The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

IOWA CAUCUS RESULTS HQ
UPDATE: Santorum Surge in Precinct Numbers Exceeds Poll Projections

Posted on | January 3, 2012 | 72 Comments

JOHNSTON, Iowa
UPDATE 2:30 a.m. CT: Well, I’ve hit my deadline for The American Spectator, and Phil Klein of the Washington Examiner has invited me to breakfast. All rest of the press corps have left the Stoney Brook here, except for a guy filing an article for a French magazine. And this will be my final update of the night/early morning. Here’s a picture of the candidate and his family:

They were accepting a gift from one of their Iowa supporters. And I want to thank all of our readers — and Smitty, and my wife — for helping make this trip possible. Here’s the obligatory photo of the National Affairs Desk:

I’m outta here. I’ll be flying out Thursday to New Hampshire. Hit the freaking tip jar!

UPDATE 12:20 a.m. CT: Finally collected the beer that Santorum’s Iowa field director Jake Braunger had promised me. That 24-year-old kid just became an American political legend. Not for buying me a beer, but for leading the grassroots army which — as of this point, with 99% of the precincts reporting — has Santorum winning with an 18-vote margin.

UPDATE 11:50 p.m. CT: Just got through with Senator Santor’s victory speech. Robert Costa of NRO and I were back by the door. The room was packed past fire-code capacity and the cops wouldn’t let anyone else in. That was when the New York Times photographer showed up and tried to get past the cops.

No way, the cops wouldn’t yield. “But … I’m from the New York Times.”

The cops didn’t care. Nobody was getting past them.

A triumph for The Rule of Law in the American Heartland.

And I remember when Santorum couldn’t get any national media coverage except . . . Well, me.

UPDATE 10:53 p.m. CT: Rick Perry just began his concession speech — a humiliating fifth-place finish for the former front-runner. Can’t hear the TV here in the Loose Moose Saloon, so I’m not sure, but I think he started his speech with four words: “Howdy. Thank you, Erick.”

UPDATE 10:45 p.m. CT: Gingrich and Bachmann have given their concession speeches. When will Mitt Romney give the speech admitting that he just got beat by Rick Santorum, a guy who spent a mere fraction of what the perennial front-runner spent? The natives here are getting restless waiting for the victory speech, and I’ve got an editor in Washington, D.C., waiting for me to file a column tonight.

Best thing about being a U.S. ambassador, I’m told: There are no deadlines in the diplomatic corps. Hit the freaking tip jar!

UPDATE 10:10 p.m. CT: Ron Paul just conceded. He’ll finish third. Here at Santorum Victory HQ, a campaign spokesman just did a mike-check at the party: “Let’s just say that Senator Santorum is in high spirits.” A speech by the man of the hour is expected shortly. The scene inside the big room:

I’ll have to go wedge myself into that room, if I’m gonna get video. So it will be a few minutes before I can update again.

Hit the freaking tip jar!

UPDATE 9:27 p.m. CT: Results with 49% of precincts:

Rick Santorum …. 13,594 (24%)
Mitt Romney …… 13,204 (24%)
Ron Paul …………. 12,205 (22%)
Newt Gingrich ….. 7,426 (13%)
Rick Perry ……….. 5,544 (10%)
Bachmann ………… 3,140 (6%)

Santorum now has more votes than Gingrich and Perry combined.

UPDATE 9:20 p.m. CT: Demonstrating the power of Rick Santorum to bring America together, I have just revoked all my previous threats to whup David Brooks’s ass:

Good-bye, grassroots populist street cred! Hello, Vanuatu!

UPDATE 8:55 p.m. CT: The latest with 31% of precincts:

Mitt Romney …… 7,844 (23%)
Rick Santorum …. 7,726 (23%)
Ron Paul …………. 7,655 (23%)
Newt Gingrich ….. 4,440 (13%)
Rick Perry ……….. 3,433 (10%)
Bachmann …………. 1,922 (6%)

Just bumped into a member of Santorum’s South Carolina organization — y’know, the organization that all the Smart Guy pundits keep saying Santorum doesn’t have — who said to me: “Vanuatu’s looking pretty good now, huh?”

