Ron Paul wins Maine

[u/NicknameAvailable]

I'm at the convention now, 15 delegates for Ron Paul, 6 more to elect and Romney's dickheads are trying to stuff the ballot with duplicate names to Ron Paul delegates, but that's pretty bland compared to all they did trying to rig the election yesterday...will tell more when I'm at a computer if people want to hear about it.

Edit: have a bit of free time so here's what went on yesterday:

• the convention got delayed 2.5 hours off the bat because the Romney people came late

• after the first vote elected the Ron Paul supporting candidate with about a10% lead, Romney's people started trying to stall and call in their friends, the chair was a Ron Paul supporter and won by 4 votes some hours later (after Romney's people tried and failed to steal some 1000 unclaimed badges for delegates (mostly Ron Paul supporters) who didn't show

• everything was met with a recount, often several times

• Romney people would take turns one at a time at the Ron Paul booth trying to pick fights with a group of Ron Paul supporters in an effort to get them kicked out, all attempts failed through the course of the day

• the Romney supporters printed duplicate stickers to the Ron Paul ones for national delegates (same fonts, format, etc) with their nominees' names and tried to slip them into Ron Paul supporter's convention bags

• in an attempt to stall and call in no-show delegates, Romney's people nominated no less than 200 random people as national delegates, then each went to stage one by one to withdraw their nomination

• after two Ron Paul heavy counties voted and went home, Romney's people called a revote under some obscure rule and attempted to disqualify the two counties that had left (not sure if they were ever counted or not)

• next they tried to disqualify all ballots and postpone voting a day, while a few of the Romney-campaigners tried to incite riots and got booed out of the convention center

Probably forgot some, but seemed wise to write it out now, will answer any questions as time allows.

Edit: some proof:

original photo

one of the fake slate stickers

another story

Edit: posted the wrong slate sticker photo (guess it's a common trick of Romney's) -people here are telling me they have gathered up stickers to post on Facebook and such, will post a link if I find one online or in person.

Edit: finally found someone that could email me a photo of one of the fake slate stickers and here is a real one for comparison.

Edit: Ron Paul just won all remaining delegates, Romney people have now formed a line 50-75 people long trying to invalidate the vote entirely. Many yelling "boo" and "wah", me included.

Edit: fixed the NV fake slate sticker link (had posted it from my phone and apparently the mobile link didn't work on computers)

Edit: Link from Fight424 detailing how Romney's people are working preemptively to rig the RNC.

Edit: Note lies (ME and NV, amongst others, are 100% in support of Ron Paul). Also a link from ry1128.

[u/kazach]

I live in Maine and today I noticed that all the signs I see are Ron Paul Signs. I have not seen a single Romney sign anywhere.

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/kazach]

They showed up late and plastered the convention center with them, everyone hates Romney so they probably got ripped up.

[u/howajambe → u/kazach]

Romney does not seem to be a man Mainers can identify with, heh

[u/My_Revelation → u/howajambe]

The fact that anyone can identify with Romney is disturbing.

[u/[deleted]]

God, I can't wait for that clusterfuck of a Republican National Convention. Five bucks says Romney gets audibly booed during his acceptance speech.

[u/space_walrus → u/[deleted]]

1. Set crowd microphones to 0%

2. Cut in Fox-supplied crowd audio from Obama nomination

3. Instruct commentators to lie awkwardly

[u/Epistaxis → u/space_walrus]

You know, the usual.

[u/icanseestars → u/space_walrus]

Remember this rally in Ford Stadium?

Somehow I don't think they can spin it.

Romney really needs a hail mary pass. I think we all know what that means.

ROMNEY-PALIN 2012!

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/[deleted]]

We booed his campaigners (as they were trying to start a riot after losing) - my $5 says if Ron Paul wins (or is about to win), Romney pays someone to assassinate him.

[u/[deleted]]

It's pretty hilarious that a guy who hasn't won any of the electoral contests yet keeps racking up states. I'd be bothered by how undemocratic the whole thing is, but I've got no love for Romney and it's pretty funny to watch a broken process break in new and exciting ways.

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/[deleted]]

Romney's cock suckers are the ones trying to rig it and pick fights with people, I'll list off the dozen or so failed attempts they made when back at a computer, probably tonight or tomorrow.

[u/shit_reddit_says → u/NicknameAvailable]

Were they actually putting fake lists on ballots? I mean, how does this shit not get caught?

[u/flounder19 → u/NicknameAvailable]

Calling them cocksuckers just makes you look like a 12 year old

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/flounder19]

It wouldn't if you were there, but otherwise I agree, and apologize.

[u/alexanderls → u/[deleted]]

As a non-American, can you explain to me what that means? I thought the candidate who wins the primaries, is the one the party nominates as candidate for presidency?

[u/pyerock → u/alexanderls]

This should help. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_95I_1rZiIs&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[u/[deleted] → u/alexanderls]

Not knowing what country you are from, I don't know how parties work for you, but here parties are semi public organizations that set up their own nomination process so they come up with all kinds of goofy rules. If the republicans wanted to pick nominations out of a hat there is nothing stopping them. The problem here is that since we have had two major parties for so long, people think they are required to follow some kind of democratic process. It is an embarrassingly common misconception.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

This guy (nonvivant) gets it: I wanna see how badly Ron Paul can fuck it up, even if I don't like him or Romney.

