News from Iowa

[JosephTheLibertarian]

Most Iowans are against the war They will also like him on lower taxes and no gun control.

 

[Dave]

Dave, from your take on the feelings of voters in the state, do you think that RP's stance on the war would be the best way to attract readers to "ads?"

Any other issues where RP's stand might resonate?

Taxes?

Gun control?

My 2 cents...

Every one of Dr. Paul's stands will turn off/on a large number of people so I think you have to serve up a pallette so everyone can find something they like. Lots of liberals are excited about his Iraq war stand but don't you honestly think we'll lose their interest when they find out he's anti-abortion, anti-gun control, and anti-government programs? Dr. Paul is a traditional conservative, not a modern liberal.

I think immigration issues are huge in Iowa right now - Dr. Paul's stand here can draw attention. Fighting for lower taxes is always a plus but you've got to convince readers he's not like every other candidate who promises this.

His stance on property rights and eminent domain will resonate here. Inside the GOP his stand against abortion and gun control is a must.

Dr. Paul's positions don't sell well in sound bites - they take time for people to think about, learn, and digest. The ads should serve two purposes:

1. Get the name Ron Paul before as many eyes as possible.
2. Get people hungry to learn more.

Perhaps lead in with some questions. For example:

"Tired of voting for the lesser of two evils?"
"Ready to hear the TRUTH?"
"Tired of cardboard candidates?"
"Tired of politicians who only tell you what they think you want to hear"
"Do you think politicians are all the same?"

 

[Bradley in DC]

I think immigration issues are huge in Iowa right now - Dr. Paul's stand here can draw attention. Fighting for lower taxes is always a plus but you've got to convince readers he's not like every other candidate who promises this.

His stance on property rights and eminent domain will resonate here. Inside the GOP his stand against abortion and gun control is a must.

Iowa has historically been very anti-war and pro-life. Playing up Dr. Paul's record consistent principle (in this case in favor of a seamless garment of a culture of life-- Catholic language should work there well too). This argument contrasts nicely with the pro-abortion, pro-war, flip flopping competition!

 

[angelatc]

My thought is that nearly everything should be turned into a state's rights issue.

Taking the power back from Washington.

 

[lonestarguy]

Dave, Considering the current 'Caucus' season, what is your perception on the historic availability of hotel room availability, camping space, college dorm rooms, etc?

What are you seeing right now on the ground, I gather your in Des Moines? Certainly other campaign peeps have knocked on your door, spoke to you, probably tried to canvas you for all kinds of info?

So correct me if I'm wrong, I often am, but what do you see as the must haves? Each campaign must find a precinct captain for each targeted precinct? His job is to be responsible for holding the decided of that candidate and getting them to the caucus in winter. He's also responsible for gathering them up for the bus ride to Ames, correcto?

The individual campaigns rent the buses to pick up their flocks from around the state to bus into Ames for the August 11th Strawpoll? Or, buses are available at the meet points, for the towns across the state, for all who are there to board these buses to head for Ames?

Besides the candidate, his message, power of character, issue positions, on the ground, the precinct captain for any campaign is the most significant person?

Off hand, how many precincts across Iowa, hundreds, huh? But Gopers and Dems concentrate mostly on there areas of strength in the state, traditional Gop areas and the traditional Dem areas?

How would you characterize, a bit more specifically, the state partisan geographic layout. Using, say the I-35 and I-80 corridors. Would you say the I-80 corridor from Des Moines, west to Nebraska state line is overwhelming GOP? East of Des Moines along the I-80 corridor and south to the Missouri line Democratic?

In recent prez election seasons, if you were ever impressed with a campaign, what was it that "on-the-ground game" that impressed you? Was it the resoluteness of relentless contact by door-to-door volunteers, etc?

Thanks so much!

 

[Pedrique]

Seems like two issues could consolidate folks in Iowa and still make RP distinct.

Opposition to the Iraq War
Strong stance on illegal immigration.

These two issues seem cross-platform and also make him distinct from all republican candidates. Focusing on these two could be a powerful message to bring independents and maybe democrats into the fold.

Adding pro-life may solidify the gop base but since it could alienate others we want voting in the primary it might be best to leave it off of the primary message.