Yeah. They read my stuff.

(9:15 p.m. CT: Smitty compiled the following aggregation of links.)

Nate Silver:Why I’d Bet on Santorum (and Against My Model)

Our model is more optimistic about Mr. Santorum than those of other objective forecasting systems, which give him about 16 percent of the vote. The reason is that our model gives extra credit to Mr. Santorum for his momentum in the closing days of the campaign. But there is some reason to think that it is still giving Mr. Santorum too little credit.
The momentum factor in our model is derived from an analysis of competitive primaries and caucuses throughout the country since 1980. It does not contain any Iowa-specific variables, although it does recognize that polling in Iowa and other early-voting states tends to be more erratic than polling in later-voting states.
There is reason to think, however, that momentum might be especially important in Iowa.

Erick Erickson:What if Santorum Wins?

If Santorum wins, a lot of people will be correct in saying Mitt Romney is still a winner because Santorum has no money or real organization to go beyond Iowa.
But my God in Heaven, the media is finally going to be confronted with an “Emperor Has No Clothes” moment on Romney too. That remains the most under reported story of 2012. Mitt Romney, campaigning since 2006 for President has managed to go from 23% to 23% in six years.

The Hill:Ron Paul supporters heckle Santorum“:

Rick Santorum was heckled by Ron Paul supporters as he left a high school in West Des Moines on Tuesday. The crowd chanted “Big-spending Rick” and “nah nah nah nah, hey hey hey, goodbye.” When The Hill asked Santorum what he thought of the crowd as they began chanting, he paused, smiled tightly and said “It’s the crowd at the caucuses that matters.”

UPDATE 8:32 p.m. CT: The latest numbers, with 24% of precincts reporting:

Ron Paul …………. 6,067
Rick Santorum …. 6,060
Mitt Romney …… 6,018

I hereby demand a personal apology from everyone who ever said that either Gingrich or Perry were the only candidates who could stop Romney.

* * * PREVIOUSLY (7 p.m. CT) * * *

Greetings from the beautiful Stoney Creek Inn, scene of tonight’s Rick Santorum victory party. It is now 7 p.m. CT, which means that Iowa Republicans have just assembled in precinct caucus locations across the Hawkeye State where they will cast the ballots that will determine the GOP nomination next President of the United States destiny of the Free World fate of all humanity.

If you’re in Iowa tonight, it’s important that you come to the beautiful Stoney Creek Inn so you can celebrate Rick Santorum’s victory and also, incidentally, buy me beers.

If you’re not in Iowa tonight, we will be bringing you all the news and results from tonight’s contest, the results of which are impossible to predict beyond the fact — a Neutral Objective Fact — that Rick Santorum will crush all rivals like Godzilla stomped Tokyo. And you’ll want to refresh the site throughout the night for continuous updates as soon as these dadgum Iowa voters decide whether they want to

A. Vote for Rick Santorum, the Only Man Who Can Save America From Another Four Years of Barack Obama™;
B. Sell their souls to the GOP Establishment by voting for the Worst RINO in the History of RINO-dom.
C. Cast a protest vote against the “Israel lobby,” IYKWIMAITYD; or
D. Waste their votes on some doomstruck loser.

You may disagree with that assessment, but it’s as valid as Joy McCann’s ridiculous arguments on behalf of one of those doomstruck losers.

UPDATE 7:44 p.m. CT: Bad news. Rick Santorum Victory Celebration has . . . a cash bar.

I just told the lady I should be covering the the Romney campaign, where I’m sure the press gets all the free booze they want.

UPDATE 7:54 p.m. CT: A couple of photos:


The lady at the Media Credentials Check-In Table searches her database for the name of the Future Ambassador to Vanuatu.


