Mitt Romney could be stripped of Maine win

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Campaign 2012

Last Saturday, the Maine Republican Party declared Mitt Romney the winner of the Maine caucuses. The non-binding caucuses were a low turnout affair, but Romney's victory over Ron Paul - who he beat by less than 200 votes - was a chance for Romney to reclaim some momentum in the wake of Rick Santorum's three-state sweep four days earlier.

Now, however, it looks like Romney could ultimately be stripped of that victory. If that happens, it will be the second time this cycle Romney has been stripped of a caucus victory. The first came in Iowa, where Santorum was declared the winner following a (flawed) recount.

The Maine GOP allowed communities to schedule their caucuses between Feb. 4 and Feb. 11 if they wanted them to be counted in the final tally. Some areas elected to schedule their caucuses outside that window, and the Maine GOP said those caucuses would not count. Fair enough. But according to the Bangor Daily News, some caucuses that took place within the designated window were also not counted.

In addition, one important caucus - in Washington County - was rescheduled from last Saturday, when it would have been within the window, to this Saturday due to the threat of bad weather. Paul's campaign questioned the decision to move the caucus, suggesting political interference; in a statement stating the weather report did not predict a serious storm, it said "the votes of Washington County would have been enough to put us over the top. This is an outrage."

Paul actually didn't do well in Washington County in the 2008 cycle, but his campaign saw it as a stronghold this time around. And Paul supporters have been pushing backers of the Texas lawmaker to show up in droves this Saturday for the rescheduled caucuses. In light of the low-turnout nature of the caucuses - Romney's vote total was just 2,190 - a big turnout there could swing the race, if the caucus ends up being counted.

Politico obtained an email from the Maine GOP suggesting officials are now engaged in a recount. It remains unclear if the party plans to officially change the vote totals, or if it will decide to count the rescheduled Washington Country caucus.

The Maine caucuses are non-binding, so it doesn't technically matter who won - delegates to the national convention will actually be decided at Maine's state convention in early May. But headlines stating that he actually didn't win the Maine caucuses could hamper Romney, particularly if they come at the wrong time. The Maine GOP is currently schedule to meet on March 10 - the Saturday after Super Tuesday - when it plans to revisit the caucus results.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by bobnjersey February 21, 2012 5:44 PM EST: [In addition, one important caucus - in Washington County - was rescheduled from last Saturday, when it would have been within the window, to this Saturday due to the threat of bad weather. ]
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well ... having good weather is definitely most important ... and surely more important than the voting occurring within the window where they can be counted.

why bother at all if your count isn't representing everyone's intent?; Reply to this comment


by uisignorant February 20, 2012 8:25 AM EST: I do think Maine has the stupidest method if caucusing in the world.; Reply to this comment

by jimatmadison February 18, 2012 6:30 PM EST

Of all of the things that Republicans are completely incompetent at, running elections is obviously near the top of the list.

But it's a reeeaallllyy long list.

Reply to this comment


by Americanist February 20, 2012 3:58 AM EST: As a clear example of the "snuffing out of Ron Paul" in the media, take a look at the long list of articles under this original article's page. Out of at least 16 items, not one article mentions Ron Paul in the headlines! And that's fine to snuff out the man who came in second in New Hampshire in the Democratic primary? Again, what hasn't been reported at all is that Ron Paul got more votes from the Democrats in New Hampshire primary than all the others. Oh, but there's no bias in the media... noooooo!

by euge005 February 17, 2012 8:37 PM EST

what a bunch of clowns. they have tried twice now to use the party insiders to influence a state election to benefit their mainstream establishment guy. but then if they had any shame they would not be republicans. watch for the same thing from the tes party gov like Jeb Boy did in Florida in 2000 gifting us with his nit wit brother, a war of aggression and the economic melt down. great job there brownie.

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by pbmaise February 18, 2012 2:38 AM EST: "In a functioning democracy, the public must have faith that its representatives owe their positions to the people, not to the corporations with the deepest pockets"
Justice John Paul Stevens

It is time Maine fell in line and followed exactly what GOP party says or risk loss of Federal funding. Get real, this isn't a democracy and Maine will pay the price if this vote is reversed. Stay home Washington Voters. Watch TV see a movie. Pretend you don't care don't matter. BTW change that name Washington it should be dead beat county


by ComeAndTakeIt February 17, 2012 3:00 PM EST: Stick it to 'em, Washington County.

Let them know how you feel about your disfranchisement.

If we don't send a clear message now, that we are no longing willing to tolerate this sort of tomfoolery, we may never get another chance.; Reply to this comment

by jimbom121 February 17, 2012 2:55 PM EST

How hard is it to calculate votes in a caucus???

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by euge005 February 17, 2012 8:39 PM EST: it is cold up there and they had to take their shoes off to count that high.


by The_General_1968 February 17, 2012 1:38 PM EST: This is an outrage!
Here's an easy way to make an educated choice about who to vote for in November:
Google and watch these three youtube documentaries:
"Power of Nightmares" - foreign policy truth BBC documentary
"Money as Debt" - clearly explains who controls the money and power
Google "Michael Scheuer Iran" - ex-CIA head Bin Laden unit explains our foreign policy and fear of Iran
Google and watch "Predictions in Due Time"
Then you can consider yourself educated and ready to cast your vote.; Reply to this comment


by Lindag10 February 17, 2012 12:28 PM EST: Sounds like deja vu all over again. Mittens sure has had his problems lately and Santorum seems to be the "flavor of the week". Had to drop it to week as they go in and out of style so quickly now.; Reply to this comment


by ThanksABundle February 17, 2012 8:59 AM EST: I never thought I'd say this, but thank you CBS for being the only major news network to carry this story. It is curiously absent on Fox, NBC, ABC and CNN; Reply to this comment


by RespectOthersAlways1 February 17, 2012 7:56 AM EST: "Headlines stating that he (Romney) actually didn't win the Maine caucuses could hamper Romney, particularly if they come at the wrong time." Very interesting. What about stolen victories when GOP leaders falsify or rig caucus results to boost Romney at the right time? Iowa, Maine...Romney's money and PAC are buying up Republican leaders and they will do everything necessary to manufacture a front-runner status for the flip-flopping Mormon.; Reply to this comment