New Hampshire Primary Results: Ron Paul Comes In Second

With a projected second place finish in New Hampshire, Rep. Ron Paul's (R-Texas) campaign for the GOP nomination continues to outperform his 2008 bid, complicating efforts by Mitt Romney's rivals to consolidate opposition to the former Massachusetts governor.

Paul's message of individual liberty played well in the Live Free or Die State, as Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, stumbled badly in the few days leading up to the vote. Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who'd been hoping a second-place finish or last-minute upset would catapult him to top-tier status, is likely to finish third, a result that would outpace the two men Romney see as his most formidable opponents, former Sen. Rick Santorum and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

(You can follow the results live as they come in here.)

Paul, in a speech to supporters Tuesday night, said he called Romney and told him he was "nibbling on his heels."

Paul is one of the only remaining candidates who can compete with Romney in the race for cash, largely due to his national base of ardent grassroots supporters. That poses a problem for any candidate looking to quickly lock up the nomination.

But it could also spell trouble in the general election. If Paul decides to run as a third-party candidate, he could siphon votes away from both parties. Such a run would provide a third choice for disaffected voters who want to protest President Barack Obama and his handling of the economy but who don't like Romney.

Paul told HuffPost's Howard Fineman earlier this week that he hadn't decided whether to launch a third party bid. "I'll decide that later," he said.

In New Hampshire, Paul played nice with Romney, while his rivals attacked him as a soulless corporate raider who takes pleasure in handing out pink slips.

"Two important issues that should unite Republicans are a belief in free markets and an understanding that the media often use 'gotcha' tactics to discredit us," his campaign said in a statement. "Rather than run against Governor Romney on the issues of the day Santorum, Huntsman, and Gingrich have chosen to play along with the media elites and exploit a quote taken horribly out of context."

"They are also using the language of the liberal left to attack private equity and condemn capitalism in a desperate and, frankly, unsavory attempt to tear down another Republican with tactics akin to those of MoveOn.org," the statement continued. "Santorum, Huntsman, and Gingrich are employing leftist tactics because they can't run on their questionable records and can't distinguish themselves from Romney."

Paul's strong finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire will be difficult to replicate in South Carolina, where an evangelical Christian base dominates the primary electorate. Yet he may be able to fare better in Florida and Nevada, and continue to pick up delegates, if his supporters keep injecting money into his campaign.

"There's no way that they're going to stop the momentum that we've started," Paul said.

Comments

[Terry Mcintyre]

12:14 AM on 01/19/2012

What a strange spin! Ron Paul is Romney's most viable competition. The others should clear the field and endorse Dr. Ron Paul, who is also the best opposition to Barack Obama.

Ron Paul draws from youth, from independents, and from crossover Democrats to a degree which Romney could never accomplish. Many of these Ron Paul supporters would be siphoned away from Barack Obama.

Ron Paul 2012. In it to win it.

[Tonelook]

10:08 PM on 01/16/2012

I have a question. Ron Paul is the only protestant; Romney is Mormon, Santorum and Gingrich are Catholics, Perry is Protestant but he doesn't count. The Republican Conservatives would rather vote for Romney that Ron Paul ( and we know they don't like Romney at all; doesn't that tell you something). The question is, there isn't the numbers/votes in the Republican Party; when will Ron Paul go third party rogue?

[Jjan Baldwin]

03:15 AM on 01/13/2012

"I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God. "
Ron Paul is one of the few who evidently takes this seriously and is doing his job. He bears true faith and allegiance to the Constitution and genuinely care for the American people.
I am for Ron Paul 2012

[debekniss]

06:04 AM on 01/13/2012

Jjan Baldwin
F&F and yes clearly Obama signing the NDAA into law shows he is a traitor and since this has been in the works sine Reagan/Bush and wrote up by Oliver North Obama change was he went republican and thought we would not notice that one. He has done more damage to the constitution the anyone one person in history. What a shame the first black presidient is proven now he has done treason to America and Americans the fact he wants to be relected shows no sign of a spine. The man I voted for who many thought would be change is a liar traitor and makes me now see sold us all out.

