Posted on 01/03/2012 8:08:24 AM PST by Free Vulcan
Live thread to cover today's GOP caucus. News, predictions, opinions, totals, and the like.
Will be heading out about 4 pm or so to get our site ready and do a final review with the precinct chairs. I expect it to be bigger than 2008 with very heavy turnout and we are preparing for that.
We are also ready for disruptions. They simply won't be tolerated. The state party sent us a memo saying if there's any trouble call the cops immediately. Anyone trying to cause problems is going to get a rude awakening.
My predictions of the outcome are a narrow field with about a 10 point spread for the top five with Bachmann far behind in single digits:
Santorum - 24 Romney - 22 Paul - 20 Perry - 17 Gingrich - 14 Bachmann - 4 The Rest - 1
Think things are still in flux and many won't decide till right to the wire, so I'm not terribly confident of any predictions.
Good point!
Santorum 24%+
Willard 24%
Paul 22%
Newt 13%
That’s our viable field going to SC & FL. Screw NH!
Hopefully Bachmann and Perry drop out after this. They no longer have any reason to stay in, unless they want to help Romney.
And a lot of those 120,000 voters tonight were Democrats switching their votes to R and voting for Paul. 25% of them per FNC exit polls and 1/2 of those went to Paul.
Santorum’s lead has increased now with 49% reporting.
Leading by 381 votes.
Just as I thought....unlike Perry, “you’re all hat and no cattle.”
I love Newt and would pay $1,000 dollars to see him debate Obama. But too much baggage, both personal and record wise. Doesn’t have the organization to win.
Rick S wants to be Newt’s VP.
Santorum and NEwt need to pound the crap out of Romney because if ROmney gets to hang around he will end up with the most delegates since the big states sure to go for him will all be winner take all.
Everyone else get on board or get the hell out of the way.
No Willard! No way! No how!
Couldn’t have said it better.....No Romney not ever! He needs to be taken down with some heavy blows and they’ve got to start this sooner rather than later...I suspect the “fight” will begin after Iowa...and NH.
“but the first steps have been taken. For that we should be thankful.”
You bet!
One thing I noticed on the map, Jefferson and Story Counties (Fairfield and Ames) have not reported yet. They will likely have strong Paul votes. (Jefferson was the only county Paul won in 08, and Story is home of Iowa State University, where I expect Paul would win.
However, 3 NW counties which are huge social conservative counties have not reported. I would think they would be heavy Santorum and Perry support.
Sounds like your supporting Obama.
YES!
Brett Baier all but begged her to endorse Santorum, but instead, she went back to talk about Newt Gingrich!
Don’t knock the Colmes comment. Where do you think the Santorum surge came from? Must remember to send him a thank you.
Santorum was always my second or third choice even my fourth when I was hoping Palin would get in back in the spring. So I am going with him. No Paul or Romney. I was going to support Santorum or Bachmann and Newt was a last resort.
Given Santorum’s showing tonight, time to throw out the national data.
Norm Lenhart! So GOOD to see you!
I noticed Sarah's hair as well tonight... yikes. Did she and Piper dye Sarah's hair using some cheap-o box hair color? Sarah's natural (?) ash brown hair color has always been gorgeous - WHY the awful fake-looking reddish hair color tonight? (Not that there's anything wrong with *natural* looking red hair color)
Note the hair...
Santorum is in the lead.
I love it when the dark horse wins by a nose!
Looks like Santorum and Romney may be opening up some distance now on Paul. Santorum still ahead.
Things are a little awkward at my house. I’ve been supporting Santorum for months, and have had to explain my position to various incredulous folks when Santorum was floundering at one percent in the polls. I have supported conservative candidates in numerous races over the years, almost always in vain. I’m not used to winning (even if it isn’t my state where the possible victory is occurring). I’m not sure how to act.
But I’ll manage. Go Rick!
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