Rachel Maddow on MSNBC said that it looks like Ron Paul just won Iowa and likely did no worse than tie for first in Minnesota.
Considering that the Iowa GOP State Nominating Commission is now loaded with Ron Paul supporters and racking up at least half of the Minnesota delegates I would have to agree with that assessment. With Rick Santorum no longer being in the race so his supporters are not motivated to go after delegate spots, and grassroots activists being less than enthusiastic about a Romney nomination this has left the door wide open for Paul to snatch up delegates in non-binding caucus states. So the caucus to convention strategy (read coup) seems to have worked in at least two states.
It seems difficult to determine exactly what is Congressman Paul’s end game is because the math still isn’t in his favor. Based on Maddow’s reaction I think we’re seeing a preview of how difficult it may be to maintain Iowa’s First-in-the-Nation status. So while it appears that Paul’s strategy has worked he may have done irreparable harm to Iowa’s caucus just so he can have what? A good slot as a keynote speaker? Gee thanks.