Ron Paul 2012 the one man who can fix this mess we are in now.

[Jjan Baldwin]

07:38 AM on 01/14/2012

In the words of Abraham Lincoln,
"We are the rightful masters of both Congress and the Courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution."

Ron Paul 2012

[corjambut]

11:58 AM on 01/14/2012

Ron Paul spoke out about the NDAA but was too busy promoting himself to actually vote against it. Go look at the facts Paulbot, and put down your cool-aid. He's just another politician who will say anything to get your votes.

[twoangels]

04:50 PM on 01/13/2012

I am for Ron Paul too. It is hard not to be. The others are all RINOs out for themselves only. They are not interested in We The People nor the Constitution and our Country either.

[debekniss]

06:04 PM on 01/13/2012

twoangels
F&F
Yor right and big corporate media wants to dismiss him but more people who hear him know Paul has some answers which will get our country back in shape. And the more they do it shows me he is not bought like the others running for office. Obama clearly sold us out. Such a shame he had to play the papa bush game plan and destroy his legacy.
Ron Paul in 2012 because the corrupt hate him is the best reason to vote for him.

[Dahveed1]

09:50 PM on 01/12/2012

I have a love-hate relationship with Ron Paul. Some things he says are so fresh that I immediately like them - the war on drugs for one. Others things he says scare me. He foreign policy (from what I know of it) concerns me. When it comes to my turn to vote, I'll have to be more knowledgeable about his stands (if he's still in the running by then).

[debekniss]

06:21 AM on 01/13/2012

Dahveed1
I look at his foreign policy like this: What makes up think we are the Police of the World? would Americans be so overjoyed if another nation stepped on our soil and shot our people and did what we are doing on other peoples soil? We would still have embassys but we would not have the blowback like we have seen. And this in the middle east is all for oil which if we weren't making a mess thre I am sure could be got in more respectful ways. If we want respect we should show it and lead by example. This is just common sense. http://paulitics.yuku.com/topic/30/Iran-to-war-or-not-to-war-that-is-the-question this link I personally reaseached and found we are not innocent regarding Iran. I only briefly tapped on subjects clink links to learn more however note some of it is disturbing. And ask yourself is this was what we were told? Most americans are not supported to do further reasearh so putting it all together is tricky. And in closing as yourself what makes the us the World ATM when we have so many who suffer in this country that are ours. I hope you enjoy the link
Ron Paul in 2012

[twoangels]

04:54 PM on 01/13/2012

Ron Paul things simple in foreign policy. Why do we have to be the police of the World. Bring our troops home from the four corners of the Globe. Then dig for oil and use all our resources to be energy independent and speak softly but carry a big stick.

[FTR 1940]

03:03 PM on 01/12/2012

The FACTS: Obama inherited from Bush the worst deficit and recession since
the Great Depression which FDR inherited from Republican President Hoover.
Republicans still preach de-regulation which was the cause of both of these
Wall St economic collapses. Most of the today's deficit was caused by
Bush's wars and refusing to tax the rich!
Ask yourself "who was president when the economy tanked?" Republican
"voodoo" economics have looted the country for the rich AGAIN!
DUH

[Jjan Baldwin]

06:15 PM on 01/12/2012

Republicans steal it, Democrats give it away. Too big to fail.
Obama-Romney 2012

[Dahveed1]

09:48 PM on 01/12/2012

Well said. Both parties suck. Same song, different special interest groups. We (the 99%ers) get to foot the bill either way.

Yeah, I'd definitely consider voting for Ron Paul if he ran as a 3th party.

[debekniss]

06:34 AM on 01/13/2012

FTR 1940
Well first you still think there is two parties. Kennedy was the last true Democrat. Ever since it has been all one party. Reagan Bush created the master plan we live with today and Carter, Clinton and Obama has been playing Papa bush play book ever since. http://paulitics.yuku.com/topic/30/Iran-to-war-or-not-to-war-that-is-the-question I found Papa bush has plenty of time to set the stage and do his master plan. In that link I used Wikipedia for the most part and all that took about 5 days non stop research because I could not believe myself how it all ties in together. Gov. Clinton was bought before he ever was president you will learn. Also why as the CIA smuggling drugs in during Reagans admin while having the Just say no to drug campaign. I always thought it was the drug cartels who bought it to remain illegal but it was our own goverment so they could use funds for smuggling drugs to building fema camps. Which by the way we can thank Olier North for. So people wake up Obama sold us out and wants another four years? Do Americans want to be put in indefinate detention without a trial? Obama wants he passed NDAA into Law. Ron Paul has warned us bring back our constitution. If you won't vote for him do you think anyone else will do it for us?

