One floor above the Fred Thompson results party at the downtown Marriott, a smattering of Ron Paul supporters gathered to watch the returns come in. Those waiting to see Paul did not waver in their confidence of the man who constantly amazed pundits with his fundraising abilities.

"He has the money and he has the supporters," Lin Stromwall said. "What more is it going to take for the national press to recognize Ron Paul as a real candidate?"

John Wiborg, another Paul supporter, also was disappointed with the way his candidate was portrayed in the media.

"He's not taking any corporate money, he's doing well in the polls, and yet they are still not giving him a fair shot," Wiborg said. "The establishment doesn't want him, and sadly that is what matters to a lot of people."

Paul ended up finishing fourth, with 10 percent of the vote, even winning one county. In Jefferson County, located in the southeastern corner of the state, Paul netted 298 votes, 35 better than Mike Huckabee.

Labels: Republicans