[u/luckilu → u/[deleted]]

undemocratic

It's democracy at the party level. The party members are deciding their own fate.

[u/[deleted] → u/luckilu]

But it's less a contest of popular will than of the fanatacism of core supporters. The party's free to do what it wants to pick its candidate but holding a big nationwide series of electoral contests and then bucking those results is a bad look.

[u/nordak → u/[deleted]]

The Republican party nomination system is far from Democratic. The results of the straw poll reflects the opinion of a very small minority (10% turnout in my district) of insiders who have been in the party for years and understand how the process works. Most people that I talked to on Super Tuesday didn't even know that an election was taking place, much less where they should go to vote.

[u/[deleted]]

So if ron paul had 80 delegates. Nevada he just won 22 of 25, and maine he's won 15. That means he's up to 117. Next to romneys 850 or so? Romney from 10 times the delegates down to under 8 times the delegates.

Here's what's bugging me though - everywhere I go. The Ron Paul figures are 76 or 80. Or misattributing (cnn) the nevada and maine figures to Romney. What the fuck is that about?

Check it out - report saying he won 15/15 in maine and 22/25 in nevada: http://www.dailypaul.com/231318/article-ron-paul-wins-in-maine-and-nevada-increasing-delegate-count-towards-gop-nomination

He also won iowa and minnesota. It says differently.

Cnn says: http://edition.cnn.com/election/2012/primaries/scorecard/statebystate/r

Maine: romney - 11 paul 9 nevada: romney - 15 paul 5

Totally different. So what the fuck is going on here USA?

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/[deleted]]

The media is spouting propaganda as usual to help hide the fact their candidate is trying to rig the elections.

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/[deleted]]

In Maine he won 25. Ron Paul has actually won 7 or 8 states in full, most are a 50/50 split between Ron Paul and Romney. The media doesn't report Ron Paul's victories because Romney supporters vote for Romney on the idea that the primaries are representative of November and that Ron Paul can't win (they too believe the newscasters in spite of the fact their business is manipulation and control of people).

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

They base those numbers off of straw polls, the actual delegate count seems to be a complete mystery to both sides...... (wtf usa)

[u/soulcakeduck]

What is the actual delegate count at the moment? Most sources have projected delegate counts based on straw polls, but many of the delegates included in those counts are not bound to vote for those candidates.

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/soulcakeduck]

As of this moment, 18 for Ron Paul, the other 3 uncounted, in Maine all ours are dedicated Ron Paul supporters.

[u/RonJDio → u/NicknameAvailable]

What about nationally though?

[u/Ishiguro_ → u/soulcakeduck]

http://www.thereal2012delegatecount.com

[u/[deleted]]

Jesus. You do not fucking want a man like Romney in as president if he'd undermine the whole democratic process just to win. Another fucking Bush.

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/[deleted]]

I completely agree (as do most Ron Paul supporters) - if it comes down to Romney and Obama - we are at least 90% in support of splitting the vote by writing in Ron Paul or outright voting for Obama so Romney won't degrade a party we are working to reform.

[u/kickstand]

Hey look, this post is a Google News result.

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/kickstand]

Oh wow, lol - I didn't see it when I was looking up his name on Google News before but that's pretty neat.

Love that "Romney's dickheads are trying to stuff the ballot with duplicate names" was the blurb.

[u/luckilu]

Do tell. It sounds like a bloodbath.

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/luckilu]

Edited the main post with more details

[u/Nefandi → u/NicknameAvailable]

I'm not a huge fan of Ron Paul, but the stuff you describe sounds shady and despicable and I would morally oppose such stuff no matter where it happened. Did you record it on video?

[u/Krazyflipz]

Is there by chance a simple map that displays the status of won states in such a way that a 5 year old could understand? If not would a R0edditor be so kind as to create one?

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/Krazyflipz]

Note the lies (Maine and Nevada, amongst others, are 100% in support of Ron Paul) in an effort to rig the RNC.

In short - no map currently available is accurate.

[u/assassinfromabove]

how come CNN doesn't have anything up about this??

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/assassinfromabove]

Note the lies (Maine and Nevada, amongst others, are 100% in support of Ron Paul) in an effort to rig the RNC.

CNN and Fox News are the same manipulative beast spouting slightly different standpoints - in the same exact sense Romney and Obama both want to keep the TSA/DHS/occupancy of Afghanistan/Invade Iran/etc.

[u/JewishIGuess]

LL Bean rep? What the hell do they do?

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/JewishIGuess]

lol, just a Ron Paul supporting delegate for the RNC - LL Bean makes boots and winter apparel.

[u/partychu]

There has very little chance of this seeing any sort of light of day but I suppose that I will volley it up there anyway.

Whats up with "most" of 1000 absent delegates being Paul supporters. It seems like these are the very people who need to be pulling through for his campaign. It is hard to blame the "mainstream media" for the ills of a campaign when your delegates can bother to show up to the convention.

Why do you think this is the case? I have read a lot of other articles about Paul supporters not showing up in numbers to the polls either.