Campaign manager Mike Biundo, who just gave an impromptu press conference here at the Loose Moose Saloon, which is where the press filing center is located. Zeke Miller of Buzz Feed Politics supplies the quotes. (I figure the junior members of the press corps do the transcription.)

The first results on TV showed a neck-and-neck tie, with Santorum actually leading and, when I said, “Santorum leading!” Somebody in the press filing center said, “Four percent” — the percentage of precincts reporting. To which I replied, “Don’t harsh my mellow, man.”

UPDATE 8:20 p.m. CT: Guess who showed up at Santorum HQ? The guy who’s been badmouthing Santorum for days:

The latest Iowa returns show Rick Perry a weak fifth place, barely 10% in Iowa. “Howdy. Thank you, Erick.”


Comments

72 Responses to “IOWA CAUCUS RESULTS HQ
UPDATE: Santorum Surge in Precinct Numbers Exceeds Poll Projections”

  1. Datechguy's Blog » Blog Archive » Mitt Romney Electabale my …. » Datechguy's Blog
    January 4th, 2012 @ 1:22 am

    […] hands and Rick Santorum is going to be the man to give it to him. Or as Stacy McCain would put it, Vanuatu here I come! Share this:PrintRedditDiggStumbleUponEmailFacebook opinions powered by SendLove.to […]

  2. Rick Santorum: Cinderella-Man « Nice Deb
    January 4th, 2012 @ 1:27 am

    […] RS McCain reports some intriguing news tonight at Santorum’s headquarters: Just got through with Senator Santor’s victory speech. Robert Costa of NRO and I were back by the door. The room was packed past fire-code capacity and the cops wouldn’t let anyone else in. That was when the New York Times photographer showed up and tried to get past the cops. […]

  3. EBL
    January 4th, 2012 @ 2:06 am
  4. EBL
    January 4th, 2012 @ 2:38 am
  5. Anonymous
    January 4th, 2012 @ 2:56 am

    Among my many skills, wandering through the background of TV reporters’ live shots.

  6. smokedaddy
    January 4th, 2012 @ 3:20 am

    All I know is that this is one of those special moments that will become part of history. I know Stacy is feeling the moment and deserves lots & lots of kudos & manna about now.
    With  Perry pulling out, and Newt about to go all kamikaze on Mitt’s behind, the stars couldn’t be better alligned for our boy Rick right now. Let”s hope to God Michelle actually sees some light and exchanges those SC tickets for one back to Minnysota. After watching Newt’s concession speech, my sense is that he’d almost rather cooperate with Santorum as the bad cop and take out Romney than make a likely futile attempt at resuscitating his image to win the nomination himself. Whadya say to a Vice President Gingrich?

  7. Raucous in the Caucus – Will Santorum Squeak Out a Win? (News Round-up) | FavStocks
    January 4th, 2012 @ 3:24 am

    […] Other McCain: IOWA CAUCUS RESULTS HQ UPDATE: Santorum Surge in Precinct Numbers Exceeds Poll Projections Linked by Michelle Malkin, […]

  8. Rick Santorum: Cinderella-Man | FavStocks
    January 4th, 2012 @ 3:24 am

    […] RS McCain reports some intriguing news tonight from Santorum’s headquarters: Just got through with Senator Santor’s victory speech. Robert Costa of NRO and I were back by the door. The room was packed past fire-code capacity and the cops wouldn’t let anyone else in. That was when the New York Times photographer showed up and tried to get past the cops. […]

  9. EBL
    January 4th, 2012 @ 4:07 am

    Now they are saying Mitt Romney won.  Still a big night for Rick.  http://evilbloggerlady.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-humble-advice-to-rick-santorum.html

  10. Adjoran
    January 4th, 2012 @ 6:44 am

    Whadya say to a Vice President Gingrich?

    I say thee, “NAY!”

    He brings absolutely nothing to the ticket.  Winning a debate against Joe Biden would be a footnote in the campaign, win or lose.  And other than that, Newt’s a drag on the ticket.

