News from Iowa

Dave · 05-23-2007, 10:51 AM

As a Des Moines-area Ron Paul supporter, I've decided to start this thread to share news and observations from Iowa, home of the first-in-the-nation caucus.

Dave · 05-23-2007, 10:54 AM

I posted this earlier in another forum but thought it would be a good place to begin with "News from Iowa". The Iowa GOP Straw Poll in August is being talked about in the local media.

I have attended the Iowa Straw Poll. It's a grotesque spectacle but I would consider it a necessary evil since it will be widely covered and it is the first real test of the candidates. This is even more important now that the caucuses and primaries are so front-loaded. To do poorly in the Iowa Straw Poll this year will reflect very poorly on those campaigns - and to do well requires an extraordinary commitment.

(One strategy is to skip it and/or Iowa entirely. McCain tried this last time and Giuliani is contemplating it this time. Nobody has ever won their party's nomination after skipping Iowa.)

It's far from a scientific poll of a candidates support in Iowa - it's really much more of a test of a candidate's organization. This is really where the campaigns that are serious about a good showing in Iowa flex their muscle. I'm concerned that to my knowledge Dr. Paul doesn't seem to have much of an Iowa organization right now.

It's a carnival-like atmosphere in and around Hilton Coliseum at Iowa State University. There will be tens of thousands of people there. They have parking for over 500 buses that candidates will hire to deliver Iowans to Ames.

Massive tents are set up all around Hilton. Candidates pay big bucks to get the prime locations and have the biggest and most elaborate setup. The wining and dining is over the top. Fantastic spreads of food and drink. Live bands, some with national stature. Hats, buttons, flags, horns, and RAH RAH RAH! Woe to the candidate with the tent clear out in the parking lot offering a bowl of fritos.

Then there's the Iowans. It's like sheep being led to slaughter but instead of slaughter it's a giant party! Only Iowans can vote but literally hundreds of campaign supporters from around the country come to help orgranize busloads from all corners of Iowa and fill them with Iowans to go vote. The parking lot is a sea of buses.

More than once I saw people become anamored with another candidate's tent and 'jump the fence' to check it out. It's a secret ballot so nobody really knows who these people ultimately vote for.

Inside Hilton it's like the national convention. Each candidate gets an opportunity to speak. It seems like it was 10-20 minutes. You'd better have your herd seated by then so they can scream their heads off at the end of your every sentence.

If you're a political junkie, this event IS Xanadu. Even if you're not GOP.

I had an automated call last night from Tommy Thompson offering to bus me to Ames (I only live 45 mins. away) and pay for my $35 ticket in exchange for my support.

The Paul campaign will have to decide soon whether to commit to this event. It's outrageous, very expensive, non-scientific, and I'm not sure if we (yet) have the kind of grassroots support in Iowa that would allow us to light up Ames like we light up the internet. To skip this event might be a risky strategy but there may be better ways to use our limited money and unlimited energy. I trust the judgment of Dr. Paul in this regard.

poppop_schell · 06-14-2007, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

I posted this earlier in another forum but thought it would be a good place to begin with "News from Iowa". The Iowa GOP Straw Poll in August is being talked about in the local media.

The Paul campaign will have to decide soon whether to commit to this event. It's outrageous, very expensive, non-scientific, and I'm not sure if we (yet) have the kind of grassroots support in Iowa that would allow us to light up Ames like we light up the internet. To skip this event might be a risky strategy but there may be better ways to use our limited money and unlimited energy. I trust the judgment of Dr. Paul in this regard.

fwiw, Today I offered to serve as Iowa Chair with NO pay. We MUST start a strong organizational effort NOW. IF they accept my offer, I ask that all jump on board with both feet. My management style is one of heavy delegation and high accountability.

TheLibertyTree · 07-06-2007, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

It's a secret ballot so nobody really knows who these people ultimately vote for.

..................

I had an automated call last night from Tommy Thompson offering to bus me to Ames (I only live 45 mins. away) and pay for my $35 ticket in exchange for my support.

Orat · 07-06-2007, 03:02 AM

So really, what's to stop one from accepting the $35 and voting for Ron Paul? Can you just call a number and set it up? If so, every Iowan Paul supporter should set it up, and then give the $35 they would have spent to another Iowan who wasn't otherwise going to vote at the straw poll. Or better yet, have THEM get the same deal, and send your $35 to the Paul campaign!

DavyDuke17 · 05-23-2007, 10:55 AM

Is there enough interest to start a thread on the home page for the Des Moines area?

Dave · 05-23-2007, 10:57 AM

I guess we'll find out. I'll leave that up to Josh.

JoshLowry · 05-23-2007, 11:03 AM

Howdy Dave

It looks like you got some good ideas, check out this thread and post in there: http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=208

I will go ahead and make that forum as soon as you guys decide on a name. It looks like you have 4 or 5 members on this message board. Iowa grassroots might have to just start with you 4 or 5 and then pyramid down, it's got to start somewhere.

Also checkout http://ronpaul.meetup.com for other members in the area. I think you are right though, Iowa could be big for Ron if done right.

