UtahApocalypse
08-13-2007, 04:08 PM
This weekend was the Iowa straw poll. This event which is a fund raiser for the Iowa GOP is typically a bellwether for a candidates organization. This year the event lost some of it's prowess with both John McCain and Rudy Giuliani skipping out.
The straw poll is something akin to a carnival. There were multiple tents around, plenty of food, and yes even a ferris wheel. To get a ticket for the event was $35, but don't worry most of the campaigns had bought plenty. A few candidates even had residents bused in from all over the state.
Ron Paul had only been able to campaign for the last week. His campaign had bought 500 tickets, all paid for by supporters. What Congressman Paul did have was a dedicated grassroots support. One group of supporters had designed, and financed a ad to be placed in a Iowa paper. More than 200 supporter attended the straw poll to assist from around the country.
In the early afternoon each candidate was able to give a 20 minute speech to those attending. As each candidate spoke they were allowed to have 200 supporters in the "mosh" area in front of the stage. Dr. Paul's group entered being led by pipe and drum group. The supporters were the most active, loud, and energetic of any of the groups.
Congressman Paul addressed the Iowa voters about many issues; he pointed out that Roe v. Wade should be abolished and left for states to decide. He talked about how our foreign policies have gotten us into the quagmire we are currently in. He was stron about securing our borders and defending our nation. the speech was well recieved by most of the crowd.
Finally about a hour and half after the scheduled time the results were announced. As expected Mitt Romney was in first place with 4516 votes and 31.5%. He was followed by Mike Huckabee, Sam Brownback, and Tom Tancredo. Ron Paul finished in 5th place with 1305 vote for 9.1%. Finishing off the pack were; Tommy Thompson, Fred Thompson, Rudy Giuliani, Duncan Hunter, John McCain, and lastly John Cox.
Some would consider this a loss for the good doctor. I on the other hand am pleased. Yes, I would have preferred a higher ranking but here are the good points; 9.1% is about 3 times what the media has been reporting with only 2%. The campaign had only spent approximately $200 per a vote received total (Mitt Romney spent about $2200) Ron Paul only campaigned for one week, while everyone placing above him had spent a month or more.
Ron Paul is not giving up, we are not throwing in the towel. Quite the opposite, we have seen what is possible with very little effort. Now the campaign will start into full swing. We have gained momentum and much support in the first 4 months. Our campaign is steadily raising in the number while others are fulling off rapidly (Tommy Thompson dropped out completely today) Some may count out Dr. Paul, While honestly were just getting started.
The straw poll is something akin to a carnival. There were multiple tents around, plenty of food, and yes even a ferris wheel. To get a ticket for the event was $35, but don't worry most of the campaigns had bought plenty. A few candidates even had residents bused in from all over the state.
Ron Paul had only been able to campaign for the last week. His campaign had bought 500 tickets, all paid for by supporters. What Congressman Paul did have was a dedicated grassroots support. One group of supporters had designed, and financed a ad to be placed in a Iowa paper. More than 200 supporter attended the straw poll to assist from around the country.
In the early afternoon each candidate was able to give a 20 minute speech to those attending. As each candidate spoke they were allowed to have 200 supporters in the "mosh" area in front of the stage. Dr. Paul's group entered being led by pipe and drum group. The supporters were the most active, loud, and energetic of any of the groups.
Congressman Paul addressed the Iowa voters about many issues; he pointed out that Roe v. Wade should be abolished and left for states to decide. He talked about how our foreign policies have gotten us into the quagmire we are currently in. He was stron about securing our borders and defending our nation. the speech was well recieved by most of the crowd.
Finally about a hour and half after the scheduled time the results were announced. As expected Mitt Romney was in first place with 4516 votes and 31.5%. He was followed by Mike Huckabee, Sam Brownback, and Tom Tancredo. Ron Paul finished in 5th place with 1305 vote for 9.1%. Finishing off the pack were; Tommy Thompson, Fred Thompson, Rudy Giuliani, Duncan Hunter, John McCain, and lastly John Cox.
Some would consider this a loss for the good doctor. I on the other hand am pleased. Yes, I would have preferred a higher ranking but here are the good points; 9.1% is about 3 times what the media has been reporting with only 2%. The campaign had only spent approximately $200 per a vote received total (Mitt Romney spent about $2200) Ron Paul only campaigned for one week, while everyone placing above him had spent a month or more.
Ron Paul is not giving up, we are not throwing in the towel. Quite the opposite, we have seen what is possible with very little effort. Now the campaign will start into full swing. We have gained momentum and much support in the first 4 months. Our campaign is steadily raising in the number while others are fulling off rapidly (Tommy Thompson dropped out completely today) Some may count out Dr. Paul, While honestly were just getting started.