My sobering analysis on iowa, from Cedar Rapids

[hambone1982]

The vast majority of people in Iowa will not show up to either party's caucuses, and my guess is that you would find similar numbers when calling about any other candidate.

I hope you're right.

 

[Cyclone177]

I was at the rally in Council Bluffs IA 2 weeks ago. The campaign planned on 500 showing up, and they had to bring in around 200 extra chairs. So-around 700 showed up. The campaign said it was 3x more peeps than in the summer.

Iowa is going to surprise people I think. Illegal Immigration is much more of an issue here than in many places. With Tancredo out, Thompson or Paul becomes the guy on that issue. Entire towns that rely on meat packing plants have been taken over by immigrants-some legal, some not legal.

People are pissed in Iowa.

 

[BrianH]

My sincere congratulations for persevering so hard with the phoning. Everything helps, and the media is now helping the campaign finally with recent TV coverage. If you can get some funds for small local newspaper ads we are finding these help a lot. I have posted three we're doing here: http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=65555
and more here: http://ronpaul.meetup.com/267/files/

I can send these in editable format for local customizing - or can customize for you. Anyone interested PM me your e-mail and I'll send the files to you.

 

[ButchHowdy]

If Paul comes in fifth in Iowa, it will be deemed a failure.
If Paul comes in fourth, it will be deemed neither a success nor a failure.
If Paul comes in third, it will be deemed a success.
If Paul comes in second, it will be deemed an amazing success.
If Paul comes in first, martial law will be declared.

THAT is good! Don't mind if I use this elsewhere!

 

[azminuteman]

The photos of Huck and Mitt raping two Ethiopian boys will be published on January 2nd.

Now, is there anyone here good with PhotoShop?

Didn't Johnson say to tell the public that your opponent f*cks sheep and he'll have to spend resources disprove it?

 

[JenaS62]

If Paul comes in fifth in Iowa, it will be deemed a failure.
If Paul comes in fourth, it will be deemed neither a success nor a failure.
If Paul comes in third, it will be deemed a success.
If Paul comes in second, it will be deemed an amazing success.
If Paul comes in first, martial law will be declared.

I'll be very, very happy with third place, but wouldn't be surprised if Paul comes in fourth.

It's funny that you mention martial law. We may have it for both scenarios. My husband just said today - if Ron Paul does not win the nomination or the election if he get's that far - people are going to be pissed and Bush will declare martial law.

 

[PledgeForPaul]

As a clerical note, I believe my original post was interpreted by some as me saying "I'm sad we will only get 3rd". I meant to say I thought 1st & 2nd seem impossible, and 3rd seems unlikely. Also, I appreciate the user who did the math showing a 3rd place finish may only need the 3 or 4 people I have talked to that may vote RP in my precinct.

Some other things I've thought about:
1. Cold calling has been the hardest thing I've ever done.
2. I have grown upset with the official campaign without realizing it. I've donated significant money to them, but have built this clearly irrational psychological wall against paying $24 to buy yard signs (from rp2008.com store). I've asked the head of the meetup group and head of the Iowa GOP campaign (drew) with no luck. I live near the busiest intersection in Cedar Rapids. What a strange thing that I have spent so many hours on this, but have not paid $24 for some yard signs. It is probably some sort of selfish anger or childish need for recognition. I'm not sure, but I just realized how absurd it is.
3. I have grown slightly annoyed with some of the ronpaulforums users with x,xxx posts who I suspect have done nothing on the ground and are sort of like groupies. I guess groupies are okay. They should just not pretend like they are in the band.
4. I'm also annoyed with all the irrational arguments pro-lifers PM me about why abortion is wrong (I've been debating it in the hot-topics forum). Most of the pro-lifers have rational arguments (that I disagree with), but there is this significant contingency of RP supporters who hold onto logic that would make a 4th grader pee his pants laughing. It just disheartens me and I can only hope they are in middle school or something.
5. I'm kind of disappointed my site pledgeforpaul.com has tapered off. I was hoping it would get more use.
6. Voicing my concerns and skepticism has been helpful. I feel refreshed. Thanks, Forums.

