January Primary Coverage

[Jackal]

Irvine/Clark take Iowa!

We have a winner! Senator Irvine has won the Republican Caucus in Iowa, while Senator Clark has won the Democratic caucus. Both races were tight, and this is not likely to mark the end of either campaign by ANY stretch of imagination.

(Ooh the suspense)

Iowa

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Republican Caucus[/SIZE]
Precincts Reporting: 100%
Irvine: 30% (13 Delegates)
Rottnek: 29% (11 Delegates)
Strunk: 28% (9 Delegates)
Warner: 8% (1 Delegate)
Surratt 5% (0 Delegates)

Democratic Caucus[/SIZE]
Precincts Reporting: 100%
Clark: 36% (17 Delegates)
Lilidge: 33% (15 Delegates)
Burton: 32% (13 Delegates)


Analysys (Republicans): The Republican Race was tight, and probably the most surprising of the two contests. Senator Irvine pulled out an upset victory over Rottnek and Strunk, despite hard run campaigns by both. The victory appears to have been a combination of Irvine's grassroots style campaign which lay out clear and detailed proposals and spent large amounts of time on the ground with voters. His "Fair Tax" proposal was also popular among Iowan conservatives, and they turned out in big numbers. Key endorsements from Senator Sam Watkins, who is widely respected by conservatives, and Party Chairman Oterez, who gave establishment credibility to his campaign, may have helped push him over the top.
Rottnek arguable ran the hardest campaign, but in the end, opposition to his candidacy by conservatives, due to his liberal positions on several issues, resulted in high turnout by Christian evangelicals, who voted overwhelmingly for Irvine and Strunk. Still, having run a hard campaign paid off. A large wing of the Republican party, tired of hardcore conservative domination of the party, turned out to put Rottnek firmly in second place.
Strunk ran a very hard campaign as well, and built a large base of support. But he never managed to make himself the establishment conservative, and although he did slightly better than Irvine, and much better than Rottnek, among evangelicals, the margin between Strunk and Irvine was small, and Irvine made it up by winning by resounding margins among fiscal and foreign policy conservatives.
Warner ran a moderately hard campaign, but a moderately hard campaign was not hard enough when faced with enormous resistance from social conservatives. Her "Department of Equality" proposal, as well as several liberal positions on issues important to conservatives sunk her.
Surratt wasn't trusted by conservatives partly because of his origin (Massachusetts) and partly because of his positions on issues like immigration (calling for a guest worker program).

While the fate of the two bottom candidates is uncertain (Warner is polling higher in Maine and New Hampshire, and Surratt has a better shot in more liberal states as well), all three top candidates will be in the race.

Analysis (Democrats): Senator Clark barely edged out a victory in a somewhat more lackadaisical race. This was a more straightforward victory. He picked up key endorsements, ran good ads, and ran a strong grassroots campaign.
That said, this race was incredibly close, and it would be a surprise if any Democrats dropped out.



((OOC: Now before I get complaints, let me just say that I figured this out not just based on sheer volume, or even just on quality, but on the way a state like Iowa actually works. It has a large evangelical populace, which I split between Strunk and Irvine (Strunk won the majority because he campaigned harder and more "religiously"). I figured Rottnek would get swamped in this section of the populace because of his moderate positions. Yet Rottnek had a strong base of moderates, which cemented his second place finish. I then had the first place spot to give to whomever establishment conservatives voted for. Irvine had the key endorsements and the right type of campaign to carry that block. On the Democratic side it was purely just the grading I did. Clark edged it out.))
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[Jackal]

Final Results In!

[Jackal]

Senator Burton on Senator Clark's Victory: It was a good fight, vitrually identical for second place. I congratulate Mr. Clark on his well earned victory. That said, this is the beginning, we still have 49 states to go, let the people vote!

[Jackal]

Senator Irvine gives the following victory speech in a room packed with enthusiastic supporters, many waving campaign posters and wearing Irvine '08 t-shirts to show their support.

"Thank you. Thank you, voters of Iowa, for your support and all your hard work in helping me achieve this victory today. Without your faith and commitment we would never have been able to win this vital first step towards the White House, and I am immensely grateful to you for it. As you all know, I am running to serve America, and to champion the ideas I believe will help us do what every American generation has managed to do: to make from our challenges a stronger America and a better world.

