Mitt Romney for President My Man Mitt: Iowa Aftermath

Here are the reports in from the field (minus Jason who will probably file his own report).

"M" (my friend, the incredible Romney volunteer) says the rural corn field evangelical vote went overwhelmingly for Huckabee. Apparently, that's the theme of the night. As "X" says below... the Romney camp did what it needed to do... Huckabee just brought out the evangelical vote in a larger percentage.

Spoke with "X" (senior Romney official). His thoughts: "Here's the deal. We turned out our people... we expected to get what we got. Huckabee and his brand and style and just pulled out the evangelical vote which made up the difference."

"Bottom line. There is no where else on Gods's green earth where more than 50% of the voters are Evangelical Christians... even in SC its 40% but not 50%."

"We got 2 of the 3 things we wanted tonight. Obviously, a win would have been great. But having Fred match or beat McCain was one of our goals."

"Lastly, we really REALLY wanted Obama to win. With Obama finishing strong and taking momentum to New Hampshire the independent vote will not cross over to John McCain."

In my mind there's a real chance to grab a victory in New Hampshire and come out on top. I can't see how Huckabee can go on from here with no money, no organization and no built-in base to count on.

Romney is still the guy to beat as I see it.


	10 Comments: I am sick. Just sick. To think that the evangelicals in Iowa could so blindly support a man who is, in every way, except for pro-life, a liberal, is just disgusting to me. It makes me embarrased to call myself an evangelical. Huckabee is a liberal democrat and should be running for the nomination on that ticket. I think I'm going to throw up. By Anonymous, at January 3, 2008 at 11:00 PM Thanks for all the great reporting! I am optimistic about Mitt grabbing a victory in NH, especially now that you mention the Obama / Independent factor. I hadn't thought about that. That being said, I'm so glad I don't watch network TV... I do not want to see the "downfall of Mitt" spin his 2nd place finish is going to cause. Makes me wish I lived in NH... By Anonymous, at January 3, 2008 at 11:00 PM I'm just so frustrated with Iowa voters right now, the fact that a large percentage of them say they made up their mind today. You don't go moving your state to first in the nation and then make up your mind the last two hours. Use your brains people. One lady was complaining about the volume of material she would get in her mailbox. Don't go first in the nation and then complain you get stuff in the mail lady. The audacious, brainless, arrogance of the people of Iowa really just startles me. If you're going first in the nation then do your homework people, take some responsibility. Mitt is too kind if he thanks the people of Iowa, what a bunch of corn huckers. I guess I should point out the obvious fact that my views do not necessarily represent those of the Romney campaign just so this message doesn't get censored for it's frankness, but I'm pretty disappointed in Iowa's brainless and failing effort at the simple task of electing a conservative individual. How hard could it be to take the religious bigot blinders off? The Republican party oughta drop-kick Iowa's delegates into late October, and if they want 'em then go and get 'em. By Anonymous, at January 3, 2008 at 11:11 PM Big Jay's take In my precinct, Romney blew everyone else out of the water, garnering over twice as many votes as the nearest competitor. I learned that in Iowa the retail politics work. In a neighboring precinct without a Romney precinct captain the Huckmeister came in with a one vote lead. - In New Hampshire the Giuliani people are going to cross over and vote for McCain to try to knock out Romney. Good for Obama. He'll pull the independents to vote in the Democratic primary there, which will be a good thing for Romney. Romney has a good shot in Michigan. Romney will win Wyoming. South Carolina is still up in the air, and the Hucksters will be out in force from here on out in SC. Rollins will try to play dirty there. And Huck will take the gloves off. Hopefully the Romney organization can make some more inroads in South Carolina. By Big Jay, at January 3, 2008 at 11:14 PM Only Huckabee could make me vote Democrat. Might as well get a confessed liberal over one in denial. But he won't make it that far, just 'cause most Iowans had meat fer brains tonight. Unbelievable. By Anonymous, at January 3, 2008 at 11:45 PM Did you see the glee of the MSM and all the Dem reporters/pundits tonight???? They are absolutely frothing at the mouth over the possibility of a Huck Victory for Pres Nom. And they have every right to feel this way!! Huck will be utterly destroyed in a General Election.... And if he goes on to be the Republican nomination, the Republican party can blame the brainless kool-aid drinking evangelicals who chose to vote for Pastor of the Year, rather than President. By Anonymous, at January 4, 2008 at 12:37 AM "I'm just so frustrated with Iowa voters right now, the fact that a large percentage of them say they made up their mind today." Anonymous, I TOTALLY agree with you! I have been frustrated for months by this very fact, that people are not doing their homework on these candidates. It's VERY frustrating, and I am not impressed with Iowans for taking this attitude. Thanks for expressing what I've been feeling! Interesting note: CNN posted an entrance poll that showed that when you remove the Evangelical vote from the results, here's what you get: Romney 33 Huckster 14 I think this is the biggest news for the GOP side of the caucus tonight. CNN is the only one mentioning this. By Anonymous, at January 4, 2008 at 12:56 AM If the RCP poll average remains constant regarding New Hampshire, than Romney will effectively have the lead even though he came in second in both states. He will have 17 delegates while Huckabee will have 16 with McCain at 12. With Romney basically destroying The Wyoming caucus and most likely Winning Michigan, his lead will continue to expand. Unlike the Primaries, the popular vote really does matter. By Anonymous, at January 4, 2008 at 1:10 AM There was an inkling that this was coming yesterday when Frank Luntz had his focus group. People kept repeating Huck's tripe about how they were not going to let someone buy the election in Iowa. Give it up!! And apparently Mitt spent $3 million between 7 and 10 o'clock because the price tag for his expenses for the caucus kept going up. I look forward to seeing Mitt continue his climb up to the White House, even though it would have been better if he had won. Just wait a few days and Huck will call NH a godless place and all will be forgotten about that cold long wasted night in Iowa By Anonymous, at January 4, 2008 at 2:22 AM Justin, you have done great work, we appreciate it. Huck's win was purely to stop "the Mormon", I testily blogged about this here: http://mydryfly.wordpress.com/2008/01/04/why-iowa-chose-huckabee/ By Anonymous, at January 4, 2008 at 8:37 AM Post a Comment