[Iamrebelriser]

12:31 PM on 01/12/2012

Romney is at it as usual, and Ron Paul salivating at his heels, lying & trying to blame what their fellow Republican Tea Partiers are doing on Democrats. Dems don't need to do anything to put down these misfits, since they're doing it to themselves.

People who can still support these lying Republican Tea Baggers seems to have developed Altazheimers since Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld took the inspectors out of Iraq who said there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, took the Military out of the unfinished job in Afghanistan and sent our military and equipment from all states to Iraq to begin the war that should not have been began.

[debekniss]

06:40 AM on 01/13/2012

Iamrebelriser
your propaganda is old. Republicans bought Obama a long time ago he is doing Papa Bush dirty work now. And Obama is the true traitor here so blame all you want whos name is at the bottom of the NDAA law? And for the record Obama said he would get all troops home after he was president 16 month he promised so why are they over there trying to pick a fight with Iran? Face it your propaganda needs a new way to play the truth because if you spoke truth you would not be here lying to us. LOL

Ron Paul 2012 the best man to clean up the corruption Obama and Bush have done.

[corjambut]

11:59 AM on 01/14/2012

Ron Paul didn't even vote against the NDAA, take off your shiny hat and look at the facts Paulbot.

[Mike Dar]

10:30 AM on 01/12/2012

How Americans are kept from hearing the Ron Paul message.
It used to be, "the more you pay attention, the less you actually know". Thus it's important to watch this clip.Realize you are being directed.The directors are not about you.
Because where you pay attention is all that matters now. 6 companies own the MSM.
Every single person should review this clip, then take measure once again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_lYGyIaK80

[debekniss]

06:43 AM on 01/13/2012

Mike Dar
I don't have time this morning but I will look at it later I promise I am sure it will be interesting so thanks in advance for posting it.

[corjambut]

12:00 PM on 01/14/2012

This just in: YouTube is not a credible source of information.

[debekniss]

03:50 PM on 01/14/2012

corjambut

LOL niether are you so deal with it.

Ron Paul 2012

[Mike Dar]

06:48 AM on 01/15/2012

The point. MSM has no motivation for accuracy. Investigations cost too much. Stratification in Politics reflects back into advertising dollars for MSM. That Link(U-tube) is one of the last 'public forum' information accesses.
Since MSM, like Govt/With Government has one agenda, to control you, maybe you should consider alternative media.
This just in: Your Government is not a credible source of informatio­n.

[Tonelook]

08:15 AM on 01/12/2012

Ron Paul young cultist minion supporters are the children of the Tea Partiers. Same tactics, same talking points, same lying, same white young crowds.

[johnny strike]

08:26 AM on 01/12/2012

Stopping telling porkies. Paul's supporters, especially the young ones are white, black, asian, indian, rich and poor. The first tea party was a Paul moneybomb event. Since those days the TP has been hijacked by the GOP, but not all of them. Paul also draws support from OWS. You either have an agenda or are not doing your own research.

[Tonelook]

07:56 PM on 01/12/2012

Bet you're white.

[debekniss]

06:47 AM on 01/13/2012

johnny strike
no Tonelook is propaganda 101 big time.
And your right many Occupy supporters see Paul is addressing the issues and ready to get to work on the FED amoung other things.

Ron Paul 2012

[debekniss]

06:45 AM on 01/13/2012

Tonelook

LOL so far only one lying has been the propaganda you spread. Do you get paid for this stuff if so post a link with so many americans out of work with Obama at the helm some might enjoy the part time job.

