malkusm
02-13-2011, 08:15 PM
Our showing at CPAC 2011 will be painted as a simple anomaly by the media if we fail to organize and create a pattern of winning at the major straw polls in this election cycle.
Below are the dates, locations, and websites of several major straw polls in 2011. We need to start thinking about these and organizing for them now. Making a strong showing not only gives us a track record, but it allows us to spread our message with committed conservatives, which will be vital to success in the 2012 campaign.
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Republican Leadership Conference 2011
When: June 16-18, 2011
Where: The Hilton Riverside New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
Website: http://www.rlc2011.com/
Speakers: Ron Paul and Rand Paul have both been invited to speak. Additional contenders for the 2012 nomination include: Newt Gingrich, Mike Huckabee, and Tim Pawlenty.
Significance: Traditionally, this event has been named the "Southern Republican Leadership Conference," and has been held only on even-numbered years. It still figures to be the pre-eminent event in the southern U.S. for contenders to showcase their support and to win over voters and activists. In 2010, Ron Paul placed second in the straw poll, finishing one vote (!!!) behind former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
Cost: Tickets are $299 each (!!), which includes 3 meals and access to the Reagan Centennial Gala on the Saturday evening of the conference. Tickets are discounted by $100 for those who register before February 28, bringing tickets down to $199. No C4L or other group discounts have been announced, although C4L heavily subsidized ticket costs in 2010 for its members.
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Ames Straw Poll 2011
When: August 13, 2011
Where: Hilton Coliseum
Ames, IA
Website: No official website; information can be found via Wikipedia here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ames_Straw_Poll)
Speakers: No list of attendees or speakers is available at this time.
Significance: Major media event, and is viewed as a gauge of support in the first caucus state in the country, approximately 5 months in advance of the 2012 Iowa caucuses. Only residents of Iowa may vote. In 2007, Ron Paul placed 5th in the Ames Straw Poll, receiving 9.1% of the 14,302 votes, and beating out such Republican "frontrunners" as Rudy Giuliani (1.3%) and John McCain (0.7%).
Cost: Voters in the straw poll must be eligible to caucus (18 years or older by January 2012), Iowa residents, and must purchase a ticket to the evening fundraising dinner in order to vote. Tickets cost $35 each in 2007.
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Value Voters Summit 2011
When: October 7-9, 2011
Where: Omni Shoreham Hotel
Washington, DC
Website: http://www.valuesvotersummit.org/
Speakers: Ron and Rand Paul have NOT been invited to speak at this event, as of this time. Invited speakers include Republican contenders Mitch Daniels, Newt Gingrich, Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin, Tim Pawlenty, Mike Pence, Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney, and John Thune.
Significance: More of a "social conservative" event, it would be nice to make a showing to broaden Ron's base into a group that he may not be so popular with, by emphasizing his stances on pro-life, pro-family, pro-Constitution issues that may appeal to them. Also important to maintain a record of consistency, assuming a strong showing in the two earlier events, and due to its proximity to the 2012 primaries.
Cost: Tickets go for $99, although there is a $20 discount for those who register before April 30, bringing the cost down to $79. Student tickets are $50 ($30 before April 30), but those registering as students are required to be under the age of 21. No discounts are available at this time through C4L or other organizations.
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Events which will occur, but details have not yet been announced:
Texas Straw Poll (August ? Texas)
Western CPAC (October ? California)
Below are the dates, locations, and websites of several major straw polls in 2011. We need to start thinking about these and organizing for them now. Making a strong showing not only gives us a track record, but it allows us to spread our message with committed conservatives, which will be vital to success in the 2012 campaign.
----
Republican Leadership Conference 2011
When: June 16-18, 2011
Where: The Hilton Riverside New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
Website: http://www.rlc2011.com/
Speakers: Ron Paul and Rand Paul have both been invited to speak. Additional contenders for the 2012 nomination include: Newt Gingrich, Mike Huckabee, and Tim Pawlenty.
Significance: Traditionally, this event has been named the "Southern Republican Leadership Conference," and has been held only on even-numbered years. It still figures to be the pre-eminent event in the southern U.S. for contenders to showcase their support and to win over voters and activists. In 2010, Ron Paul placed second in the straw poll, finishing one vote (!!!) behind former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
Cost: Tickets are $299 each (!!), which includes 3 meals and access to the Reagan Centennial Gala on the Saturday evening of the conference. Tickets are discounted by $100 for those who register before February 28, bringing tickets down to $199. No C4L or other group discounts have been announced, although C4L heavily subsidized ticket costs in 2010 for its members.
----
Ames Straw Poll 2011
When: August 13, 2011
Where: Hilton Coliseum
Ames, IA
Website: No official website; information can be found via Wikipedia here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ames_Straw_Poll)
Speakers: No list of attendees or speakers is available at this time.
Significance: Major media event, and is viewed as a gauge of support in the first caucus state in the country, approximately 5 months in advance of the 2012 Iowa caucuses. Only residents of Iowa may vote. In 2007, Ron Paul placed 5th in the Ames Straw Poll, receiving 9.1% of the 14,302 votes, and beating out such Republican "frontrunners" as Rudy Giuliani (1.3%) and John McCain (0.7%).
Cost: Voters in the straw poll must be eligible to caucus (18 years or older by January 2012), Iowa residents, and must purchase a ticket to the evening fundraising dinner in order to vote. Tickets cost $35 each in 2007.
----
Value Voters Summit 2011
When: October 7-9, 2011
Where: Omni Shoreham Hotel
Washington, DC
Website: http://www.valuesvotersummit.org/
Speakers: Ron and Rand Paul have NOT been invited to speak at this event, as of this time. Invited speakers include Republican contenders Mitch Daniels, Newt Gingrich, Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin, Tim Pawlenty, Mike Pence, Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney, and John Thune.
Significance: More of a "social conservative" event, it would be nice to make a showing to broaden Ron's base into a group that he may not be so popular with, by emphasizing his stances on pro-life, pro-family, pro-Constitution issues that may appeal to them. Also important to maintain a record of consistency, assuming a strong showing in the two earlier events, and due to its proximity to the 2012 primaries.
Cost: Tickets go for $99, although there is a $20 discount for those who register before April 30, bringing the cost down to $79. Student tickets are $50 ($30 before April 30), but those registering as students are required to be under the age of 21. No discounts are available at this time through C4L or other organizations.
----
Events which will occur, but details have not yet been announced:
Texas Straw Poll (August ? Texas)
Western CPAC (October ? California)