That's my 2 cents.

 

[johngr]

Don't forget "Abolish the IRS immediately". NONE OF THE OTHER CANDIDATES CAN TOUCH DR. PAUL ON THIS ISSUE! We've got to get across (in Iowa as well as everywhere else) that that's not just an empty promise. He will actually do it.

"Tired of tax, borrow and spend republicans? Vote Ron Paul."

 

[Dave]

Seems like two issues could consolidate folks in Iowa and still make RP distinct.

Opposition to the Iraq War
Strong stance on illegal immigration.

These two issues seem cross-platform and also make him distinct from all republican candidates. Focusing on these two could be a powerful message to bring independents and maybe democrats into the fold.

Adding pro-life may solidify the gop base but since it could alienate others we want voting in the primary it might be best to leave it off of the primary message.

That's my 2 cents.

This is worth a LOT more than 2 cents. I think you've boiled it down well and really nailed it. On these two issues people are sick of the talking heads from both sides. We should focus on these 2 issues in Iowa.

 

[Dave]

Dave, Considering the current 'Caucus' season, what is your perception on the historic availability of hotel room availability, camping space, college dorm rooms, etc?

I doubt if finding a bed would be a problem. The Ames straw poll could be a bottleneck - 40,000 attended in 1999. Iowa State will have tons of empty dorm space at that time but I don't know if they use it for things like this. That date (8/11) is alslo the first day of the Iowa State Fair 40 miles away in Des Moines and that tends to clog the hotels/campgrounds in central Iowa.

What are you seeing right now on the ground, I gather your in Des Moines? Certainly other campaign peeps have knocked on your door, spoke to you, probably tried to canvas you for all kinds of info?

I'm on a somewhat rural road just outside of Des Moines so I haven't had anyone at my door. I get lots of automated phone calls from the candidates every time there's any election. I've only gotten one so far this year - from Tommy Thompson inviting me to the Ames Straw Poll. I know one of the big wheels in Brownback's Iowa organization so I get lots of emails from that campaign. I've gotten about 3 slick mailings from Romney (including a DVD) and 1 from Brownback. I expect all of this to pick up in the next few weeks.

Candidates from both parties who want to score here are spending a LOT of time all over Iowa and calling in to talk radio from the road in Iowa and from elsewhere.

I started this thread to keep people aware of what I'm seeing on the ground in Iowa so I'll keep posting...

So correct me if I'm wrong, I often am, but what do you see as the must haves? Each campaign must find a precinct captain for each targeted precinct? His job is to be responsible for holding the decided of that candidate and getting them to the caucus in winter. He's also responsible for gathering them up for the bus ride to Ames, correcto?

A precinct captain (campaigns have different names for this person) is an unofficial person who tries to get people in their precinct to vote with them on caucus night. As far as the Ames poll, I don't think people work at the precinct level to get turnout for this but I suppose the most aggressive supporters do.

The individual campaigns rent the buses to pick up their flocks from around the state to bus into Ames for the August 11th Strawpoll? Or, buses are available at the meet points, for the towns across the state, for all who are there to board these buses to head for Ames?

The former, I believe. Campaigns round up people and get them on their buses. I don't think people supporting different candidates end up on the same bus. Of course lots of people drive themselves to Ames, too. You don't have to come by bus.

Besides the candidate, his message, power of character, issue positions, on the ground, the precinct captain for any campaign is the most significant person?

I don't know if I'd say they're the most significant but they are the most grassroots-level. This would be the bottom tier on an org chart. They are the ones who will speak out in their precinct on caucus night and try to convince people to vote for Dr. Paul. It's Ron Paul's job to load the bases - someone in each precinct needs to bat cleanup to drive them home.

Off hand, how many precincts across Iowa, hundreds, huh? But Gopers and Dems concentrate mostly on there areas of strength in the state, traditional Gop areas and the traditional Dem areas?

I've heard numbers from 1800 to 2000. I don't think anyone targets by precinct. I think they target more by congressional district (Iowa has 5) or at the county level (Iowa has 99).

How would you characterize, a bit more specifically, the state partisan geographic layout. Using, say the I-35 and I-80 corridors. Would you say the I-80 corridor from Des Moines, west to Nebraska state line is overwhelming GOP? East of Des Moines along the I-80 corridor and south to the Missouri line Democratic?