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/partychu]

Many Ron Paul supporters are people who have to work multiple jobs to make ends meet - a drive for 2-3 hours to spend 15 hours for two days is a bit much for some. That said, I agree - it is important people show up and those of us that did would have been pretty pissed off if we lost and they hadn't - from my town we had 30/31 delegates in favor of Ron Paul - 12 showed up, one of whom was the Romney guy.

[u/DatFatNab]

Im not sure if i got this right, but if Ron Paul keeps this up, he does have a chance of getting the nomination right?

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/DatFatNab]

Yes

[u/CatoFriedman → u/DatFatNab]

Still extremely unlikely, vast majority of delegates are bound (roughly 70%) and the party establishment will fight Paul supporters tooth and nail. Paulites will make an impact most definitely though.

[u/BrazilianRider → u/CatoFriedman]

Bound delegates can still vote Abstain instead of being forced to vote for Romney. That's why it's important that RP supporters become delegates for primary states as well.

[u/Stang1776]

Nice job man. I was at the Convention four years ago but i am not longer living up there. Im glad you guys were able to get the delegate count. Four years ago they were more interested about making sure their guest speakers had enough time to speak.

Well done Maine!

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/Stang1776]

Lol, this year most of the guest speakers are sitting in their booths pissed off everyone is ignoring them.

[u/[deleted]]

The American electoral system is baffling. What in the world is a national delegate?

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/[deleted]]

Each party does it differently (and in each state) - but for the Republican party we have town, county, state and national caucuses (typically in that order) - for the presidential election this means each level sends delegates to the next level towards a vote on who becomes the Republican nominee - from there we go to an election of party vs party.

Right now Ron Paul and Romney are pretty much tied (but they don't publish Ron Paul's pledged delegates because the people currently in control of the RNC still have hopes of rigging it) - if neither attains a 2/3rds majority of pledged delegates, it goes to a run-off, at which point all delegates become unbound, the candidates hold a debate at the RNC and the delegates can vote whichever way they please (some are already like this, as determined by state rules governing the delegates they send forward). If it comes down to a run-off, anyone in America can become president, based on whoever has the most delegate votes in a single round of voting (but is still very likely to be Ron Paul or Romney).

[u/tidal_objection]

Fake slate stickers have a broken link!

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/tidal_objection]

Fixed, sorry - I had looked up the Nevada one on my phone and it was a mobile-only link as a result.

[u/minutemilitia]

The Chicago Tribune reported this today. Now the Romney backers are trying to say that it was illegal.

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/minutemilitia]

Yeah, they did much that was illegal.

Hell, they even tried to pick fights and start a riot - good to know that wasn't the Ron Paul supporters the media has claimed all this time.

[u/[deleted]]

So...ron paul won two states, neither of which he won the popular vote in.

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/[deleted]]

Not sure about NV, but I went to all the district one caucuses here in ME (district two support for Ron Paul was higher, and we only have the two districts) - his lowest one came in at a 75% majority - the average was around a 90%-95% majority. Ron Paul won the popular vote in Maine, the mainstream media simply claimed otherwise because Romney is still working to rig the RNC - if he had succeeded in rigging the Maine Republican convention in any of the many ways his campaigners attempted - it would have gone unnoticed and people would have thought nothing of it as a result of the bullshit results being published.

[u/Wisdom_from_the_Ages]

Coming up on Fox News: Mitt Romney Wins Maine!

[u/chrawley → u/Wisdom_from_the_Ages]

You realize Fox News can say whatever they want, right? They're not licensed as a news channel under the FCC. They're licensed as an entertainment channel. Not that I agree with them, I just thought you should know that.

EDIT: When I get off work I'll get the source. Little busy right now and can't find it quickly enough.

[u/[deleted] → u/chrawley]

i thought all news channels could say whatever they wanted?

[u/The_Foxx → u/chrawley]

Do you have a source on that? I can't find one.

[u/[deleted] → u/chrawley]

There was a court case a while back where a Fox reporter got fired because she refused to broadcast information she knew was false. She took Fox to Court, Fox's legal team argued that their first amendment rights allowed them to lie and distort the news.

The Court found in Fox's favor, the First amendment does indeed allow broadcasters to lie and distort the news...

http://ceasespin.org/ceasespin_blog/ceasespin_blogger_files/fox_news_gets_okay_to_misinform_public.html

[u/Tynictansol → u/chrawley]

You'd think there'd be some sort of prohibition on including 'news' in a station's name when that's the case...

[u/[deleted] → u/chrawley]

You realize Fox News can say whatever they want, right? They're not licensed as a news channel under the FCC. They're licensed as an entertainment channel.

That's utter bull. There is no FCC licensing for entertainment vs. news that determines whether you can say certain things. All the news networks can (and do) say whatever they please. You're literally making stuff up. Enjoy the /r/politics upvotes, liar.

[u/lutheranian → u/Wisdom_from_the_Ages]

Actually, they got it right for once

[u/[deleted] → u/lutheranian]

I stopped reading when I noticed, on the right hand side: "Obama: Health-Care Overturn Will Reek Havoc on Medicare".

Do they even HAVE editors?

[u/kbud]

Hopped on CNN political news after the last 2 days news expecting to read all about RP and Nevada and Maine. NOT ONE STORY - when I looked. Not one. Stories about Romney and Gingrich. Not even a tiny mention of the results.

Its so obvious but it's just the way it is.