I intend to do that by fighting for the principles and policies I believe best serve the interests of the American people. Although it is still a long way off, I pledge that as president I will fight for a government that takes and spends less of your money and puts that which it does tax to good use. In the White House, I will lead a government that shows respect for our rights and values, one that provides a strong and capable defense, and one that encourages the enterprise and innovation of individuals, businesses and families, who know best how to advance America’s economy, and secure the dreams that have made us the greatest nation in history.

As I have done my entire career, in the Navy and as a Senator, I will make my case to every American who will listen. I will not confine myself to the comfort of speaking only to those who agree with me, and instead I will make my case to all the people. I will listen to those who disagree, and attempt to persuade them. I will debate with them, and I will learn from them. But I will fight every moment of every day for what I believe is right for this country, and I will not give up until that goal is achieved. And, my friends, I promise you that this is only the first of many victories I will achieve throughout the next half year. I am fired up and ready to go and fight for the American people, all the way to the White House!

Thank you all, and God bless America!"

[Jackal]

Senator Clark's Victory Speech in Des Moines

Thank you, Iowa.

You said the time has come to move beyond the fiscal mismanagement that has consumed Washington; to end the politics that's been all about fear and instead make it about reform, and progress - to build a force of change through Red States and Blue States. Because that's how we'll win in November, and that's how we'll solve the problems facing America. We're sending a strong message to Washington that reform is coming.

I'll be a President that is fiscally responsible, that respects Civil liberty, that has a properly funs the education system, that will fight against poverty, global warming and Genocide.

This will be an intense election because people really care about what is happening to our country. So many of the people who talk to me every single day are worried about the economy, health care and education. We can build an America with a strong Economy, a world-class healthcare system, and a world-class education system.

Tonight, we are one step closer to that vision of America because of what you did here in Iowa. I'd like to thank the volunteers, staff, and my campaign team for making this all possible. Furthermore, I would like to thank Senate Majority leader Paterson, Democratic Party Chairman Maximiliano, and Senator Bredesen for their endorsements, and their tireless work in Iowa speaking about myself, and my campaign. I am thrilled to have had this vote of confidence that you have given me today.

Thank you, Iowa.

I know you didn't do this for me. You did this-you did this because you believe, as I do, deeply in the American ideals of equality, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and the american dream. Rebuilding that dream is what we started here in Iowa, and that is the message we can now carry to the rest of the country.

Thank you, Iowa.

[Jackal]

More Primary Results Announced!



Wyoming Republican Convention

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Republican Caucus[/SIZE]
24 Delegates Total
Irvine: 12
Strunk: 8
Rottnek: 4
Warner: 0
Surratt: 0

New Hampshire[/SIZE]

Republican Caucus[/SIZE]
Precincts Reporting: 100%
Rottnek: 38% (8 Delegates)
Warner: 20% (2 Delegates)
Strunk: 18% (1 Delegates)
Irvine: 18% (1 Delegate)
Surratt: 6% (0 Delegates)

Democratic Caucus[/SIZE]
Precincts Reporting: 100%
Lilidge: 37% (9 Delegates)
Clark: 35% (8 Delegates)
Burton: 28% (5 Delegates)[/FONT][/center]

[Matt]

Republican Delegate Totals
Irvine - 26
Rottnek - 23
Strunk - 18
Warner - 3
Surratt - 0

Democratic Delegate Totals
Clark - 25
Lilidge - 24
Burton - 18

[Jackal]

Senator Lilidge Victory Speech

Thank you New Hampshire!

First I would like to thank my wife for her support during my time of public service! Thank you to all of the volunteers who gave their time to this campaign and thank you to Senator Boyd, my national campaign co-chair, for all of your hard work.

Tonight the people of New Hampshire have spoken. Through their votes, they have said to America, it is time. It is time for a New American Century!

From time to time time a nation must reflect upon its position in the course of history and this world. America's a position is one of great power, but also of great responsibility. Just under a century ago, American troops set foot on European soil to defeat an enemy intent on imposing an imperial regime upon the free people of Europe.

Only twenty four years later, the United States once again answered the call to arms in the defense of freedom, and we fought a bloody struggle to put an end to tyranny in Japan and Germany. In the place of oppression, democracy flourished, and grew. From the sacrifice of our fathers and grandfathers grew the promise of liberty for people across the world, and without the United States, many of those people would still be under the thumb of tyrants to this day.

This promise, however, could not overcome the destruction of the Second World War for some. A new empire rose in its place, this one a communist threat to our way of life. Intent on the destruction of democracy and the fundamental rights we all enjoy, the Soviet Union attempted to stamp out the fire of liberty. But, through our leadership, the Free World rallied, and the last great outpost of tyranny collapsed.

