This WILL make you feel better!

First off, I'd just like to say that a double digit showing in Iowa shows that we have made TREMENDOUS amounts of progress. A few months ago, most of the critics and pundits didn't even think Dr. Paul would still be in the race at this point. We are proving them wrong and making history every day, people!

That being said, I think it's important to note that the Iowa Caucus is a notoriously bad predictor of who will win their party's nomination or who will win the presidency. Take a look:

In 1996 Bob Dole won in Iowa for the Republicans by a slim 3% margin over Pat Buchanan, only to be slaughtered in the general Election by Bill Clinton. Many, including me, felt that Buchanan would have made a much stronger contender against Clinton.

In 1992, Tom Harkin won in Iowa for the Democrats with a landslide victory - 76%. Who was the eventual nominee? One Mr. Bill Clinton, who finished Iowa with a paltry 3%.

In 1988, Bob Dole won in Iowa for the Republicans with 37%. George H. W. Bush was the eventual Republican nominee - he finished Iowa with 19% - 3rd place.

Also in 1988, Dick Gephardt won in Iowa for the Democrats with 31% of the vote. The eventual Democratic nominee, Michael Dukakis, finished 3rd with 22%.

In 1980, George H. W. Bush won for the Republicans in Iowa with 32% of the vote. Ronald Reagan was the eventual nominee. He finished in second place.

Dr. Paul's supporters tend to be students of history. Let's allow history to teach us an important lesson here - a 10% showing is VERY respectable considering where we started and the lack of media coverage for Dr. Paul. Don't be disappointed - if you aren't happy with the result, work harder in your own area to ensure a different outcome.

The election process isn't a sprint - it's a marathon. It's the candidates with a strong, popular message, a growing base of supporters, and the financial means to support a national campaign that will win out in the long run. In the immortal words of John Paul Jones, "We have not yet begun to fight!"