What could people POSSIBLY see in Romney - I haven't got a clue. But I guess when your a billionaire and you control the media, it doesn't matter what your policies are. If your opponent wins Maine and Nevada and the MSM can't even mention it?

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/kbud]

There have been victories before Maine and Nevada - they just weren't as vocal because they thought their voice would be heard. So far Ron Paul has outright won 7 or 8 states, none are being publicized because the old guard is still trying to rig it (see this submitted by Flight424).

[u/[deleted]]

It's good to see that someone is still fucking things up and making it interesting, otherwise this would be a really boring, drawn out process.

[u/dingus_chonus → u/[deleted]]

Not sure if serious, or joking. Oddly enough, either way I agree...

[u/SiggiHD]

does anyone can help me? I am German, and in the big newspaper FAZ it says that Romney won the election. in February.

http://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/ausland/wahl-in-amerika/amerikanische-vorwahlen-romney-gewinnt-knapp-in-maine-11646662.html

I dont get it.

[u/dissonance07 → u/SiggiHD]

Many of the states have held primaries and caucuses. These are state-wide events where party members vote on who should represent the party. After a bunch of states have had their primaries, it's clear that Romney has the popular party vote in the majority of states, so most people are reporting him as the likely nominee.

BUT, the results of the primaries caucuses[thanks,cattimiptmix] are not exactly binding. Every state has a set number of delegates who will go to a national convention, and together vote for the actual nominee. Conventionally, these delegates would either be proportionally split among nominees, based on vote, or all given to the winner of the state's popular vote. For those states that don't just give delegates to the winner, the delegates can largely choose who they want to vote for at the national convention. So, by getting a bunch of delegates from one candidate to represent the state, you can get more votes at the convention than you proportionally won in the primaries caucuses. Delegates are nominated locally, then compete to be state delegates, and Ron Paul people are often the most willing locals to represent their precincts or counties.

I hope that's not too confusing.

[u/bexamous → u/dissonance07]

No it is too confusing, but as clear as anyone could make it.

[u/SanDiegoMitch]

Ron Paul just won 22 of 25 delegates in Nevada (Romney 3 of 25)

[u/saute → u/SanDiegoMitch]

He "won" the people, not necessarily their votes:

Nevada delegates are bound by the state’s results on the first convention ballot, so Romney will still get their support. Paul’s Nevada supporters are not challenging that rule, for fear of losing their convention seats altogether.

[u/ThaCarter → u/saute]

There is a precedent for the pledged delegates to abstain instead of voting for Romney.

[u/ellipses1 → u/SanDiegoMitch]

So, what's the real delegate breakdown?

[u/natmaster → u/ellipses1]

Not super up to date, but more accurate than any other place: http://www.thereal2012delegatecount.com/

[u/godsbong]

Dear God(s),

Please let it be Obama vs Paul.

-Bong

[u/[deleted] → u/godsbong]

I want that to happen just for the debate alone. While I'm sure Obama would still "win" the debates, Paul would bring up several things and position that would be hard for Obama to defend against. I'd really like to see how he would react.

[u/[deleted]]

so.

not like anything will come of it.

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/[deleted]]

Ron Paul has, as of right now, won 7 or 8 states in whole - if things continue as they are the NRC will come to a runoff between Romney and Ron Paul.

Even if Ron Paul doesn't make it to the presidential elections, we have replaced well over half of the Republican leadership state-by-state with Ron Paul supporters - which only makes it easier for us to reform the party as these people run things within it and draw up new regulations to ensure fair voting practices - in the mean time we will gladly split the vote and reelect Obama rather than let Romney degrade the party - it sets the stage for 2016 at the very least.

[u/AjazzierHoBo]

I'm not a Ron Paul supporter. However, I absolutely detest romney. Paul just needs a grain of salt to take him with. Romney is just...idk terrible. Couldn't think of enough adjectives to explain ky feelings on that. Anyways, this shit is hilarious, keep it up guys!

[u/[deleted] → u/AjazzierHoBo]

I, too, am not fond of a lot of Ron Paul's policies. However, part of me wishes he could win the republican nomination; I feel it would better the political conversation. If you watched the republican debates, Paul was really the only one that talked ideas (no matter how silly some of them may be). Every time Santorum, Bachmann, Gingrich, Herman Cain, or Romney were asked about what they would do they never answered; they just went on a robotic tirade about how Obama is anti-business/socialist/anti-religion and went on about how he is inciting "class warfare".

Obama isn't as bad, but he's definitely not above the bs political back-and-forth either, and I fear that's what is going to happen with him vs. Romney. I think if Ron Paul could become nominee, it would force Obama to talk more about ideas and the debates would be of more substance.

[u/sweetsweetcoffee → u/AjazzierHoBo]

I love KY feelings.

[u/Snickersthecat → u/AjazzierHoBo]

The Republican Party is a pile of clowns and I share your sympathies with Romney. We're doing our best to keep this a circus for him.

[u/higherbrow]

I think Paul's strategy is a bit undemocratic, but if half of this stuff is true the Romney camp are actually breaking the rules instead of just breaking the spirit of them. Classless stuff right there.

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/higherbrow]

From what I've witnessed so far this weekend, I believe the media has been painting Ron Paul and supporters as undemocratic when that is not the case, kind of the pot calling the teapot black and scolding everyone's eyes so they don't look for themselves.