 

[Eric21ND]

Everyone who wants Ron Paul to win HAS to either call people or knock on doors and talk to people face to face. There's no other way around it. The thing is even if people don't agree with you, you planted that one seed in the back of their mind so they'll probably look into Ron Paul now after you brought him to their attention. If you actually go to their door and speak with them I think that goes a long way and shows you truly care. People tend to respect that and might remember that you took time to speak with them when they go vote.

Oh and make sure you say Ron Paul is the strongest on illegal immigration, since that seems to be the hot topic down there. ALL the other candidates are weak on immigration...McCain, Romney, Huckster. Hit that hot button issue hard my friend. Thanks for all your doing down there!

 

[AdamT]

I have 200 letters in route now. 100 postmarked 2 days ago, 100 postmarked today. Enforcements on the way!

 

[SophisticatedFarmGirl]

yest its 2000...

Iowa is stuck in the middle of nowhere america and at this point its quite pathetic that they dont know who Paul is, seriously they are suppose to vote in a few all they need to do is look up on the internet to see who the candidates are...

I knew name recognition would be our downfall in Iowa those hicks are to dumb to look for information on their own and most probably are still on dial up...

I really think if we dont get top 3 in Iowa we might as well give up because the myth that he cant get elected will become reality when people see those results and people will not vote for him...

having said that , FUCK IOWA!

and wtf is the campaign doing in IOWA, I swear our biggest obstacle is an inept campaign not any opponent....

Not a way to win votes, man. My cousin lives in Iowa and is a brilliant scientist. No stereotyping, please.

 

[Tratzman]

The campaign is starting to find names off their automated polling system and they're relaying them to us county organizers. We are calling to connect with these people and asking that they bring as many RP supporters to the caucus with them as possible. Precinct calling has been met with maybe 2-4% success rate in my experience. Most registered Republicans (75-85%) are not attending the caucus, period.

We have enough RP supporters to easily win the caucus. We just need to find them and get them there on Thursday.

Have some faith in the Hawkeye state!

Chad

 

[Pete]

Everyone who wants Ron Paul to win HAS to either call people or knock on doors and talk to people face to face. There's no other way around it. The thing is even if people don't agree with you, you planted that one seed in the back of their mind so they'll probably look into Ron Paul now after you brought him to their attention. If you actually go to their door and speak with them I think that goes a long way and shows you truly care. People tend to respect that and might remember that you took time to speak with them when they go vote.

Today I circulated delegate petitions around my neighborhood, and many people were impressed that I cared enough about RP to do so, and wished me luck very sincerely. No one refused to sign. It was a very positive experience.

 

[pmbug]

As a clerical note, I believe my original post was interpreted by some as me saying "I'm sad we will only get 3rd". I meant to say I thought 1st & 2nd seem impossible, and 3rd seems unlikely. Also, I appreciate the user who did the math showing a 3rd place finish may only need the 3 or 4 people I have talked to that may vote RP in my precinct.

I sincerely appreciate your efforts in Iowa. There are a lot of skeptical folks that I converse with (not in Iowa) that believe wholesale in the MSM polls and think Ron Paul won't get better than 2-6% of the vote (they are not paying attention to what's happening day by day either). A 3rd place finish in Iowa with >10% of the vote is going to really surprise a lot of people IMO and get them to take a closer look (in other states).

Take heart. Even the MSM polls are showing Ron Paul's support in Iowa has more than doubled in the last week. Your hard work is laying the foundation.

5. I'm kind of disappointed my site pledgeforpaul.com has tapered off. I was hoping it would get more use.

I never heard of your site, but I did hear about the tea party and I suspect there are a lot of folks who know how to donate directly to the campaign site thanks to the MSM coverage of the two big money bombs. In the end, getting the money to the campaign so they can run the media ads in all the states is the important thing - not whether folks sign up on sites like teaparty07.com or ronpaulpayday.com or your site (I haven't seen it - I'm assuming it allows people to register an intent to donate).

