By disenfranchising Ron Paul supporters, Mitt Romney won the primary but lost the election.

New analysis reveals that in no less than five states, Romney’s margin of loss to President Obama in the general election was less than the number of votes received by Ron Paul in that state’s primary.

State
Connecticut
Obama Votes 128,251
Romney Votes 120,637
obama margin 7,614
Ron Paul Primary Votes 8,032
Electoral votes 7

Florida
O votes: 4,141,618
R Votes 4,094,952
O margin 46,666
Ron Paul Primary votes: 117,461
Electoral Votes: 29

New Hampshire
O Votes 366,089
R Votes 325,668
O margin: 40,421
Ron Paul Primary Votes: 56,872
Electoral Votes: 4

Ohio
O Votes: 2,691,861
R Votes: 2,584,620
O Margin: 107,241
Ron Paul Primary Votes: 113,256
Electoral Votes: 18

Virginia
O Votes: 1,868,191
R Votes: 1,767,692
O Margin: 100,499
Ron Paul Primary Votes: 107,451
Electoral Votes: 13

In Florida, for example, Obama defeated Romney by 46,000 votes; meanwhile, Ron Paul received over 117,000 votes in the primary. If only 40% of these Ron Paul Republicans stayed home on Election Day, it would have been enough to cost Romney the state and its 29 electoral votes.

A similar case can be made for Connecticut, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Virginia. Along with Florida, these five states account for a whopping 71 Electoral College votes. Remember that Obama earned 332 electoral votes compared to Romney’s 206. Had Romney won these five states, they would have been sufficient to give him a narrow 277-261 victory over the President.

Admittedly, the number of Paul votes and Romney’s loss margin are closer in the other four states than they are in Florida. In New Hampshire, 71% of Paul votes are needed to make up the margin, while in Ohio and Virginia, that number is closer to 95%.

But, consider that it is difficult to imagine a Republican or Ron Paul Supporter casting a vote for Obama. More than likely the Ron Paul voters just said screw it and stayed home, Voted for Hontsman, or wrote Ron
Paul in. Either way it was a GOP loss, and frankly they deserve it