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Republicans caucus this weekend, and unenrolled voters can play an important role.

The Associated Press February 1, 2008

AUGUSTA — With highly motivated supporters and a natural appeal to a mass of like-minded independents, Ron Paul has promising prospects in this weekend's Maine Republican caucuses, party officials and other observers say.

Maine's GOP polling today, Saturday and Sunday may give the Texas congressman his best shot at winning a state, which would be big, coming just days before Tuesday's presidential preference contests in more than 20 states.

It doesn't hurt that Paul's visit this week made him the only presidential candidate from either party to visit Maine before the caucuses.

"I think that (because) he's paid attention to Maine, he'll be rewarded," said R. Kenneth Lindell, Paul's campaign coordinator in Maine.

Another candidate will have a representative in the state today and Saturday. Thirty-seven-year-old Tagg Romney, one of Mitt Romney's five sons, plans to meet with voters and attend caucuses in Portland, Bangor, Lewiston, Augusta and other places.

His stops will include Becky's Diner in Portland, Simones' Hot Dog Stand in Lewiston, Duke's Barber Shop in Augusta and Governor's Restaurant in Bangor.

Lindell, meanwhile, wouldn't give specifics on the number of Paul volunteers but said it is in the hundreds, not a small figure considering Maine's relatively small population and meager share of the national delegate pool.

Paul's campaign has drawn a mix of young voters who are just getting involved in politics, longtime Republicans who have libertarian leanings or are unhappy with the party's direction, and independents who have left the party, said Lindell.

Maine's is the only presidential preference event this weekend. Maine Democrats will gather on the following weekend.

The nonbinding Republican caucuses are the first step toward electing Maine's 18 delegates to the party's national convention. Three ranking party leaders also go.

Paul can take heart that Mainers tend to march to their own drummer.

In 1992, Ross Perot delivered a shocker in Maine, beating summer resident and then-President George H.W. Bush to come in second behind Bill Clinton. That came after former California Gov. Jerry Brown beat Clinton in the Democratic caucuses.

Unenrolled voters can play an important role in Maine politics, because they make up the largest bloc of voters. The law allows independents to come in on the day of a caucus and enroll in a party.

"If we have a good showing here in Maine, that could carry forward into Super Tuesday, when we could pick up delegates," Lindell said, which would be significant in case of a brokered convention.

State GOP Executive Director Julie O'Brien said Paul backers have been resourceful in finding opportunities for support -- for example, organizing caucuses in towns where none had been scheduled.

"I have felt strongly for three weeks that he stood a better chance (in Maine) than any other candidate," O'Brien said.

Her view has changed slightly since Sen. John McCain won in Florida and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani dropped out and endorsed McCain.

Also, Maine Republicans' efforts to encourage general caucus participation could get more supporters for McCain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney to vote, she noted.

University of Maine political science professor Mark Brewer said he doesn't see Paul as a favorite, but said his best chances are in caucus states such as Maine. Paul finished second Jan. 19 in the caucus state of Nevada.

"I wouldn't be completely stunned if Ron Paul won the caucuses" in Maine, Brewer said.