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McCain Wins Idaho Primary with 70%
In the all-but-overlooked Idaho republican primary, John McCain apparently made his worst showing since Huckabee left the race with only 70% of the vote. He picked up 17 delegates.
Ron Paul, essentially a rogue candidate, made one of his best showings to date with 24% of the vote. He picked up another 5 delegates making his total a still nearly insignificant 35. But it might inch him closer to his desired outcome: a speaking spot at the convention. Paul's only better performance came in neighboring Montana where he came in second with 25% to
Romney's 38% while McCain came in third with only 22% of the vote.
Uncommitted voters made a decent showing with 6% of the vote and 1 delegate.
If the democrats didn't have their heads up their collective arses worrying about what Hillary Clinton was going to do next, it seems that McCain's worst election showing yet having occurred in "the most republican state in the nation" might actually be noteworthy. Why doesn't anyone talk about McCain's "Republican Problem"?
Or am I reading too much into this?
Comments (3)
I think you are right and it is largely not discussed.
There are many early primary and caucus states where Barack had more votes by himself than all the republicans combined, so McCain not only has a republican problem but also a turnout problem as well.
I have a feeling that the electoral map already changed completely and no one in the Commentariat seems to have noticed.
May 28, 2008 2:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is more of an embarrassment for McCain rather than a real problem. His supporters have no particular reason to vote since he's won the nomination already. The Paulites, on the other hand, are motivated.
So I wouldn't read too much into it... but it's still and embarrassment.
May 28, 2008 3:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain/Paul '08!!!
May 28, 2008 4:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
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