Posted on 02/02/2008 2:10:02 PM PST by NormsRevenge
AUGUSTA, Maine - Mitt Romney took an early lead in presidential preference voting by Maine Republicans as the first returns were counted Saturday from the party's municipal caucuses, which GOP officials said were heavily attended across the state.
Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, had 59 percent of the vote with 3 percent of the towns holding caucuses reporting. Ron Paul trailed with 19 percent, John McCain had 18 percent, and Mike Huckabee and undecided votes each had about 2 percent.
The nonbinding votes, the first step toward electing 18 Maine delegates to the Republican National Convention, were taking place in public schools, Grange halls, fire stations and town halls across the state.
Despite a sleet storm the night before that left much of the state coated with slush and ice, cars jammed the parking lot outside an Augusta elementary school where Kennebec County municipalities were caucusing.
Signs promoting the candidates were jabbed in snowbanks, and inside the school gym speeches were being given on behalf of candidates as around 300 party members listened and occasionally broke into cheers.
Kim Pettengill, who has been a party activist for more than three decades, said Saturday's was the largest Kennebec County caucus turnout since 1980, the year Ronald Reagan won his first GOP nomination for president.
Party Executive Director Julie O'Brien said other counties reported similarly heavy turnouts.
Republican caucuses were being held in about 410 Maine municipalities, most on Saturday. A few dozen towns, especially in northern Maine's Aroostook County, held caucuses Friday, and a few more were set for Sunday and later this month.
The Maine Democrats hold their presidential preference votes at municipal caucuses on Feb. 10.
Maine Republican Party: http://www.mainegop.com
Could it be the tide is turning? Is Maine the “canary in the coal mine”?
“Could it be the tide is turning? Is Maine the “canary in the coal mine”?......I sure as hell hope so. The sanity express MUST derail the straight talk express.
Bad weather is keeping all the moderates and libs at home, only the truly motivated conservative Republicans are making the effort, this will help Romney =o)
chirp.. chirp.. .. ..
I wish FRed had stuck it out ‘til Feb 5th , oh well.
The Twilight Zone possibility of having to pick from two socialists and a loose cannon (McAmnesty) is causing sleepless nights....
Maine Freepers, this is your state, Freep away!
I always hated that name. “Straight talk” is a load of crap, and he knows it. He should have named it “**** Talk Express”.
try ambien,, vitamin of the kennedys
A lot of southern California conservatives called the Ken and John Show on KFI yesterday and said No way would they consider voting for McCain. Mitt Romney called the show from Denver and talked for 20 minutes on borders, tax cuts, etc. He makes McCain look like a disaster!
“I always hated that name. “Straight talk” is a load of crap,.....Yeah!....more like straight crap!
Where does this info come from, I went to the site and there were no results
Great for Romney staying in, I never thought McDole would get this far, and still think Rudy shouldn’t have quit so early. It still maybe a toss up, though with momentum going Romney’s way, mercifully, we shouldn’t get stuck with another Clinton vs. Dole.
Romney.....smowball in Hades.......Romney.......snowball in Hades.........
I wonder, will the media even report this?
If anyone doesn’t think the calling isn’t important between now and Tuesday, read this exchange:
To: Matchett-PI
I have been calling for Romney all day. It’s amazing that there are still so many that are undecided between Mitt and McCain. Most of my undecideds said they would look at Romney again. One person from Teller County Colorado was telling me that she had no idea as to where to go on Tuesday, and no one she knew did either. What is going on out there? She wants input into the upcoming election, but nothing was sent to the voters in her area. This is unreal.
22 posted on 02/02/2008 2:04:50 PM EST by adc (Rush ‘08)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/gop/1963648/posts?page=22#22
To All:
We have three days to stop McCain and if you want to help us you don’t even have to leave your house.
The calls you make that connect you to voters could put Mitt over the top, they could mean the difference in determining our next president. Please join us during all or some of the times we have set aside by emailing “I want to win” to CallatHome@MittRomney.com.
Pass this info on to as many people as possible.
McCain must be stopped! bttt
14 posted on 02/02/2008 9:14:09 AM EST by Matchett-PI
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/gop/1963648/posts?page=14#14
The Crab Apple Cove Democrats/Indepedents will put John McCain over in the end.
found this,, it is ap '08 Delegate Tracker
my steps, walk and driveway were one long sheet of solid ice - I salted my steps, my walk and got my car warmed up and down about 10' of my 200' drive - no amount of spinning and sliding got me out. And I'd need a whale of a lot of salt, sand and/or kitty litter to cover that driveway.
The UPS man had to deliver a package today = he parked his truck out on the road and walked in through the woods! He didn't dare try even walking the drive...but, bless his heart, he got me my books!
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