But, he stuck with his game plane, and tonight, Shyne Barrow is the leader. Certainly it's not the blowout he had predicted or was hoping for - but slender though the margin may be - he has John Saldivar and the Caucus for Change to thank for his victory.
We caught Saldivar outside the Bird's Isle just after the victory was confirmed and here's what he said:
John Saldivar, Caucus for Change
"Very ecstatic. I believe that this is what the people want and this is what we set out to do a month ago when we started campaigning for Shyne when we made that decision as a caucus for change."
Jules Vasquez
"If Tracy had gotten the support of the caucus, one believes she would have won."
John Saldivar, Caucus for Change
"Obviously the caucus has a majority of candidates and former candidates that are in it, so it does carry a lot of influence in this party and that was demonstrated here today."
Jules Vasquez
"Obviously not as much as you thought, because the man only won by 3."
John Saldivar, Caucus for Change
"Certainly, as much as I wished and that was to win."
Jules Vasquez
"Do you now expect his support in Belmopan for your candidacy?"
John Saldivar, Caucus for Change
"That was not the quid pro quo. We wanted the best leader, the best person. All of us as candidates will have to fight our battles in our constituency and that's all I can say at this time, there is no quid pro quo, he is going to be neutral as far as I am concerned and that's what a leader is supposed to do."
Jules Vasquez
"So you said there is no quid pro quo, we wont be seeing senator John Saldivar?"
John Saldivar, Caucus for Change
"I can't tell you that. Thats not my decision to make."
Jules Vasquez
"But you would be open to it."
John Saldivar, Caucus for Change
"I would be open to any role that I need to play in this party to help to rebuild this party."
Jules Vasquez
"However, the wisdom is that if you've been rejected by the voters, you should not be selected by the party."
John Saldivar, Caucus for Change
"I have been rejected twice and I have come back from those defeats and I will win one more time."
