Its Ames straw poll focus time

[Johnnybags]

Although I expect Mitt to win, we do need the good DR. to place over one of the annointed candidates at least. I'd like to see him beat Ghouliani or McCain and all the lower tier. However, I expect one lower tier candidate to do well, so if he comes in 3rd or fourth with solid support and within range of all but Mitt, I will be happy. I know the grass roots will be the best of all the candidates there but I am worried about getting thousands of actual Iowans to vote for him since he got off to a late start there. Am I wrong, any Iowans have a better feel for hard core support there?

 

[Sematary]

Although I expect Mitt to win, we do need the good DR. to place over one of the annointed candidates at least. I'd like to see him beat Ghouliani or McCain and all the lower tier. However, I expect one lower tier candidate to do well, so if he comes in 3rd or fourth with solid support and within range of all but Mitt, I will be happy. I know the grass roots will be the best of all the candidates there but I am worried about getting thousands of actual Iowans to vote for him since he got off to a late start there. Am I wrong, any Iowans have a better feel for hard core support there?

From what I read yesterday, Mitt's support is pretty soft, so perhaps those who are able to be there and influence votes with their presence will be able to do just that.

 

[MozoVote]

Although I'm assuming Mitt * will* win, I have a feeling his numbers may be unimpressive. I really see very few comments anywhere, from people enthused about him.

 

[Slugg]

Although I'm assuming Mitt * will* win, I have a feeling his numbers may be unimpressive. I really see very few comments anywhere, from people enthused about him.

Don't need enthusiasm, just tickets to a BBQ and a free ride....just pull the lever for Mitt....come on....we'll show ya how to spell it on the way.

 

[foofighter20x]

The beauty of this straw poll is that we aren't expected to get above 3-5% based on the high end of national polling...

So, making anything above that is a win.

 

[Badger Paul]

Even if you do get a free ticket and a ride plus a meal, will anyone take him up on it?. Remember, people have to be motivated to spend $35 and spend a whole Saturday in Ames. We'll see who turns out for Mitt.

 

[freelance]

Don't need enthusiasm, just tickets to a BBQ and a free ride....just pull the lever for Mitt....come on....we'll show ya how to spell it on the way.

A Diebold machine will do in a pinch.

 

[dspectre]

Guys, you need to be more optimistic.

I think RP can definitely win this. The "polls" make things look more favorable to Romney more than what they really are.

How many votes will it take to win the straw poll?

 

[Richie]

How many votes will it take to win the straw poll?

If I'm not mistaken, this straw poll is going to massive. Like - thousands of people massive. If anybody has a more specific number, please correct me.

This is going to be a challenge. There's not a doubt in my mind that Romney is going to win first. We need to work to get Ron Paul in the top 3.

 

[Psyclone]

I don't think we should be getting our hopes up too high about the straw poll. Dr. Paul got a late start in Iowa, and although our door to door campaigning in the Ames area is better than anyone else, we are far behind in a) radio and TV ads and b) outreach to most areas of the state. I am worried that all the enthusiasm is going to leave the campaign if Dr. Paul finishes 5th, but I think that is the most likely outcome right now. Romney, Tommy Thomspon, Huckabee, and Brownback are all making the Ames straw poll a make or break event, and we need to keep that in mind when predicting the outcome.

 

[Richandler]

Well it looks like the MSM are refusing to cover Ron Paul again and is loving all over Mitt and Hillary. We have to pull the upset by all means possible.

 

[angelatc]

23,685 - total number of votes cast in 1999. GWB won with 7418.

Nobody has ever bypassed the Straw Poll and gone on to win the caucuses.

 

[Badger Paul]

RP's official camapaign is running ads on both radio and TV this week to go along with what the non-official campaign has been doing (like us for example). RP is traveling throughout the state this week. The GOP field is very fluid and volatile and support for the candidates is a mile wide and an inch deep. And the poll is open to all Iowa voters not just Republicans. Yes what we're trying to do is very difficult but we have a shot and we have to take it.

 

[Psyclone]

I agree with Badger Paul that it is good to take our best shot, but we have to remember that it is still early in the campaign season. We can't let our enthusiasm flag if things don't go as well as we hope in the Ames straw poll.

 

[Scribbler de Stebbing]

Wish we could have brought the libertarians in to vote. It's not too late to try to get an in somehow with the Libertarian Party, to try to get a message out via email to their list. But I've run up against a wall every time I've tried.

Are there any good libertarian message boards we can get on? Best if it's an IA libertarian board, but even a general board will hit SOME Iowans.

 

[ThePieSwindler]

Wish we could have brought the libertarians in to vote. It's not too late to try to get an in somehow with the Libertarian Party, to try to get a message out via email to their list. But I've run up against a wall every time I've tried.

Are there any good libertarian message boards we can get on? Best if it's an IA libertarian board, but even a general board will hit SOME Iowans.

Wait why is there a "wall"? Have you tried to contact them and they do not listen or respond, or are you just having trouble contacting them? Or something else?

 

[pazzo83]

Now to clear things up, is FT going to be on the ballot?

 

[TexMac]

Wish we could have brought the libertarians in to vote. It's not too late to try to get an in somehow with the Libertarian Party, to try to get a message out via email to their list. But I've run up against a wall every time I've tried.

Are there any good libertarian message boards we can get on? Best if it's an IA libertarian board, but even a general board will hit SOME Iowans.

Most Libertarians are already on board for RP. If they aren't, there's probably nothing you can say that would help.

 

[Thomas_Paine]

I don't think we should be getting our hopes up too high about the straw poll. Dr. Paul got a late start in Iowa, and although our door to door campaigning in the Ames area is better than anyone else, we are far behind in a) radio and TV ads and b) outreach to most areas of the state. I am worried that all the enthusiasm is going to leave the campaign if Dr. Paul finishes 5th, but I think that is the most likely outcome right now. Romney, Tommy Thomspon, Huckabee, and Brownback are all making the Ames straw poll a make or break event, and we need to keep that in mind when predicting the outcome.

I agree that expecting somewheres around 3th is cautiously optimistic. 1st would be miracle (why can't God rig the diebold machines?

I do NOT believe that the optimism will permanently leave the campaign if he places lower. When you are fighting for our freedom, a strawpoll is not going to stop you.

 

[Hook]

Over 70% of the Libertarians are voting for Paul already.