RATHDRUM - Idaho's historic first presidential Republican caucus Tuesday night was busy, chaotic, fun - and great practice for next time.

Lakeland High School caucus goer and Ron Paul supporter Howard Stavis, of Rathdrum, said Kootenai County Republican Party leaders "are doing what they can. They're following the rules that have been set."

Others expressed more pointed frustration for how long everything was taking. Some left after the first round because of how long the process was taking.

"They're doing a tremendous amount of stuff by hand," said caucus goer and Rick Santorum supporter Ken Masterenko, of Hayden. "There's going to be a learning curve."

Still, despite the slow pace of the caucus process, Masterenko was enjoying the fact Idaho was having a caucus in March and not a primary in May.

"It's an extremely historic day," he said.

For the first time, Idaho was relevant before the party's presidential nominee was selected by earlier primary voting states. The problem was southern Idaho turned out to be more relevant, as early returns there showed Mitt Romney with a sizable lead. All the major TV networks and The Associated Press called Idaho for Romney before Kootenai County caucus goers could begin a second round of voting.

Still, Kootenai County voters seized the opportunity with a strong turnout. Nearly 3,780 people voted countywide in the first round of caucusing.

At The Press' deadline, Rick Santorum won the first round with 1,327 votes, for 35 percent. Ron Paul was second with 989 votes, giving him 26.2 percent. Only Buddy Roemer was eliminated after the first round. Newt Gingrich nearly was eliminated after receiving only 15.1 percent of the first-round votes.

The Press will post the winner of Kootenai County today on its website: www.cdapress.com.

The prize to participate Tuesday night was the all important red wristband, which voters stood in long, long lines to get at Lakeland High School, one of 10 caucus sites in the county.

Chanting of candidates' names started about 7:15 p.m., with a brief, and barely audible, "Romney, Romney, Romney," followed by a boisterous round of, "Ron Paul, Ron Paul, Ron Paul."

Caleb Ratelle, a Hayden resident who turned 18 two weeks ago, was eager to vote and felt a sense of history in the event.

"Being able to vote and actually take action is really cool," he said. "There's just a really cool energy tonight, and people are excited to be participating."

Ratelle said he planned to start the evening as a strong Romney supporter.

"I like that he'll be willing to compromise and get something done," Ratelle said.

He said Romney's experience running the Salt Lake City Olympics and the state of Massachusetts will be experience directly applicable to what he would be tasked with as president.

Hayden resident and Newt Gingrich supporter Chris Brown showed up to caucus, and brought his daughter, Brittanie Brown, who is 17, but turns 18 before the general election. She registered to vote Tuesday night.

"I think (the caucus) helps Idaho get its foot in the door," Chris Brown said.

Brittanie Brown said, "I think this is an awesome experience."

They said the night was a bit chaotic, as they waited in line about 45 minutes for their red wristbands. The first ballot dropped into a candidate's box at 8:10 p.m., though party organizers had anticipated voting starting about an hour earlier. Doors opened at 5 p.m.

The first round of voting ended at 8:38 p.m., but by then FOX News was already calling Idaho for Romney.

Chris Brown said he wasn't surprised by the first-caucus difficulties.

"It's growing pains, you've got to grow into it," he said. In four years, "We'll have the kinks worked out by then."

The Browns said they were there to support Gingrich. He has valuable experience as the former speaker of the House, which will help him improve the economy, the Browns said.

"He has a good leadership background, and he knows how to work with Congress, and compromise to get things done," Chris Brown said.