John McCain beats Mitt Romney, Both Beat Hillary Clinton; in Mackinac County

I just got home from canvassing the election. What is that? After the votes are counted at each precinct the results get sent to the county clerk. The day after the election the county canvassers show up at the courthouse to make sure all the "i-s are dotted and t-s are crossed" and count the different numbers on different paperwork to make sure everything matches up. If all goes well the county clerk sends the info to the state. Yes, you do need to have OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) to find this to be fun. I am working on getting the individual results, for Mac County, posted here. For right now I thought I would quickly post the more important info.

John McCain (541 votes) beat Mitt Romney (466 votes) by 75 votes. John McCain beat Hillary Clinton (354 votes) by 187 votes. Mitt Romney beat her by 112 votes. Hillary Clinton beat Mike Huckabee (266 votes) by 88 votes.
Something I found rather interesting and surprising, on Mackinac Island, is John McCain (38 votes) beat out Mitt Romney (20 votes) by 18 votes. Hillary Clinton received more votes, 29, on Mackinac Island than Mitt Romney. The Hillary part is very surprising. Mackinac Island has been known to have mostly rich Republicans residing there. Except the year long residents are more poor than the Seasonal residents. But there are still quite a few of rich year long residents.

Oh by the way, I was made chairman of the Mackinac County Canvassers. It isn't that big of a deal. There is only four canvassers, two Republicans and two Democrats, in the canvassers. The officers get elected every two years. In our county it gets rotated by person and party. I guess it was my turn. We all get payed for our time, officer or not. So I get some extra money.

Fred Thompson's Campaign Manager on the Michigan Primary

Bill Lacy on the Results of the Michigan Primary
Posted on January 15th, 2008
By Sean Hackbarth in Statements

[Campaign Manager Bill Lacy released this statement. –Sean]

Tonight’s results in Michigan make two things clear: First, the Republican campaign for President remains wide-open. Our party faithful are still looking for someone who meets all the qualifications they seek: A true consistent conservative with the experience to keep the country safe. Second, Mike Huckabee’s campaign to be John McCain’s Vice President has hit a snag. He has gone from the mid-thirties in Iowa to 11% in New Hampshire and now about 15% in Michigan.

On higher taxes and looser immigration, Huckabee has been done his best these past few weeks to mimic McCain. But this is nothing new. In fact, while John McCain was leading the Senate charge to grant amnesty for illegal immigrants, Mike Huckabee was one of the loudest cheerleaders. And at the same time McCain was voting against the Bush tax cuts, Huckabee was in Arkansas increasing taxes some 21 times.

As for Mitt Romney, he has been all over the map on virtually every issue important to conservative voters.

As the contest moves to South Carolina, look for Romney, McCain and Huckabee to face serious questions about their commitment to consistent conservative principles. Their records are in stark contrast to Fred Thompson, who remains the one true steadfast conservative in this race.

The bottom line is that tonight is a whole new ball game and tomorrow morning begins a brand new campaign where Republicans are looking for the clear conservative choice. [source]

Romney Edges McCain to Win Michigan

Romney Edges McCain to Win Michigan

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:15 PM

Mitt Romney greets supporters at a rally in Grand Rapids, Mich., in advance of winning the state's Republican primary. DETROIT - Mitt Romney scored his first major primary victory Tuesday in his native Michigan, a win he desperately needed to give his weakened candidacy new life and set the stage for a wide-open Republican showdown in South Carolina in just four days. Romney was the third Republican victor in the first four states to vote in the 2008 primary season, further roiling a volatile nomination fight that lacks a clear favorite. The former Massachusetts governor defeated John McCain, the Arizona senator who was hoping that independents and Democrats would join Republicans to help him repeat his 2000 triumph here. Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, trailed in third, and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson was waiting for the top three candidates in South Carolina, already campaigning. [more here]

No, I have not switched over sides. I am still on fire for Fred! But I am a Michigander first and foremost. This is a wonderfully historic moment and I want to share it with y'all regardless of the results.