Mitt Romney's squeaker victory in Maine's GOP presidential caucuses is being challenged by Ron Paul, who has fixed the spotlight on a remote rural county and is asking this pressing question: Was it a heavy snowstorm or just a light dusting that fell Saturday night in the easternmost reaches of the state?
Anticipating inclement weather, GOP officials in Maine's Washington County postponed their Saturday caucus for a week. But state party officials said those belated votes won't be allowed to change the outcome they announced Saturday nightthat former Massachusetts Gov. Romney had won a statewide straw poll by 194 votes over Rep. Paul, a Texas libertarian.
Washington County Republicans have rescheduled the caucus for next Saturday in East Machias, which could become a mecca for aggrieved Ron Paul supporters who believe the county could provide him the margin of victory.
The county's Republican chairman, Chris Gardner, has petitioned the state GOP to factor in their votes. The state party committee will consider the request at its next meeting March 10, said Michael Quantrano, executive director of the Maine GOP.
In the meantime, Mr. Paul's supporters from around the country are flooding the Maine GOP office with complaints and accusations that Mr. Paul's defeat was rigged. "Does anyone have pics of the 'snowstorm' in Washington County," queried one skeptic on a Facebook page for Maine Paul supporters.
Paul Campaign Challenges Romney's Maine Win - WSJ.com
Anticipating inclement weather, GOP officials in Maine's Washington County postponed their Saturday caucus for a week. But state party officials said those belated votes won't be allowed to change the outcome they announced Saturday nightthat former Massachusetts Gov. Romney had won a statewide straw poll by 194 votes over Rep. Paul, a Texas libertarian.
Washington County Republicans have rescheduled the caucus for next Saturday in East Machias, which could become a mecca for aggrieved Ron Paul supporters who believe the county could provide him the margin of victory.
The county's Republican chairman, Chris Gardner, has petitioned the state GOP to factor in their votes. The state party committee will consider the request at its next meeting March 10, said Michael Quantrano, executive director of the Maine GOP.
In the meantime, Mr. Paul's supporters from around the country are flooding the Maine GOP office with complaints and accusations that Mr. Paul's defeat was rigged. "Does anyone have pics of the 'snowstorm' in Washington County," queried one skeptic on a Facebook page for Maine Paul supporters.
Paul Campaign Challenges Romney's Maine Win - WSJ.com