Caucus states

It is interesting how little the media knows about the workings of caucus states, When Mitt Romney won Minnesota's completely meaningless straw poll they assumed he would win the majority of delegates, part of the reason he probably didn't is because the media did not do a fair job of reporting how Minnesota delegates are elected and what they have to do based on straw poll results (completely ignore it). Despite a Romney victory and only 7 Ron Paul supporters at my caucus Ron Paul supporters won 5 of the delegate spots to Romney's 1 (keep in mind this was when Romney was still very much in the race and would have been the potential front runner if a couple extra states when his way that night). I imagine this scenario played out in many other places around he state and the country. Now with McCain as the only alternative we might even see some of these Romney voters support Paul as a form of protest. While there aren't enough caucus states to reverse McCain's eventual victory it may very well be that the media's laziness and inaccuracy allowed him to take on unbeatable status way to early. Of course it seems as if it was actually Romney who couldn't convert massive support into delegates despite the fact the media credited him with them.

Tuesday night is the house district convention it should be interesting to see how Paul delegates do.

Pawlenty veto override

The override of Governor Pawlenty yesterday is a shocking political development for this fiscal Conservative. Transportation is the easy sell when it comes to raising my tax dollars but the basic questions need to be are revenues high enough and is spending directed first to the priorities. The fact that we can easily tie buying a tank of gas to paving some roads and other transportation projects does not mean that our state budget should simplify it to that level, after all if we directed current spending toward our priorities our transportation budget would need little additions and clearly if the public said sure we don't mind a gas tax that money could go in other directions.

The six Republicans who voted to override Pawlenty clearly have somewhat fiscally Conservative principals and yet somehow made this silly logic based on bad budgeting cloud their judgement. We can all agree that transportation needs a few more dollars then it is currently getting, but where I and most fiscal Conservatives can't agree is that the states revenues come up short.

The six Republicans who failed there supporters and the Governor were rightly penalized by the party and should not be endorsed for reelection, some mistakes just can't be forgiven. If these six have the political support to win reelection without the Republican party so be it, but we don't have to support them. Fiscal conservatism is how the Republicans can remain strong in this state and fiscal conservatism is why the Libertarian party will soon be Minnesota's strongest third party.

Will Bloomberg still run?

The speculation has been a McCain and to some extent Obama nomination would lead to Michael Bloomberg sitting this race out, however as the time for a decision nears and it is likely McCain will win the Republican nomination Bloomberg is still looking to jump in. An official yes or no announcment should happen in the next two weeks with ballot access work needing to take place now.

I would prefer Bloomberg over McCain even though they seem like the same candidate with the exception of the Iraq war. Unfortanatly I can't say he's the right candidate at the right time, he's simply better then the average Democrat and Republican running for an office which usually leads us to a better then average Democrat or Republican.

While I still hold out hope Huckebee will win the Republican nomination as John McCain feels like the Republicans version of John Kerry, settling for a candidate that they don't like all that much because he seems to be more electable. Huckebee on the other hand is more likable, honest, and he's for a national sales tax which to me is the most important issue. Not to mention Huckebee opens up a little more room for Bloomberg, and despite the fact Bloombergs potential run probably will be historically meaningless it's never a bad thing for more Americans to consider and vote for a non Democrat or Republican option.

Super Tuesday

I was undecided until the last moment wether to caucus with the Independence Party, or the Repubican party. Ultimatly I decided the fact that Ron Paul's results in eary states don't change my convictions as a true fiscal conservitive in a world where fiscal Democrats hold all major offices from Norm Coleman and Tim Pawlenty to the white house.

Despite a bit of bible thumping I didn't feel the least bit out of place among a fairly diverse crowd. Turnout was much higher then expected and lead to a bit of confusion early on but ultimatly we had a straight and to the point caucus. With Rommney winning the straw poll 15 to Huckebees 11 Ron Pauls 9 and McCains 2. Although once it came time to select delegates it simply went to the 10 people who raised their hands and as far as I can tell Ron Paul supporters made up the majority, which leads me to wonder if his campaign may actually have done better then reported in caucus states as the straw poll is competly meaningless if the right peole don't become delegates. It will be interesting to see how this plays out going forward and at what point the old timers shut out the new delegates, of which I am one despite the fact I probaby won't be able to make my local convention. In any event my girlfriend also became a delegate and will go as far as she can first for Ron Paul and going forward for anyone but Romney.