 

[idiom]

Hey I just found out calling Iowa from Australia via Skype is only € 0.02 per minute.

Maybe I can join in on calling?

 

[ionlyknowy]

As a clerical note, I believe my original post was interpreted by some as me saying "I'm sad we will only get 3rd". I meant to say I thought 1st & 2nd seem impossible, and 3rd seems unlikely. Also, I appreciate the user who did the math showing a 3rd place finish may only need the 3 or 4 people I have talked to that may vote RP in my precinct.

Some other things I've thought about:
1. Cold calling has been the hardest thing I've ever done.
2. I have grown upset with the official campaign without realizing it. I've donated significant money to them, but have built this clearly irrational psychological wall against paying $24 to buy yard signs (from rp2008.com store). I've asked the head of the meetup group and head of the Iowa GOP campaign (drew) with no luck. I live near the busiest intersection in Cedar Rapids. What a strange thing that I have spent so many hours on this, but have not paid $24 for some yard signs. It is probably some sort of selfish anger or childish need for recognition. I'm not sure, but I just realized how absurd it is.
3. I have grown slightly annoyed with some of the ronpaulforums users with x,xxx posts who I suspect have done nothing on the ground and are sort of like groupies. I guess groupies are okay. They should just not pretend like they are in the band.
4. I'm also annoyed with all the irrational arguments pro-lifers PM me about why abortion is wrong (I've been debating it in the hot-topics forum). Most of the pro-lifers have rational arguments (that I disagree with), but there is this significant contingency of RP supporters who hold onto logic that would make a 4th grader pee his pants laughing. It just disheartens me and I can only hope they are in middle school or something.
5. I'm kind of disappointed my site pledgeforpaul.com has tapered off. I was hoping it would get more use.
6. Voicing my concerns and skepticism has been helpful. I feel refreshed. Thanks, Forums.

I used to do cold call for a credit card collection agency. Believe me it really gets your spirits down... no one wants to be talking to you, and everyone dreads your call. They curse at you they hang up on you they lie to you they do all sorts of things. This just comes with the territory though... Dont let it affect you.

You are making a huge difference and I suspect we will do better than you think in Iowa.

 

[VicVixvi]

In 1941, as World War II raged across Europe and German bombs rained down on London, Prime Minister Winston Churchill was asked to speak at The Harrows School. He was speaking to a group of boys, ready to graduate school, many of whom would also soon fight and die in liberating Europe of the German stranglehold.

When it came time for the Prime Minister to speak, he continued to sit in his chair as the audience became hushed. After several minutes, he slowly rose from his chair and walked slowly to the podium. He gazed across the audience and uttered these words.

Never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.

Never give up.

Never give up.

Never give up.

 

[Myerz]

Name Recognition......... One More Time.......name Recognition!

They Will Not Know Anything About Him If They've Never Heard Of Him!!!

 

[xCakex]

Thank you for all that you do Iowa Team, help out in the days to come until the caucus and then you can all have a breather. Remember to help fund the blimp as it gets A LOT of attention and participate in the massive end of the year march http://www.ronpaulmarch.com we're taking this country back one town at a time!

 

[bucfish]

Keep up the good work last surges can have a great effect especially with this years lying cheating feld of candidates that are the biggest panderers I have ever seen.

 

[austin4paul]

Get this man some yard signs!

I live near the busiest intersection in Cedar Rapids. What a strange thing that I have spent so many hours on this, but have not paid $24 for some yard signs. It is probably some sort of selfish anger or childish need for recognition. I'm not sure, but I just realized how absurd it is.

Dude -- What the...??? Please PM me with your home address and I will Fedex you some yard signs tomorrow!!!!