The 20th century was a violent century, but it was also a great century, and it was our century -- it was a century which saw the defeat of tyrants and the rise of liberty around the world. It saw the final progression of history from oppression to democracy. But today, democracy is not secure. It is threatened by terrorists who would seek to impose their own brand of radical ideologies upon all of us. It's threatened by the growing power of extremism in all corners of the globe. It's threatened by a resurgent movement towards oligarchy and oppression. Democracy, my friends, is in peril.

Once again, a burden has fallen on the United States, and once again, we must act as shepherds for the rest of the world. For years, we have shirked the burden of leading the world into a new day of freedom. We must rise as the world's brightest beacon of liberty and democracy to shine that light upon the darkness of fundamentalism and radical dictatorships across the world.

But, we cannot lead the world when we don't have leadership at home. We need leadership to ensure every American has affordable and quality healthcare through the American Choice Plan. We need, ladies and gentlemen, leadership to do what we all know must be done in order to give every child a world-class education, and the opportunity to achieve even greater heights at university and college. We must show the leadership to return the nation to our heyday of prosperity and strength through balanced budgets and a 10% tax break for the middle class.

We need that leadership at home if we are to be a strong country, and a proud country; ladies and gentlemen, we need that good guidance and governance now more than ever. I'm running for President because I envision a New American Century. I envision a time of leadership, strength, and prosperity, and I know that time is now.

We can choose to continue on the path down which we have traveled for the past eight years, and condemn ourselves to a stagnant and anemic United States, or we can act with courage, dignity, and pride -- we can choose to lead the march of nations into this new century.

America is a great nation, but with strong leadership at home and abroad, we can be even greater. Give me the chance to lead -- I will make you proud, and we will make this a New American Century!

God Bless You and God Bless the United States of America!

[Jackal]

Up to the Minute Results as We Get Them!

We don't have results yet, but we expect them soon.

[Jackal]

Final January Results!

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Michigan[/SIZE]

Republicans[/SIZE]
Precincts Reporting: 100%
Irvine: 48% (20 Delegates)
Strunk: 43% (10 Delegates)
Warner: 9% (0 Delegates)

Democrats[/SIZE]
Precincts Reporting: 100%
Lilidge: 39% (27 Delegates)
Clark: 37% (25 Delegates)
Burton: 24% (12 Delegates)


South Carolina[/SIZE]

Republicans[/SIZE]
Precincts Reporting: 100%
Strunk: 48% (19 Delegates)
Irvine: 45% (4 Delegates)
Warner: 7% (0 Delegates)

Democrats[/SIZE]
Precincts Reporting: 100%
Clark: 49% (23 Delegates)
Lilidge: 41% (17 Delegates)
Burton: 10% (5 Delegates)


Nevada Caucus[/SIZE]

Republicans[/SIZE]
Precincts Reporting: 100%
Irvine: 47% (17 Delegates)
Strunk: 41% (12 Delegates)
Warner: 12% (2 Delegates)

Democrats[/SIZE]
Precincts Reporting: 100%
Lilidge: 50% (7 Delegates)
Clark: 47% (5 Delegates)
Burton: 3% (0 Delegates)


Louisiana Caucus[/SIZE]

Republicans[/SIZE]
Precincts Reporting: 100%
Strunk: 48% (3 Delegates; Technically Uncommitted, but will vote for Strunk)
Irvine: 47% (0 Delegates)
Warner: 5% (0 Delegates)


Hawaii Convention[/SIZE]

Republicans[/SIZE]
Precincts Reporting: 100%
Irvine: 11 Delegates
Strunk: 8 Delegates
Warner: 1 Delegates


Florida[/SIZE]

Republicans[/SIZE]
Precincts Reporting: 100%
Irvine: 46% (57 Delegates)
Strunk: 43% (0 Delegates)
Warner: 11% (0 Delegates)

Democrats[/SIZE]
Precincts Reporting: 100%
Lilidge: 50% (50 Delegates)
Clark: 47% (42 Delegates)
Burton: 3% (0 Delegates)

Maine[/SIZE]

Republicans[/SIZE]
Precincts Reporting: 100%
Warner: 38% (18 Delegates)
Irvine:34% (0 Delegates)
Strunk: 28 (0 Delegates)


DELEGATE TOTALS CALCULATED!

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[Jackal]

Republican Delegate Totals
Irvine - 130
Strunk - 93
Warner - 24

[Jackal]

Democratic Delegate Totals
Lilidge - 125
Clark - 120
Burton - 35