- After a careful investigation, I have decided against
seeking a recount in New Hampshire. I am confident that not asking for
a recount is the right decision.
-
- I carefully considered the arguments for and against
a recount before instructing my campaign staff not to pursue it. Without
a firm belief that vote fraud had taken place, and without the possibility
that a recount would have increased the chances for success of our campaign,
a recount would have diverted campaign resources, time, and energy away
from crucial battles elsewhere.
-
- We have taken concerns about vote fraud seriously. In
Iowa, campaign volunteers carefully monitored the caucuses. Campaign staff
placed Paul supporters in every precinct to watch and verify the voting
and count. We had supporters phone in results from their precincts to a
campaign hotline while others ensured that those numbers were reflected
on the official display board at the Polk County Convention Center. The
numbers our caucus watchers reported agreed with the official tally, and
both results also aligned with the campaign's internal polling. In relatively
pro-Paul counties, our sampling pegged support at 11.5%. This is consistent
with an overall 10% finish for the entire state.
-
- In New Hampshire, while I would have hoped for a better
result than eight percent, I am convinced that vote fraud played no role
in this result. Rumors of vote fraud were investigated, and in the end
they proved to be the result of errors in early media reports that were
not reflected in the official numbers. In one notable case, when a campaign
staff member contacted an individual who had on the evening of January
8 claimed that his vote had not been counted, the person said that he had
made a mistake and that the next morning the error in reporting on a newspaper
website had been corrected both in the media and -- most importantly --
in the official tally.
-
- Many have expressed concerns that those ballots counted
by machine yielded a 2% lower total than those counted by hand. However,
machine counted vote totals were more than 2% lower for both John McCain
and Mike Huckabee. Hand counted votes were more likely to be cast in rural
areas. Results almost always vary between urban and rural areas.
-
- My campaign staff and I have analyzed the numbers in
New Hampshire and I have reached the conclusion that it was the high turnout
-- not vote fraud or counting errors -- that left us with eight percent
of the vote. Our total vote count of over 18,000 votes was well within
what we projected given the efforts of our extensive statewide get-out-the-vote
program, giving me no reason to believe that vote fraud played any role
in the results of the Granite State's primary.
-
- In both Iowa and New Hampshire there is much to be proud
of. Taking both states together, I am honored that over 30,000 people cast
their vote for me -- more than either Rudy Giuliani or Fred Thompson. Unlike
many other candidates' efforts, our campaign for freedom is growing and
our message is spreading.
-
- Now is the time to redouble our efforts. Our resources
must be spent on the upcoming primaries and caucuses, and on ensuring that,
with your help, we organize every state yet to vote with our Precinct Leaders
program.
-
- We can't win primaries and caucuses that have already
happened -- but we can win those yet to come. To become the Republican
presidential nominee, a candidate must have 1,191 delegates. Iowa, Wyoming
and New Hampshire determine only 32 delegates, so we have much opportunity
remaining.
-
- Today, I ask you to join me in focusing on the battles
ahead as we continue our fight for liberty and our Constitution.
-
- Sincerely,
-
- Ron Paul
-
-
- Comment
-
- To The Honorable Congressman, Ron Paul
-
- As a die hard supporter of your campaign I was very disappointed
to learn of your decision to not persue a recount of the New Hampshire
votes. Your argument that it would divert energy and resources from the
upcoming battles is absolutely understandable. However, there is a simple
truth that trumps your argument. If vote fraud is tolerated in New Hampshire,
it will just continue as it always has. Bev Harris has already begun the
gathering of evidence. The proof is there. Individuals have come forth and
signed affadavits that they voted for you in precincts where your totals
were recorded as zero. Furthermore, individuals have donated funds
specifically for a recount. You've stated yourself that you are just a
part of a revolution and this is a grass roots effort against corruption....all
corruption. The stealing of elections is one of the major attacks on our
republic and we've endured it way too long. It is my understanding that
other candidates are seeking a recount in N.H. While it's too late for
your campaign to be part of that endeavor, it is my wish that your campaign
will expect vote fraud in upcoming primaries and will be prepared
to fight and expose it. Your supporters have not donated record amounts
in order to see the same old criminals continue to subvert the will of
the American people in the same old nonchalant, arrogant manner
they have been doing for decades. A decision to demand a recount would
only attract more support and volunteers; it would contribute to the
expansion of your campaign. It IS a revolution.
-
- Sincerely,
- Hany Hanna
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