolled him to be able to get his message out in a more effective way. But I do see where you are coming from. And the most likely second best choice, Fred, seems to be in a similar boat. They just don’t have the big bucks behind them.
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