Maine Republican caucuses, 2008
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The Maine Republican caucuses, 2008 were held on February 1, February 2, and February 3 at various locations throughout the state of Maine. The results will be used to apportion 21 delegates for the state.
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[edit] Process
The Maine Republican caucus is a modified closed caucus. New voters and voters who have not declared a party may register as Republicans 30 minutes before the caucus begins. Otherwise, a voter must have been registered Republican 15 days before the caucus. [1] In addition, those who will turn 18 by the November 2008 general election are eligible to register at the caucus site.[2] The delegates actually will be non-binding; this means that they will not be bound to any specific candidate.[3][4]
Like most Republican Party caucuses, there are two components. First, delegates are elected from the attendees. These delegates will represent the caucusgoers at the state convention in May. Candidates generally provide slates of delegates to voters who are interested in supporting them, and voters can ask prospective delegates whom they support for president. A total of 3,867 delegates will be selected statewide. [5] Then, a straw poll, called a presidential preference ballot, is taken of the individuals in the room. The results of this secret ballot will be transmitted to the media, which will use it as a "snapshot" of the opinions of Maine Republicans. Although the media will report the results of the ballot, and assign delegates appropriately, it is the state convention which determines who actually goes to the Republican National Convention. Even after the state convention, all delegates will be unbound to any candidate.[6]
Although some caucuses are held on February 3, that is the day of Super Bowl XLII and county parties were discouraged to hold caucuses that day. Only three caucuses are scheduled that day. [7] Thus, the party will release results statewide for the media on the evening of February 2.[8]
[edit] Campaign
Since Maine is adjacent to New Hampshire, Mainers have the benefit of traveling to New Hampshire to look at the candidates, and spillover coverage from the New Hampshire primary.[9]Some candidates have traveled to Maine on visits to New Hampshire. Rudy Giuliani visited the state in September, 2007. Many candidates have mobilized supporters. Further visits to the state were likely to be few, given that the Maine caucuses are sandwiched between the Florida primary and Super Tuesday.[10] However, Ron Paul visited the state in the end of January, five days before the caucuses.[11]
Ron Paul is the only current presidential candidate that has visited Maine to campaign, and Mitt Romney's oldest son, Tagg, campaigned for him there.[12]
Some residents have criticized the caucus system, complaining that it disenfranchises the elderly and military service-members and discourages turnout.[13]
[edit] Results
Maine 2008 Presidential Preference Survey Results:
| Candidate | State Delegates | Percentage | Delegates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitt Romney | 2,837 | 51.67% | 0 |
| John McCain | 1,176 | 21.42% | 20 |
| Ron Paul | 1,002 | 18.25% | 1 |
| Mike Huckabee | 318 | 5.79% | 0 |
| Fred Thompson | 8 | 0.15% | 0 |
| Rudy Giuliani | 3 | 0.05% | 0 |
| Alan Keyes | 1 | 0.02% | 0 |
| Uncommitted | 136 | 2.48% | 0 |
| Write-in | 9 | 0.16% | 0 |
| Total | 5,491 | 100% | 21 |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Maine Republican Party :: Text
- ^ Maine caucuses near — switch parties now to vote for different party
- ^ Maine Republicans prepare for Super weekend - Boston.com
- ^ The Campaign Spot on National Review Online
- ^ 2006 Gubernatorial Summary - Revised.xls
- ^ http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2pj4f/MRP%20Training/How%20Republicans%20Will%20Express%20Presidential%20Preference%20In%20Maine%20-%20final.pdf
- ^ Maine Republican Party :: Text
- ^ Parties push for big presidential caucus turnouts
- ^ NEW HAMPSHIRE VOTES TODAY
Mainers cross border for primary - ^ Political leaders confident state caucuses will matter | Portland Press Herald
- ^ Paul Drums Up Maine Support In Advance Of Caucuses - Politics News Story - WMTW Portland
- ^ Romney wins Maine GOP caucuses - USATODAY.com
- ^ Caucuses not good substitute for primaries
- ^ RESULTS: Maine. Maine Republican Party (2008-02-29). Retrieved on 2008-05-24.
[edit] External links
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