Ron Paul 2012 because he can't be bought and his supporters know better :)

[Tonelook]

10:50 PM on 01/11/2012

Ron Paul is popular among the Nazi youth of today. If you notice his crowds, they look like last year Tea Party crowd. All white, with a sprinkle of tokens.

[debekniss]

01:16 AM on 01/12/2012

Tonelook
your sense of humor must make you a real winner at a Nazi movement
sense you can tell what they look like and all.

[philoec]

09:52 AM on 01/12/2012

Certainly, God has put limits in our intelligence, but not so in our stupidity!!
This ad-havoc does not help our nation, desperate to evict the current acting-Nazi "leader."

[debekniss]

02:15 PM on 01/12/2012

philoec
F&F

[65irwin]

10:39 PM on 01/11/2012

The Media doesn't support him.
The Democrats don't support him.
The Republicans don't support him.
He MUST be doing something right!!!!!

Go Ron, Save our country!

[debekniss]

01:17 AM on 01/12/2012

65irwin
Indeed :)
Ron Paul 2012
because he ticks off the corrupt

[James Naugler]

12:36 PM on 01/13/2012

Ron Paul doesn't not tick off the corrupt, stop saying that. He wants to become the King of Corrupt. Luckily, he has no shot at EVER becoming POTUS.

[Iamrebelriser]

01:27 PM on 01/12/2012

Isn't it strange, and hasn't anyone else noticed? Gingrich and Santorum purchase negative ads against Romney, and Romney says the Democrats are doing it, and this is after Gingrich announced he was going to go negative against Romney. Romney, when Democrats get after you, you'll know it.
I'm not getting upset about Ron Paul, because when enough look into his beliefs, he'll fall like a cement weight is upon him.

[debekniss]

06:53 AM on 01/13/2012

Iamrebelriser

Hmm when I looked at his platform I thought he was to good to be true and guess what? we got lucky Paul walsk his talk and all of you haters along with the media have shown me and millions Paul can't be bought !!!
I am so excited about this I will write him in if I have to he does not need a theird party ticket and when he wins wow are you haters going to be bummed out.
Ron Paul the man with a plan in 2012

[tc71087]

08:43 PM on 01/11/2012

Look at those rich white faces.

[debekniss]

06:54 AM on 01/13/2012

tc71087

Look at your own hate LOL

Ron Paul in 2012 because he brings the haters to the surface so we can see who they are

[corjambut]

12:04 PM on 01/14/2012

I see who you are, look at any You Tube comment from a Ron Paul fan and you'll see how anti-semitic they are.

[twoangels]

05:14 PM on 01/13/2012

Dr. Martin Luther King never looked at the color of one's skin. Why are you??

[Tonelook]

07:50 PM on 01/11/2012

It is a pointless endeavor to attempt to educate the minions, the cultist of Paulites. Like some Charles Manson brainwashing; they are willing to accept the lame "not mia culpa" for writing those Newletters full of vile racism for over a decade. No "ghost writer" lie or "it wasn't me" lie or "justification explanations of the meaning" of his writing has been sufficient to ever excuse his name been on those Newletters for over a decade. If he had what it takes to be president he would simply apologize and admit he has grown since then; instead he choose to avoid the topic, throw tantrums, and refuse to explain the facts. All the talking point repeating on every blog by his minion cultists about, free medical care, NACCP story, or ghost writers or war this or drug that does not make his past go away. He and his son will never be president. Millions of us Aericans are determined to see that never happens.

[firewired]

08:05 PM on 01/11/2012

How? By repeating the same post over and over again? What a joke!

[Vince Castanza]

08:56 PM on 01/11/2012

It is also a pointless endeavor to educate the mindless-neocon-rush-limbaugh bots who voted for bush and who are now voting for Romney. I surely hope you are not one of those.

If the only thing the media can pin on Ron is some racist garbage that may or may not have happened in a newsletter 20 years ago that he already refuted, then thats a pretty clean politican if you ask me. Very clean if you compare him to overtly corrupt Santorum, Romney or Gingrich.

By the way, you spell it "mea culpa" not "mia culpa".

[Tonelook]

12:34 AM on 01/12/2012

Dude, it's in Latin brainiac, not Spanish, look it up. LOL.