MsDoodahs · 05-23-2007, 11:07 AM

Hello. I'd like your input on whether or not to bother with placing ads in Iowa newspapers?

Thanks!

MsD in Texas

Scribbler de Stebbing · 05-23-2007, 11:11 AM

I'd be interested in carpooling down there with a group from Minnesota. I'll put a message out to the list in late June or early July, when we know a little more about what is going on with the campaign. Maybe the campaign itself would be interested in helping us coordinate at that point.

05-23-2007, 10:51 AM	#1
Dave Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Des Moines Posts: 922	News from Iowa As a Des Moines-area Ron Paul supporter, I've decided to start this thread to share news and observations from Iowa, home of the first-in-the-nation caucus.

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05-23-2007, 10:54 AM	#2
Dave Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Des Moines Posts: 922	I posted this earlier in another forum but thought it would be a good place to begin with "News from Iowa". The Iowa GOP Straw Poll in August is being talked about in the local media. I have attended the Iowa Straw Poll. It's a grotesque spectacle but I would consider it a necessary evil since it will be widely covered and it is the first real test of the candidates. This is even more important now that the caucuses and primaries are so front-loaded. To do poorly in the Iowa Straw Poll this year will reflect very poorly on those campaigns - and to do well requires an extraordinary commitment. (One strategy is to skip it and/or Iowa entirely. McCain tried this last time and Giuliani is contemplating it this time. Nobody has ever won their party's nomination after skipping Iowa.) It's far from a scientific poll of a candidates support in Iowa - it's really much more of a test of a candidate's organization. This is really where the campaigns that are serious about a good showing in Iowa flex their muscle. I'm concerned that to my knowledge Dr. Paul doesn't seem to have much of an Iowa organization right now. It's a carnival-like atmosphere in and around Hilton Coliseum at Iowa State University. There will be tens of thousands of people there. They have parking for over 500 buses that candidates will hire to deliver Iowans to Ames. Massive tents are set up all around Hilton. Candidates pay big bucks to get the prime locations and have the biggest and most elaborate setup. The wining and dining is over the top. Fantastic spreads of food and drink. Live bands, some with national stature. Hats, buttons, flags, horns, and RAH RAH RAH! Woe to the candidate with the tent clear out in the parking lot offering a bowl of fritos. Then there's the Iowans. It's like sheep being led to slaughter but instead of slaughter it's a giant party! Only Iowans can vote but literally hundreds of campaign supporters from around the country come to help orgranize busloads from all corners of Iowa and fill them with Iowans to go vote. The parking lot is a sea of buses. More than once I saw people become anamored with another candidate's tent and 'jump the fence' to check it out. It's a secret ballot so nobody really knows who these people ultimately vote for. Inside Hilton it's like the national convention. Each candidate gets an opportunity to speak. It seems like it was 10-20 minutes. You'd better have your herd seated by then so they can scream their heads off at the end of your every sentence. If you're a political junkie, this event IS Xanadu. Even if you're not GOP. I had an automated call last night from Tommy Thompson offering to bus me to Ames (I only live 45 mins. away) and pay for my $35 ticket in exchange for my support. The Paul campaign will have to decide soon whether to commit to this event. It's outrageous, very expensive, non-scientific, and I'm not sure if we (yet) have the kind of grassroots support in Iowa that would allow us to light up Ames like we light up the internet. To skip this event might be a risky strategy but there may be better ways to use our limited money and unlimited energy. I trust the judgment of Dr. Paul in this regard.

07-06-2007, 03:02 AM	#5
Orat Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 132	So really, what's to stop one from accepting the $35 and voting for Ron Paul? Can you just call a number and set it up? If so, every Iowan Paul supporter should set it up, and then give the $35 they would have spent to another Iowan who wasn't otherwise going to vote at the straw poll. Or better yet, have THEM get the same deal, and send your $35 to the Paul campaign!

05-23-2007, 10:55 AM	#6
DavyDuke17 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 164	Is there enough interest to start a thread on the home page for the Des Moines area?

05-23-2007, 10:57 AM	#7
Dave Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Des Moines Posts: 922	I guess we'll find out. I'll leave that up to Josh.

05-23-2007, 11:03 AM	#8
JoshLowry Admin Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 6,855	Howdy Dave It looks like you got some good ideas, check out this thread and post in there: http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=208 I will go ahead and make that forum as soon as you guys decide on a name. It looks like you have 4 or 5 members on this message board. Iowa grassroots might have to just start with you 4 or 5 and then pyramid down, it's got to start somewhere. Also checkout http://ronpaul.meetup.com for other members in the area. I think you are right though, Iowa could be big for Ron if done right.

05-23-2007, 11:07 AM	#9
MsDoodahs Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chappell Hill, Texas Posts: 10,317	Hello. I'd like your input on whether or not to bother with placing ads in Iowa newspapers? Thanks! MsD in Texas

05-23-2007, 11:11 AM	#10
Scribbler de Stebbing Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Excelsior MN Posts: 2,579	I'd be interested in carpooling down there with a group from Minnesota. I'll put a message out to the list in late June or early July, when we know a little more about what is going on with the campaign. Maybe the campaign itself would be interested in helping us coordinate at that point.