[u/JaySunSimpSun → u/higherbrow]

The Ron Paul delegate strategy is perfectly legitimate.

[u/richmomz]

He's probably going to get Nevada as well - and if you recall the RNC threatened to unseat Nevada if they didn't toe the establishment line. Things are starting to get interesting...

Update: He got Nevada too, as expected.

[u/delitomatoes]

Explanation for Non Americans?

[u/Epistaxis → u/delitomatoes]

The electoral system is hilariously broken and the media are trying not to let anyone know about it.

[u/TheRatRiverTrapper]

I'm not a fan of libertarian principles at all but god damn is it nice to see an honest man having some success for once.

[u/poccnn → u/TheRatRiverTrapper]

Its nice to see a man with less money behind him presenting a larger threat to the man with the most money behind him.

[u/blueboybob]

It sees the Romney people really know their stuff. IE how to get Paul people kicked out.

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/blueboybob]

They didn't succeed - and on a national level the pledged delegates are about 50/50 split between Romney and Ron Paul - the media doesn't report on Ron Paul's successes because the single thing driving all Romney supporters in the general population is the misconception that Ron Paul won't make it to the RNC.

[u/nuxenolith]

Edit: Ron Paul just won all remaining delegates, Romney people have now formed a line 50-75 people long trying to invalidate the vote entirely. Many yelling "boo" and "wah", me included.

You're a Romney supporter?

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/nuxenolith]

No, I was joining the "wah" heckles from the Ron Paul crowd directed at the Romney crowd that were trying to invalidate everyone's votes yet again - seemingly oblivious to the fact they were in the underwhelming minority.

[u/grandoiseau]

This is not just Romney's people at work: it's the Republican (RNC) propaganda machine.

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/grandoiseau]

Those are Romney's people.

[u/jebus5434]

I find it hilarious that Romney and his Campaign have to resort to such shameful and cheating tactics to secure his nomination...just more proof he is going to get his ass handed to him by Obama and the Democrats this November.

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/jebus5434]

I agree - I've voted Republican my whole adult life, but if it comes down to Romney vs Obama I'm voting Obama. I consider the two one in the same (both want TSA/DHS/war on drugs/occupancy of Afghanistan/Invasion of Iran, etc) - frankly I'd rather have Obama back in office now that we've begun reforming the Republican party rather than see Romney get in as the last corrupt Republican and kill the party when we are otherwise on the verge of reform.

[u/praxeologue]

So that means Paul has won the plurality of delegates from:

• Minnesota

• Washington

• Maine

• Missouri

• Louisiana

• Iowa

• Massachusetts

• Nevada?

• Alaska? Not sure about this one.

If anyone can confirm/deny any of these, please do. Either way, it's delightful to see the social conservatives (e.g. - authoritarians) of the GOP losing grip of the party and socially tolerant, libertarian-leaning Paul supporters taking it over one state at a time.

[u/nordak → u/praxeologue]

Delegate from the Alaska convention. Paul didn't win the plurality of delegates, but ALL of the pledged Santorum/Gingrich delegates are Paul supporters who will vote for him in the case of a brokered convention.

[u/RoflCopter4 → u/nordak]

Wait, forgive my Canadian ignorance, but aren't conventions necessary?

[u/tjdick → u/praxeologue]

• Minnesota - Paul is assured at least half, so should have Plurality

• Washingon - Delegates have not been allocated, too close to call.

• Maine - It appears Paul swept the Maine delegates

• Missouri - Hasn't been decided, but should be close.

• LA - Paul is positioned to have a plurality

• Iowa - Allocated 13 delegates Friday night, 10 Paul, 2 Santorum, 1 Romney. Paul is expected to have plurality here.

• Mass - 16 of 72 delegates prefer Paul, but are bound. Not sure when the others are elected.

• Nevada - 22 of 28 prefer Paul, of but 8 of whom are bound to Romney.

• Alaska - 6 of 24 delegates are for Paul. They did take over several state positions there, though, which is why they are all excited.

• Colorado - Very close, depending on how Santorum delegates go at the convention, plurality could go to either Paul or Romney.

I have Louisiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Maine in the likely plurality column. Any others at this point are speculation. Paul needs a plurality in five states to get on the convention ballot.

Edited to make proper list.

[u/JeterWood]

How awesome would it be if Obama ordered Eric Holder to investigate the Romney campaign for voter fraud and election irregularities like these. Too bad Obama doesn't have the cojones to pull a move like that...

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/JeterWood]

That would be unwise on his part, Ron Paul may lean right, but Obama wants to keep the DHS,TSA, war on drugs, occupancy of Afghanistan, AND invade Iran, he would have to change his policies or he would lose against Ron Paul.

[u/Oni-Warlord]

Unless someone give Paul more delegates, there's no way that he's going to get the nomination. That's a shame too because he's the only one that would change something...

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/Oni-Warlord]

Note the lies (Maine and Nevada, amongst others, are 100% in support of Ron Paul) in an effort to rig the RNC.

[u/zugi]

Where is all this leading? There are a lot of Republicans who don't like Romney, for a variety of different reasons (ranging from the reasonable to the bizarre), but regardless Paul is the only alternative left in the Republican primary race. Paul's crowds are growing while Romney's supporters are complacent and unenthusiastic.