[Tonelook]

01:28 AM on 01/12/2012

Research is a good thing, helps you get educated. Try researching about Ron Paul, and about the Latin language and spelling.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mea_culpa

[Albert Camus]

06:19 PM on 01/11/2012

Where is the rest of the six thousand comments disappeared?

[debekniss]

01:20 AM on 01/12/2012

Albert Camus
because they did not want people to know he did well ....
corrupt media is like that :)

Ron Paul 2012
because he ticks off the corrupt

[Nukualofa]

06:03 PM on 01/11/2012

Ron Paul is too old. He is losing it quickly.

[smcircle]

06:32 PM on 01/11/2012

We will all be old some day so don't pick on the youth impaired, LOL.... I think Paul will be talking through his son some day and that could be more problems...

[johnny strike]

08:34 AM on 01/12/2012

re: you're micro bio. have you thought about NDAA, FISA, TSA, the Patriot Act, the endless wars, the economy circling the drain? just wondering.

i'm surprised you are an ageist and discriminate. That doesn't sound liberal at all.

News flash: Paul came in 2nd in NH. This is historic for an anti-establishment candidate.

[debekniss]

07:00 AM on 01/13/2012

johnny strike
F&F great post :)

[thrashertm]

05:25 PM on 01/11/2012

Progressives should support Ron Paul if they care about ending the wars, stopping the continued bailouts for the rich bankers, stopping the civil liberties abuses (Patriot Act) and ending the federal drug war (hurts minorities). Ron Paul as president could have a unilateral impact on these issues, while he would not be able to enact his domestic economic/fiscal agenda without a super majority in the Senate (not likely any time soon). He's also on the record in saying that the money being spent overseas should be used to tide over those dependent on our entitlement programs; he's the only one talking to us like adults.

[Ryan Matthew Masters]

05:28 PM on 01/11/2012

Even if he had a super majority of republicans, there is still too much cronyism in Congress to pass those things. People freak out, because they act like he has the power to change everything about America. In reality that is not true. We have a three part government for a reason.

[thrashertm]

06:32 PM on 01/11/2012

You're probably right about the cronyism sadly.

[debekniss]

10:25 PM on 01/11/2012

Ryan Matthew Masters
maybe some of the others in Office might secretly agree with the platform Ron Paul seeks to do. Now hard to believe but there might more honest guys out there then we think there are.

[smcircle]

05:47 PM on 01/11/2012

So much of what you say is fantasy. First of all, Paul cannot do these things if Congress blocks him as they do Obama so the TPGOP side can say Obama has accomplished nothing. They would do it with Paul as well.

Next, I am not so sure Paul is a literal politician as he wants us to believe. His foreign policies could hurt many of our foreign friends and some of his domestic plans would hurt so many who depend on what they are receiving and deserving.

You say drug wars hurt minorities. This is true but they hurt all of us because this war on drugs is a phony and it is costing us way to much money and it is benefiting some that we do not know but not us.

We should all care about ending wars but more so not starting them just so some can get very wealthy of of them. And Banks should be investigated. Can Paul do all this?- I seriously doubt it.

I also feel any weakening of our liberties should be a treasonous offense and those in government who support it should be arrested. We need to be protected by a strong Constitution... I do not see Paul doing all he says he wants for us any more than Obama can with an opposing Congress... And the TPGOP is so very opposing toward us.

[Captain Shays]

05:59 PM on 01/11/2012

If this country were to elect Ron Paul the establishment would know once and for all that we are the ones with the real power not them and if they don't stop getting us into unnecessary wars (Dem & Rep alike) and keep driving us and our children and our children's children into debt, and if they keep threatening our liberty and robbing us of our personal choices, we will un-elect them just like we elected Ron Paul
If we don't elect Ron Paul then its the reverse of that. We will lose more freedom. We will be deeper in debt and we will have constant wars.

[Trenchfoot]

06:01 PM on 01/11/2012

So what should we do? Give up? The way the USA is going is nowhere. At least Ron Paul wants to haul on the helm. If enough good folks get behind him, maybe it could be possible to make that course alteration.