Rangeley
Member
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2007
- Messages
- 1,255
I think its easy to get lost in an event seemingly as large as this. A lot of people are wondering how New Hampshire, a state we had a lot of strength in, ended up giving us worse results than Iowa. The answer, as far as I can see it, is simple. It was turnout. Now before you take this the wrong way, it wasn't our turnout, it was everyone else's. Iowa turnout is always impressively low due to it being a caucus. Turnout in NH was impressively high this year. There was great weather, tons of hype, and it was easy to participate unlike in Iowa.
We outperformed other candidates in Iowa as far as turnout goes, hence our 10% showing. We also had a great turnout in New Hampshire, according to the information I have seen. We nearly won the college age demographic, just one point short of McCain, who won the state. But our organization and enthusiasm, I am afraid to say, was less of an edge on other candidates due to the conditions in New Hampshire.
I think our GOTV campaign was brilliant, and I want to thank everyone who went out there, voted, and helped get others to do the same. We came in 5th, yes. I know we all hoped for better. But we were competitive for 4th, and I know I'm not alone when I say that it was quite the ride as we followed results tonight. The media will not cover this, but that is no reason for us not to take pride in just what an accomplishment this really is for a candidate that, one year ago today, few could have imagined would ever be competitive for anything but a last place side note like a Gravel or a Kucinich.
We have the money to keep going, and as shown by Iowa, New Hampshire, and even the peculiar Wyoming caucus, we have support throughout America, and supporters who are dedicated. We have a lot of elections ahead of us, and the spotlight of the media will never quite match the singular intensity that was felt tonight in New Hampshire. This dedication, and effective GOTV effort will be more of an edge in these areas where our enthusiasm will likely count for much more.
I know a lot of people act as though they have a silver bullet to win this, and I dont want to claim that I do. But what I will say is that we should not sit back and count on this enthusiasm to carry us. We need to continue to reach out to others, recruit new supporters, and spread the message. Give them the message so they too can be enthusiastic and participate in the process.
But as Ron Paul has said, "This is not the end, this is the beginning." This is the beginning of something that is bigger than this campaign, bigger than an election in New Hampshire, bigger than the entire election. These ideas will not end with the conclusion of these events, they will live on and be carried by those they have inspired. Be proud of the showing in New Hampshire, and understand that there is more to come. This is the beginning.
We outperformed other candidates in Iowa as far as turnout goes, hence our 10% showing. We also had a great turnout in New Hampshire, according to the information I have seen. We nearly won the college age demographic, just one point short of McCain, who won the state. But our organization and enthusiasm, I am afraid to say, was less of an edge on other candidates due to the conditions in New Hampshire.
I think our GOTV campaign was brilliant, and I want to thank everyone who went out there, voted, and helped get others to do the same. We came in 5th, yes. I know we all hoped for better. But we were competitive for 4th, and I know I'm not alone when I say that it was quite the ride as we followed results tonight. The media will not cover this, but that is no reason for us not to take pride in just what an accomplishment this really is for a candidate that, one year ago today, few could have imagined would ever be competitive for anything but a last place side note like a Gravel or a Kucinich.
We have the money to keep going, and as shown by Iowa, New Hampshire, and even the peculiar Wyoming caucus, we have support throughout America, and supporters who are dedicated. We have a lot of elections ahead of us, and the spotlight of the media will never quite match the singular intensity that was felt tonight in New Hampshire. This dedication, and effective GOTV effort will be more of an edge in these areas where our enthusiasm will likely count for much more.
I know a lot of people act as though they have a silver bullet to win this, and I dont want to claim that I do. But what I will say is that we should not sit back and count on this enthusiasm to carry us. We need to continue to reach out to others, recruit new supporters, and spread the message. Give them the message so they too can be enthusiastic and participate in the process.
But as Ron Paul has said, "This is not the end, this is the beginning." This is the beginning of something that is bigger than this campaign, bigger than an election in New Hampshire, bigger than the entire election. These ideas will not end with the conclusion of these events, they will live on and be carried by those they have inspired. Be proud of the showing in New Hampshire, and understand that there is more to come. This is the beginning.