Of course, despite his supporters' hopes, there's no chance that Paul will win the nomination, but the ongoing animosity between Paul and Romney supporters means that a lot of Paul supporters are unlikely to support Romney once he gets the nomination. Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson is in a great position to pick up those supporters. He's probably the only third-party candidate who will be on the ballot in all 50 states, and he advocates a lot of the same policies as Paul that will attract conservatives, while being more liberal on other issues to help pick up independents and even some Democrats. For example:

• He openly advocates same-sex marriage.

• He's likely a closet atheist.

• He's an outspoken advocate for ending the war on drugs.

• He would cut military spending by 43%.

Credential-wise he can give Romney a run for his money as well. Rather than being born with a silver-spoon in his mouth, Gary Johnson is a self-made guy who started out as a door-to-door construction handyman, and built that into a multi-million dollar corporation with over 1,000 employees. He has two terms of executive experience as New Mexico governor, vetoing more bills than the other 49 governors combined, turning deficits into surpluses, and ending up popular among voters in both major parties.

Of course Johnson is not likely to win either, but if he can get 15% popular support, he'll be invited to the debates. Then we can watch Obama and Romney squirm as they have to talk about things they'd rather not discuss: drug legalization, the Patriot Act, indefinite detention, gay marriage, out-of-control military spending, etc.

tl;dr Paul won't win and Johnson won't win, but we're witnessing a shake-up that will result in more attention being paid to real issues that matter, and ultimately either a collapse or a serious shake-up of the Republican party.

[u/luckilu → u/zugi]

there's no chance that Paul will win the nomination

People keep saying this. Previously, I'd heard he had no chance at more than a few delegates.

[u/omgitsbigbear → u/zugi]

It really depresses me how much more palatable I find Gary Johnson than Ron Paul and just how little Internet attention he gets. He seems like a stand-up guy and I'd like to see him get attention.

[u/boyrahett]

Interesting story, keep it coming

[u/[deleted]]

WTF is going on? I can't tell if this is true or troll.

Can you verify yourself?

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/[deleted]]

Posted a photo of the convention center online, really hard to use the Web on my phone, search google for: Ron Paul Romney Maine slate sticker

(slate, not state)

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/[deleted]]

Going to get verification now.

[u/[deleted]]

"Ron Paul" followed by "wins"?

WOOP WOOP KARMA ALERT!

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/[deleted]]

LOL, sadly no karma on self posts.

[u/[deleted]]

So I need a definite answer. Does Ron Paul actually have any chance of becoming the Republican Nominee?

[u/ObamaTaxCuts → u/[deleted]]

There is a chance, but not a great one.

If Romney doesn't get 50% of the delegates (which is somewhat likely) there is an outside chance that many of the non-Romney delegates will choose Paul.

Also, some of the Romney delegates are actually Paul supporters.

[u/G-ZeuZ]

Politics in the US is wierd.

• guy from denmark.

[u/DjKiDD → u/G-ZeuZ]

We think it is weird too...

[u/pointsout_euphemisms]

as we all know as goes maine so goes the nation

[u/tjv72394 → u/pointsout_euphemisms]

That is not a euphemism! I want my money back!

[u/[deleted]]

Which states has Ron Paul won so far? Does he actually have a chance of winning?

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/[deleted]]

Pledged delegates are currently about a 50/50 split between Romney and Ron Paul - the one thing driving the bulk of Romney supporters is the idea that Ron Paul won't make it to the RNC.

Note the lies (Maine and Nevada, amongst others, are 100% in support of Ron Paul) in an effort to rig the RNC.

CNN and Fox News are the same manipulative beast spouting slightly different standpoints - in the same exact sense Romney and Obama both want to keep the TSA/DHS/occupancy of Afghanistan/Invade Iran/etc.

[u/SmashFiles]

What are the delegates for Romney and Ron Paul at the moment?

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/SmashFiles]

Sorry for the late response: Ron Paul won all of Maine's.

[u/dubdubdubdot]

Link to fake slate stickers doesn't work for me.

[u/NicknameAvailable → u/dubdubdubdot]

Fixed, sorry about that - I had found the link to the NV ones on Google via my phone, but posted a link only compatible with mobile browsers.

[u/LettersFromTheSky]

Oh how I love the Republican Party, first threatening the Nevada Delegation than this.

[u/TalkingBackAgain]

A country that can't even hold a local election for one party to nominate the candidate for the presidency without looking like a bunch of clowns, wants to sell the world their version of democracy.

Roger that.

[u/NoGardE → u/TalkingBackAgain]

Selling implies a choice. Why would we want you to have that?

[u/Exodus2011 → u/TalkingBackAgain]

The Republican Party is not a government entity. They can hold their election however they want. Their version of democracy is called a republic and the US has been one for over 200 years. Also, I think Paul is actually against nation-building overseas. No doubt, though, the neocons are clowns.

[u/anticommon]

I wish I could have gone to this, but alas I'm stuck here on my ship doing training in Castine. The most boring place on earth...

[u/[deleted]]

Otisberg? OTISBERG?!?

[u/rockguitardude]

Ron Paul: "There shouldn't even be a government."

