COLUMBIA, S.C. ? Ron Paul finished a disappointing fourth in South Carolina?s primary Saturday, but he didn?t seem in the least bit bothered.
The Texas congressman delivered his concession speech to a roaring crowd by noting that only 37 delegates have been awarded after the first three primary contests, less than two percent of the overall total who will choose the Republican nominee at the party?s convention this summer.
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?This is the beginning of a long, hard job,? Paul said. ?We will continue to do this. There?s no doubt about it.?
While his opponents turn their attention to Florida?s Jan. 31 primary ? where Paul has said he will not actively campaign ? Paul now looks North and West. He said Saturday night that his goal was to disseminate his unconventional message through amassing as many delegates as possible. Riding into the Republican convention in Tampa this summer with a large number of delegates ensures that Paul is a force to be reckoned with in the Republican Party, which is uncomfortable with many of Paul?s libertarian positions.
?In the beginning, I thought it would just be promotion of a cause,? Paul said in the 17-minute speech. ?Then it dawned on me, when you win elections and you win delegates, that?s the way you promote a cause.?
In the short term, Paul spokesman Gary Howard said the campaign would try to eke out some delegates ? you need 1,144 to win the GOP nod ? from primary states. But Paul may get more traction on Super Tuesday?s March 6 caucuses in smaller states like Idaho and North Dakota, a strategy that worked to candidate Obama?s advantage in 2008. Paul already has started to build substantial organizations in those states.
Over the next two weeks, Paul will invest in caucuses in Nevada on Feb. 4; in Maine from Feb. 4 to 11; and in Colorado and Minnesota on Feb. 7. With visits slated to those states and paid media targeted to them, Paul has made clear he will focus on galvanizing his younger, more independent-minded base for the lower-turnout affairs.
?We will be going to the caucus states ? because that?s the name of the game, and we will pursue it,? he told more than 200 supporters inside a cavernous bar down the street from the state capital.
Caucuses offer the chance to win more delegates at a lower cost. Turnout tends to be much lower at caucuses than primaries, and voters who turn out tend to be more motivated, giving more leverage to a well-organized campaign with passionate supporters like Paul?s.
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