Update: Just spoke to bus companies
Listen, guys, we need a little help to get things rolling. Here's what I learned today.
Charter buses from des moines to Ames will cost approx 2k / each. They can run them as shuttles all day back and forth, or single-trip back and forth. Within 100 miles of Ames, we're looking at about 2k per 56-person coach bus. This would include Cedar Rapids and Waterloo, which are both heavily populated and exactly 100 miles from Ames.
WHAT I ALSO LEARNED is that other organizations have already reserved 200 buses, at least according to this company. This is possibly just a tactic they use in order to justify charging higher-than-normal fees for this event, which is understandable. However, if this is true, WE HAVE SOME WORK TO DO. I'm rather confident that Ron has no plans for buses in Iowa at this point in time.
I've posted detailed plans to start a grassroots PAC, by which we can organize and fund an operation this big. I think most of us understand the catalyst that the Iowa straw poll could potentially be for Ron. A win would serve to wake up legions of "I like Ron Paul, but he can't win" supporters.
The main goal of the PAC would be to organize this Iowa effort. This would provide the perfect platform for us to plan the busing, housing, canvassing, etc. in Iowa.
UPDATE: Our PAC will be called "Ron Paul Nation", and will be conveniently located at RonPaulNation.org (I have donated the domain name). The website is almost up and running, and we are working to put together a cohesive plan for our Iowa operation.