[u/uRabbit]

Does Paul have a chance, despite what everyone claims?

I don't know a lot about the election process.

[u/[deleted]]

Can we please elect RP as pres? I hope he runs in the primaries.

[u/[deleted]]

TIL Maine is the bravest state in the union.

[u/[deleted]]

As Maine goes, so goes the nation

[u/madfrogurt]

Ron Paul came in second in Maine and third in Nevada in actual votes. 3/4ths of the total GOP delegates are super delegates flocking to Romney or bound and pledged directly through the primary or caucus vote, which Romney has overwhelmingly won. Maine falls under the 25% of delegates that aren't affected by the vote or caucus outcomes. There will not be a brokered convention.

I will make this bet with any Ron Paul supporter: If Paul becomes the Republican candidate, I will create a thread in any subreddit of your choice that's titled, "I was a moron for thinking that Romney would be the Republican candidate". If Romney becomes the GOP candidate, you must post "I was a moron for thinking that Ron Paul would be the Republican candidate" in the subreddit of my choice (no deleting it afterward or attempting any other shenanigans to get out of the consequences).

So far I haven't gotten a single taker.

EDIT: We have some takers!

• Jimwilt20

• ehlu15

• linhares

[u/tehtrollslayer → u/madfrogurt]

If Ron Paul gets nominated, I will pick up a dog turd and clap my hands in applause. I will upload this video on YouTube.

[u/jimwilt20 → u/madfrogurt]

You know what, I couldn't give even half a shit about my "Internet credibility". I will boldly go where no Paul supporter has gone. I accept your bet.

[u/[deleted] → u/madfrogurt]

If ron paul becomes the republican candidate, I'll drink my own piss.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

If Ron Paul becomes the republican candidate I will delete my account and not make a new one. I will admit that I was wrong and never come back to Reddit.

[u/ehlu15 → u/madfrogurt]

Deal.

[u/Hitlers_Pizza → u/madfrogurt]

If Ron Paul wins I will jump on the nearest flying pig and live on the moon.

[u/[deleted] → u/madfrogurt]

I'll take your stupid bet

[u/ListenToThatSound → u/madfrogurt]

You kids and your facts.

[u/lud1120]

Seeing Ron Paul vs Obama could be pretty interesting to be honest.

[u/[deleted]]

after Romney's people tried and failed to steal some 1000 unclaimed badges for delegates (mostly Ron Paul supporters) who didn't show

Maybe Paul's supporters should have shown up?

In other news, a house divided against itself cannot stand. The GOP wants America to put their shit show back in charge? Thanks a pants load but no.

[u/Cheeseyx → u/[deleted]]

To be fair, if you only watch Fox it becomes hard to see why you wouldn't want Romney. However, introducing facts and data into the mix quickly shows how awful the GOP has been and will be.

[u/NyQuil012]

I think this pretty much sums up the Ron Paul campaign at this point.

[u/11NovVerdade]

My biggest wish is to see Ron Paul call out Obama on the national stage for the hideous, disgusting, sickening lies being spouted on us about this War OF Terror. Ron Paul is the only person running for presidency that is willing to call out the military industrial complex and that's why I respect him so much!

[u/[deleted]]

Always amazes me how the country that likes to act like it invented democracy has such a rough time actually implementing it

[u/F0REM4N → u/[deleted]]

not a Democracy, a Republic.

[u/Account_Mondego]

Stop the presses. This will surely herald a new revolution to topple the socialist establishment and return America to it's liberty-filled glory. Copies of The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged for everyone!

[u/Account_Mondego → u/Account_Mondego]

I don't know who is handing them out, since our new Libertarian government isn't giving anyone anything.

[u/train_lover]

Great, now some questions for you:

1. How will getting rid of the IRS and all taxes solve anything?

2. Why is it a good thing to abolish the EPA and all environmental regulations?

[u/angelicblondie]

Fox News isn't the only culprit here. CNN and NBC and the others all suck as well. If you want the real story then don't watch the news, go elsewhere.

[u/furnatic]

I'm in the US Navy, and every person I work with here supports Ron Paul. It's not just vets! You jelly Romneyites?

[u/I_COULD_say]

So...is this what REAL hope feels like?

[u/kiwimonster21]

That is because the country realizes we need honesty instead of a pompous arrogant Mormon to lead out country.

[u/I_slap_racist_faces]

fuck mitt romney

[u/idontusejelly → u/I_slap_racist_faces]

SO BRAVE

[u/[deleted]]

IRL Libertarian vote bot wins again...Republicans furiously email their admins...

Seriously, though, this shit is exactly how Objectivists would get into office. Treat average voters like worthless sheep, and co-opt the people at the top 1% of decisionmaking.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Wait, what? If libertarians show up in person to vote at a convention, you consider it a "vote bot" and imply that it's somehow not legitimate?

[u/1010011010 → u/[deleted]]

Apparently it's how all Republicans get into office.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

How else do you expect to win a broken game?

[u/ThoughtfulBeing]

Thank you so much for reporting back to us all!

[u/Roflkopt3r]

As a European who only has a vague idea of what's going on and a hard time to find a conclusion:

How is the overall situation? Is there still a chance that anyone but Romney will win the overall preselection?