  11. Anonymous
    January 4th, 2012 @ 7:20 am

    And again, no horse in this race. My position is basically ABM.  Glad Stacy’s predictions have worked out for him.  

  12. Mitt Wins Iowa, Bachmann And Perry Likely To Drop Out | Right Wing News
    January 4th, 2012 @ 9:04 am

    […] it going as they head into New Hampshire and South Carolina? That remains to be seen. It does make The Other McCain very happy, being a big Rick supporter, who shows that Santorum did much better than polls were […]

  13. Mitt Wins Iowa, Bachmann And Perry Likely To Drop Out » Pirate's Cove
    January 4th, 2012 @ 9:05 am

    […] it going as they head into New Hampshire and South Carolina? That remains to be seen. It does make The Other McCain very happy, being a big Rick supporter, who shows that Santorum did much better than polls were […]

  14. ThePaganTemple
    January 4th, 2012 @ 9:36 am

    Michelle is quitting. Now if Rick Perry would just do the right thing and bug out, I might have to reassess my earlier contention that Mitt can’t be beat for the nomination. In a way, it doesn’t really matter if Newt stays in. I can see a scenario where he hands all his delegates over to Santorum at the convention. That might come with the expectation of a deal. I’d be fine with Gingrich as VP in some respects, but hopefully if he gets the gig he’ll realize how effective negative campaigning can be. Not to mention how much fun.

  15. ThePaganTemple
    January 4th, 2012 @ 9:40 am

    Yes he does. He’d eviscerate Biden. And more importantly by far, he’d slice and dice the fucking press, hopefully in as brutal and as merciless a manner as they deserve. Some of the older fucktards like Bob Schieffer might even have nightmares of Spiro Agnew ass-raping them at night. Well, in Schieffer’s case that might not be a “nightmare” per say, but you get the point.

    Besides, since Bachmann is out, we need a top level elected official who will keep drawing attention to the real problems of education pertaining not just to teacher’s unions, but to leftist progressive dominance at the university level.

  16. Anonymous
    January 4th, 2012 @ 10:08 am
  17. Iowa and Some Pretty Pictures « Obi's Sister
    January 4th, 2012 @ 10:44 am

    […] biggest news of the night, however, was that Stacy made up with David Brooks. Stacy is heading to NH next, so hit his tip jar! Share […]

  18. Red
    January 4th, 2012 @ 1:24 pm

    “I hereby demand a personal apology from everyone who ever said that
    either Gingrich or Perry were the only candidates who could stop Romney.”

    Sowwy Stacy 🙁 Although I never expressed those sentiments but I did support Gingrich over Santorum simply because I thought he was more of a sure bet. MMm-mm, that’s good crow.

  19. Red
    January 4th, 2012 @ 1:25 pm

    Compromising photos with farm animals might be more persuasive.

  20. M
    January 4th, 2012 @ 1:37 pm

    I have this funny feeling that Santorum will be better off with that second place (hah! – even calling it that) photo-finish (that’s more accurate), than if he had won Iowa outright.

    Don’t know why I think that, though.

    Thoughts?

  21. Mitt Wins Iowa, Bachmann And Perry Likely to Drop Out : Stop The ACLU
    January 4th, 2012 @ 1:38 pm

    […] it going as they head into New Hampshire and South Carolina? That remains to be seen. It does make The Other McCain very happy, being a big Rick supporter, who shows that Santorum did much better than polls were […]

  22. Blogs That Make You Cooler: The Other McCain Does the Primaries!
    January 5th, 2012 @ 5:16 pm

    […] Iowa Caucus Results HQ Be sure to check it out; it’ll surely make you cooler. Don’t forget to follow The Dysfunction Junction on Twitter, Like us on Facebook, and sign up for daily e-mail updates for your chance to win one of two $500 Visa Gift Cards.  Click HERE to find out more about you can win. […]