Paul wins Bonner, but Romney takes Idaho

SANDPOINT — Libertarian war horse Ron Paul edged Rick Santorum by a 68-vote margin at the Bonner County Republican party’s Super Tuesday caucus, but former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney took Idaho.

Paul picked up 555 votes in the third round of caucusing to eliminate Santorum, who finished with 487 votes. Romney was ousted from the caucus after trailing Paul and Santorum by a wide margin in the second round.

Former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer and ex-Congressman Newt Gingrich did not make it through the first round of caucusing in Sandpoint, Clark Fork, Blanchard and Priest River.

Voters were confronted with long lines at Sandpoint and Priest River as party officials checked in each person and verified their GOP affiliation. A handful of voters reportedly walked away discouraged by the wait to enter the caucus.

Bonner County Republican Central Committee Chairman Cornel Rasor said state-level GOP officials advised organizers to anticipate 300-400 voters in Sandpoint, a figure which was based on primary turnouts and other factors.

“We didn’t really know what to expect,” said Rasor. “Only two people in the whole central committee had ever been in a caucus before.”

A total of 1,411 voters countywide cast ballots during the first round of caucusing, with 867 voters turning up at Sandpoint High School to caucus.

Some contend the well-attended campaign stop made by Paul on Monday goosed caucus turnout figures.

“It was way bigger than they anticipated,” Rasor said.

Caucus organizers obtained permission from Lake Pend Oreille School District officials to expand the venue into the school’s gymnasium. The caucus also filled the school’s auditorium.

Although about an hour behind schedule, things appeared to run smoothly once the caucusing got under way. Organizers periodically urged the crowd to videotape or take snapshots of the proceedings to promote transparency.

Surrogates made stump speeches on behalf of the presidential candidates they championed prior to the first round of voting, but waived speeches in successive rounds for the sake of expediency.

But before the final count was tallied in Bonner County, it became clear from media reports and word of mouth that Romney had prevailed. But Rasor does not believe Bonner County’s caucusing was for naught.

“Our votes are part of the total that ended up giving Ron Paul at least four delegates,” Rasor said.

Idaho’s delegates will be apportioned at the state level.

Despite the hiccups, delays and the unknowns that come with the state’s first caucus, Rasor said he warmed up to the concept somewhat because it also gave an opportunity for party members to talk politics and socialize.

“That part of it I kind of like,” he said. “All in all, I think, it was a good night.”