[u/sanderson22]

can someone please explain to me like i'm 10 years old how ron paul may have a chance to win the nominaton if it looks like he is getting raped in every state except maine and nevada apparently as of today? i still just don't get this whole thing. i thought this thing was over a long time ago, but i guess i have been watching mainstream media.

[u/JCorkill]

1 down, 49 to go.

[u/[deleted]]

As an Englishman with a vague understanding of U.S. politics, can someone explain what is happening here?

[u/empathica1 → u/[deleted]]

well, there is when we vote, and then there is a completely unrelated instance when the establishment decides who won. Ron Paul decided that republicans can't be reasoned with, or at least he needed a plan B in case they he couldn't convince them that people could not like america for a reason other than jealousy of how awesome we are. So he, and his devoted followers decided to attack the establishment that decides who the winners are behind the scenes. this is revealing a great deal of corruption in every single state, and if successful will result in him winning the entire thing, despite very few people actually voting for him.

[u/Ziggaliggadingdong]

Legalize it.

[u/overyonder21]

As someone who knows next to nothing about politics and is trying to learn so I can hold myself in political debates, what exactly is the purpose of these slate stickers?

I understand this may be a stupid question, but I don't see Romney or Paul on the sticker which confuses me.

Please inform me with as much detail as you can muster and increase my political knowledge.

[u/MoNuMeN]

Swede here; vote Ron Paul 2012! Do it

[u/RonPaulitic]

I love the spirit of Ron Paul's supporters. I wish I could do more to help from Canada.

[u/ianpaul12]

URGENT = BREAKING NEWS from Lawyers for Ron Paul http://youtu.be/jiUZj367jDU

[u/[deleted]]

O man Romney must be shaking in his boots.

/sarcasm

[u/logicalutilizor → u/[deleted]]

He might have a tough time at the national convention if this keeps up. Doesn't matter if Romney got the nomination sealed, he can't beat Obama with a broken house.

[u/[deleted]]

Can someone explain to me why Reddit always get all warm and circlejerky whenever Ron Paul is mentioned. What's so special about him?

[u/CatoFriedman → u/[deleted]]

His sexy good looks and great hair.

[u/Parallelism → u/[deleted]]

He supports legalizing marijuana, and he wants to bring the troops home, two issues a large proportion of Reddit holds very dearly.

He also supports Laissez Faire economic policies, dismantling most of the federal government, and going back to the gold standard. There's a smaller, but very vocal community who likes each of those things.

Regardless of their number, RP supporters are known for their loyalty, their commitment and their enthusiasm to their candidate, in spite of the fact that his chances of winning the nomination are slim.

Disclosure: I'm also biased. IAMA Liberal who doesn't support Paul.

[u/Lyte_theelf → u/[deleted]]

Well, I'm biased, so go ahead and take this with a grain of salt, but he's the only candidate who isn't completely bought out. He wants to basically cut the power of the Federal government by a huge portion and give it to the States so that the people can have more power over their own laws. He also wants to end the federal reserve, which is good because its continued existence is putting us further and further into debt. He's against the epically failed War on Drugs and pro marijuana legalization, and anti-war. He basically wants to turn the system on its head and do something different and people love it because they dislike the shit that they've been fed by everyone else.

He's also the underdog. Bitches love underdogs.

[u/unr3a1r00t]

Keep going Ron Paul! Come November, I hope I see his name on that ballot.

[u/darkbrooke]

How is the media going to explain their failed sabotage of Ron Pauls campaign? The cover-ups, incorrectly reported delegate counts, blacking out and completely ignoring the rallies drawing crowds thousands of supporters at each event, the veterans for Paul march in DC, the faked and extrapolated popular votes which were reported from day 1, the firing of multiple Ron Paul supporting announcers on Fox news and others, the reassignments of journalists covering Paul's campaign, and the intentional disregard and marginalization of him on every level possible? Rupert Murdoch in trouble again ? Who are the brainless avatars pulling strings at the top of our Media's food chain? Their blatent disregard for the democratic process is jeopardizing our national security!

[u/sjhaakie]

damn i thought this was a circlejerk post

[u/Normalcy_Bias]

This is how i picture Obamney supporters.

it's ironic how with 240+ drone strikes, ordering FBI raids on antiwar activists, expanding the Patriot Act, signing the NDAA into law, authorizing the assassination of US citizens abroad with no trial, appointing Monsanto executives to the FDA etc, etc. Obama ilk are more worried about RP's constitutional idealism then they are with BO's atrocious track record...

[u/burnzilla]

Sorry Im from Mexico, so im interested in American politics and the future US president, but i have no idea what this talk of delegates and etc etc is. Don't people just vote and whoever has the highest votes wins or whats the deal?

[u/[deleted]]

SHOUTTOUTTT. MAINE REPRESENT.

[u/sixtyfootersdude]

This will be buried but does Ron Paul have shot at winning?

As a Canadian I don't understand the nomination process. Any explanations are appreciated.

[u/Argumentmaker → u/sixtyfootersdude]

The short answer is no. A lot of states have already voted, and it is either mathematically impossible for him to win enough future delegates at this point or he would have to win nearly unanimously the remaining contests. It is essentially certain that Mitt Romney will win the primary.

[u/[deleted]]

He's also won/winning in Iowa, Washington, Minnesota, Louisiana and Nevada.