Ron Paul already doing better than '08
LAS VEGAS - It's still really early but Paul has already performed better than he did in 2008 winning two counties: Nye and Esmeralda. Last time around Paul only won Nye, a rural county known for the once controversial Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump. Look for Paul to do well in the other rural counties, particularly Elko, as these tend to be bastions of leave-me-alone libertarianism.
If Paul fails to place second, though, it will be hard to see this as a victory for him but that's not what his campaign cares about. A win or very strong second place finish would be great for headlines but Paul is focused on picking up delegates to the state convention in Reno. All day Paul's supporters have been reporting their caucus results as well as the number of Paul friendly delegates elected to the state convention.
Why does Paul care about the state convention? It is where delegates for the Republican National Convention in Tampa will be selected. If Paul can amass a army of delegates he will have significant leverage at the national convention even if he does not win the nomination during the primary process.
Full disclosure: I donated to Ron Paul in 2008.
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