Hugo W1P1, W2P1, W2P2, W3P1

[tcindie]

Hey gang,

Here's the caucus results for all of Hugo, MN

Ward 1, Precinct 1:

Romney 24
Paul 13
McCain 12
Huckabee 7
Other 2

Ward 2, Precint 1:

Romney 21
Huckabee 16
McCain 11
Paul 3

Ward 2, Precint 2:

Romney 6
Paul 3
McCain 2
Huckabee 2

Ward 3, Precinct 1:

Romney 14
McCain 9
Paul 3

Totals:
Romney 65
McCain 34
Huckabee 25
Paul 22
Other 2

I didn't get a chance to talk to all the delegates, so I only know of two confirmed Ron Paul delegates, but I also talked to another who supports Ron Paul but feels his vote will be wasted if the delegate showing isn't strong enough and if close between McCain and Romney he'd vote Romney, also two (the two who voted for "other" which was Alan Keyes), are thus far undecided, they like everything about Paul except the foreign policy -- specifically the withdrawl from Iraq, they support removing our presence from all the other foreign bases.

Overall, it didn't turn out quite as well as I would have hoped, but I see that the work I put into my precinct didn't go without notice, given the much higher vote count in W1P1 than the others. Also, I know for certain that my personal statement and endorsement affected one vote, as there were two other entries on that ticket that were scratched off.

We also had several platform amendments submitted, a total of 5 or 6 I believe.

One was for banning further development of ethanol plants until an environmental impact survey is done to determine the long term effects on our aquifers.
One was for loosening the regulations that prevent development of nuclear plants
There were several that related to not supporting global warming as being caused by man, and not supporting further taxes associated with it (carbon tax, et al)
And my resolution to require every city and municipality to hold a vote to determine whether or not to continue fluoridation of the public water system (that was the agreed upon rewrite of my initial resolution that would just outright ban fluoridation of public water systems) -- it passed ALMOST unanimously.

 

[tcindie]

Incidentally... I had a VERY brief interview from a pioneer press reporter after the straw poll -- prompted no doubt by my short speech/endorsement. I gave him my number to complete the interview at a later time, because I had to get back in to my precinct portion of the caucus, but hopefully he will contact me for a little more info. Because all we had time to cover was he asked me why I as a former military person support Ron Paul. All I had time to say was that it is pretty telling that when you look at the record of donations from Q4 the donations RP received from active military outnumbers all the other candidates COMBINED. Hopefully he'll contact me for more of a statement, but I may well be mentioned in the paper in the next day or two.

I know my statement changed at least one persons mind, because while watching the ballot count there was one that had marked McCain, scratched that out, marked Romney, scratched it out, and finally marked Ron Paul. The ballots were passed out prior to reading candidate statements and letting people speak on behalf of candidates.

Essentially all I said is that when I enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1999 I took an oath to protect the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, and that while some people think the constitution is "outdated" I certainly don't. "I believe in freedom, I believe in the constitution and I believe in Ron Paul." in a nutshell that was what I said.. but it was worded better when I spoke it. I actually received numerous compliments from people who were leaving after the straw poll, and several people walked by me, then turned around and came back complimented my speech and thanked me for serving the country.

 

[tcindie]

Turns out I was mentioned in the paper...

Here's the bit from the pioneer press article. I'm the Marine mentioned at the end of it... so, the last two lines are about me.

At the Republican caucus at Hugo City Hall, McCain took hits during pre-voting discussion for the perception that he's much more liberal than his rivals.

"We can't be Democrat Lite," said one who stood, pleading with caucusgoers.

But McCain supporters said he has had a "consistent record" and is "the only one with a legitimate shot" at beating the Democrats.

The largest applause, however, came for Ron Paul, who drew a holler and a few "Amens!"

"All the candidates other than Ron Paul are warmongers," said one man, who said war is a money-making business run by "international elitists." The man, who said he was an "Internet expert," refused to give his name, saying he was "fearful of the government."

Then a former Marine stood up - and supported Paul as well, despite Paul's stance on withdrawing U.S. troops from around the world.

Soldiers "don't want to go to war," said 29-year-old Hugo software developer Will Vincent. "They just want to protect constitutional rights," which Paul pledges to protect.

Overall it's a very lengthy article covering many different parts of the metro area.

The whole article is here: http://www.twincities.com/politics/ci_8179717

 

[LizF]

Thanks for your posts & your successful speech!

If only we'd had a few more like you out there....

 

[tcindie]

I'm nobody special... there's plenty of people like me.