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February 02, 2008
The Bangor Area Caucuses
Maine caucuses this weekend, and Republicans in the greater Bangor area cast their votes today. Results won't be out until this evening at the earliest, but my initial impressions are that John McCain will do well in this area, but I think Mitt Romney's showing will surprise people, given that he all but ceded New England to McCain. (H/t: Malkin)
According to one party volunteer I spoke with, turnout was higher than expected.
Quite a few people I talked to (strangers and acquaintances) were concerned with the rise of McCain. I heard quite a few people say they weren't voting for McCain in the primary, and would reluctantly vote for him in the general. In general, there's an enthusiasm gap McCain will have to overcome if he's the nominee. I suppose we'll see after Super Tuesday whether McCain has the willingness to reach out to Republicans who are genuinely angry at him for what they see as his betrayals of conservative principles.
As a Romney supporter, I should point out a critical error in judgment they made today. Instead of allowing a local Romney supporter to speak on his behalf, a campaign staffer from Boston made what turned out to be a good speech. Not a great idea. Mainers are nothing if not provincial.
Amazing - This is disgraceful behavior by Mike Huckabee. What part of "do not bear false witness against your neighbor" does he not understand?
Bangor Results - Well, I guess I was wrong about how much Bangor likes McCain. Pleasantly wrong:
Romney: 49.6%Maverick denied. Put this together with the strong early results coming in from other parts of the state and it looks like Romney could take this little corner of New England.
McCain: 24.8%
Paul: 19.7%
Huckabee: 5.1%
Ahem - Sure, the results are non-binding, but...you're welcome.
Posted by slublog at February 2, 2008 02:58 PM
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Comments
Here's his problem: if he begins sweet-talking the far right at this point, I won't believe a word of it. His history of poking conservatives in the eye is too long and too bitter. And if he doesn't, now when he needs us badly, I'll take it as a hint of the world-class reaming we can expect if he ever gets power.
I realize I'm more of a hard liner (read stubborn crybaby poopypants tantrum-thrower if you must) than most. But there's nothing John McCain can do to console me, because I believe the problem is the man himself. He's bitter and vindictive and seems to hate people to the right of him far more than people to the left of him.
Judicial appointments are the only thing that give me pause, and I'm not all that confident there...
Posted by: S. Weasel at February 2, 2008 05:55 PM
Wouldn't it be nice if Paul outpolls McCain? He's pretty close at 57% reporting.
Posted by: MainiacJoe at February 2, 2008 08:34 PM