IndianaPolitico
12-06-2011, 07:25 AM
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/12/ron-pauls-iowa-strategy-runs-through-new-yorks-chinatown/
Rep. Ron Paul has posted solid poll numbers in Iowa while he and his squadrons of volunteers fan out across the state in the run up to next month’s caucus.
But Paul’s success in Iowa might have much to do with a sophisticated system of voter identification that is headquartered in a nondescript office in New York City’s Chinatown.
Paul has visited the Hawkeye State at least once a week since May, racking up at least 47 appearances so far.
The ground game hasn’t gone unnoticed by Iowa’s Republican Gov. Terry Branstad, who called Paul’s operation the best of any of the Republican candidates in the state.
And both a Des Moines Register poll and an NBC News/Marist poll out this weekend show Paul polling in the top three in Iowa.
Paul’s Phone from Home Program asks volunteers, no matter where they are in the country, to use their own phone to “survey” or ask potential supporters a series of questions on various topics and then ask who best represents their views.
It’s illustrated in a video clip posted online, where two young women working out of the New York City office are shown appealing for others to join in their crusade to promote the Texas congressman, 76.
Once someone in Iowa is identified as a likely supporter, the name is then passed on to a field office, where another volunteer will again contact the potential supporter.
“It’s an Iowan reaching out to another Iowan,” said a campaign volunteer who asked for anonymity.
Rep. Ron Paul has posted solid poll numbers in Iowa while he and his squadrons of volunteers fan out across the state in the run up to next month’s caucus.
But Paul’s success in Iowa might have much to do with a sophisticated system of voter identification that is headquartered in a nondescript office in New York City’s Chinatown.
Paul has visited the Hawkeye State at least once a week since May, racking up at least 47 appearances so far.
The ground game hasn’t gone unnoticed by Iowa’s Republican Gov. Terry Branstad, who called Paul’s operation the best of any of the Republican candidates in the state.
And both a Des Moines Register poll and an NBC News/Marist poll out this weekend show Paul polling in the top three in Iowa.
Paul’s Phone from Home Program asks volunteers, no matter where they are in the country, to use their own phone to “survey” or ask potential supporters a series of questions on various topics and then ask who best represents their views.
It’s illustrated in a video clip posted online, where two young women working out of the New York City office are shown appealing for others to join in their crusade to promote the Texas congressman, 76.
Once someone in Iowa is identified as a likely supporter, the name is then passed on to a field office, where another volunteer will again contact the potential supporter.
“It’s an Iowan reaching out to another Iowan,” said a campaign volunteer who asked for anonymity.