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POCATELLO, Idaho — It's the result that probably would've happened anyway in Idaho — Mitt Romney winning the state's presidential caucus — but this time around, for Idaho residents, it finally felt like their vote mattered.
"People have just kind of washed us away. But now, you can see, the turnout tonight is phenomenal for this," said Idaho voter Linda Holt.
Idaho used to hold its primary in May, but the Republican nominee was usually already decided by then. That meant many candidates never even stepped foot in Idaho to campaign.
This is the first time that I can remember in my life that we've had so many presidential candidates come and visit as often as they have.
–Jordan Cheirrett, Idaho GOP chairman
#jordan_quote
But when Idaho decided to switch from a primary to a caucus, and hold it on Super Tuesday, things got interesting.
"This is the first time that I can remember in my life that we've had so many presidential candidates come and visit as often as they have," said Idaho GOP Chairman Jordan Cheirrett. "Romney has been here a few times; Ron Paul has even given a sales pitch."
The result: a packed house at Idaho State University Tuesday night, standing room only.
People not only wanted to be a part of history, they wanted to feel it.
Related:
Romney wins Ohio, 4 other Super Tuesday states
Mitt Romney squeezed out a win in pivotal Ohio, captured four other states with ease and padded his delegate lead in the race for the Republican presidential nomination but was forced to share the Super Tuesday spotlight with a resurgent Rick Santorum."I love this (in) March because I feel like we have some say in what we're voting for and what we're doing," Holt said.
With 32 delegates for Idaho's winner, candidates had to pay attention.
"That's right up in the very top of all the states. We're right up there in the very top," said Idaho voter Larae Oram. "So even next time around, they ought to be paying attention to Idaho even sooner."
With this much energy, enthusiasm, and excitement, Idaho is going to be hard to ignore next time around.
"We've got chips in the big game," said Ralph Lillig, vice chair of the Bannock County GOP Party. "Because of that, they're going to have to pay attention to us."
