Iowa Dispatch: The Moment We're Waiting For
Posted by REID WILSON | E-Mail This | Permalink | Email Author
The results are in:
Mitt Romney -- 4516 (31.5%)
Mike Huckabee -- 2587 (18.1%)
Sam Brownback -- 2192 (15.3%)
Tom Tancredo -- 1961 (13.7%)
Ron Paul -- 1305 (9.1%)
Tommy Thompson -- 1039 (7.3%)
Fred Thompson -- 203 (1.4%)
Rudy Giuliani -- 183 (1.3%)
Duncan Hunter -- 174 (1.2%)
John McCain -- 101 (1%)
John Cox -- 41 (0.1%)
14,302 total ballots cast.
Iowa Republican Party chairman Ray Hoffmann announced results after a more than hour-long delay. The numbers came amid rumors of a pending interruption from supporters of Texas Congressman Ron Paul, who plan to dispute the results almost no matter the results, despite oversight by State Auditor Dave Vaudt.
Iowa Republican Party volunteers and staff worked to calm heightening tensions between supporters of Paul, Senator Sam Brownback and ex-Governor Mike Huckabee, who waged sign wars and blocked cameras during the wait for the announcement. Paul supporters broke into song with a rousing rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner and used the rest of the hour to chant various pro-Paul slogans, easily drowning out Huckabee's fans, who chanted "We like Mike."
The event, marked by low turnout (we reported about 12,000 at the 3pm mark, Marc Ambinder had the 14,000 call first), nonetheless has serious implications for several campaigns. Analysis coming later.