I'd use I-35 as an east-west divider. The western half of Iowa is more GOP but more sparsely populated. Take a look at the famous red/blue county maps from the last two elections here:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/vote2004/countymap.htm

In recent prez election seasons, if you were ever impressed with a campaign, what was it that "on-the-ground game" that impressed you? Was it the resoluteness of relentless contact by door-to-door volunteers, etc?

Thanks so much!

Everyone was amazed with the Deaniacs last time. They wore orange stocking caps and went door-to-door all winter in great numbers. Nonetheless, Dean finished BELOW expectations in 3rd place.

It's impressive when a candidate can build grassroots support that builds into mainstream support and coverage. Then it's about placement (spending $) - it's noticeable when a candidate permeates your radio, tv, and mail.

Something that really means a lot to Iowans is meeting the candidate in person. Candidates are crawling all over Iowa right now and Iowans love sizing them up in person, especially the big names.

 

[Lois]

I see that someone in this thread said this --

Maybe those of us with internet skills (not me) can donate their talents to HQ to make the web site the best it can be, whatever that means.

However - I just read where someone else said this --

A distressing trend rears its ugly head - again

I was talking to a political activist with considerable experience and resourses at his disposal. He related to me how he had recently been in touch with the RP 'national campaign HQ'. He offered his resources and his expertise gratis to some fellow at the RP national HQ. What he was offering was nothing to sneeze at. This joker at the RP HQ blew him off, told him they had no need of him or what he had to offer. And then when this fellow went on to elaborate, saying, "I don't think you fully comprehend what I'm willing to do for RP, I wanna speak to your supervisor," this joker very rudely reiterated "I told you we have no use of you and what you have to offer" and then hung up on him.

This is a something I have witnessed before, as a distant observer and personally - so-called 'professional campaign workers' effing think they know it all and have absolutely no need of us peons meddling in 'their' 'efforts'.

Is this an issue that needs to be addressed before a lot of Ron Paul supporters spend a lot of time and energy where it's not wanted?

 

[JosephTheLibertarian]

My thought is that nearly everything should be turned into a state's rights issue.

Taking the power back from Washington.

yup. People think that RP is pushing pro-life issues, no, he's only pro-life in belief, he will allow the states to make the call, he will not go either way. Most libertarians reject the label of pro-life/choice, they just say : non-government issue. But.. it'll play well in Iowa, then, if he wins the nomination, he can start saying "it's a non-government issue, leave it to the states!" this would keep him out of the pro-life/choice fight, will preserve his mixed base.

 

[SV-v2.0]

I see that someone in this thread said this --



However - I just read where someone else said this --



Is this an issue that needs to be addressed before a lot of Ron Paul supporters spend a lot of time and energy where it's not wanted?

Lois, this is why I think it's important for us grassroots folks to seize the initiative, go out into the field, and get things done on our own without waiting for direction from the headquarters. Of course we still work with them when and where we can, but time is of the essence and we need to git'er done. It's up to us regular folks to make this happen, IMO.

 

[Dave]

I see that someone in this thread said this --



However - I just read where someone else said this --



Is this an issue that needs to be addressed before a lot of Ron Paul supporters spend a lot of time and energy where it's not wanted?

I wish I could say this was the first time I've heard of this kind of thing. I'd say the folks at HQ are overwhelmed right now with all the response so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt but I hope I don't hear more of this.

 

[SV-v2.0]

I wish I could say this was the first time I've heard of this kind of thing. I'd say the folks at HQ are overwhelmed right now with all the response so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt but I hope I don't hear more of this.

Yes, I think part of it is just being overwhelmed, however by not properly managing the resources people are volunteering they're passing up on a lot of super potential by not utilizing it, IMO.

That's why we're largely on our own out here in the field and it is necessary for us grassroots folks to sally out on our own as best we can. We need to apply the resources we have amongst ourselves to the best of our ability rather than allowing them to get tossed by the wayside due to indifference by people who are already covered up.

Let's git'er done! We can do it!


.

 

[lonestarguy]

Lois, I would not worry about such stories. It's a normal course of being involved in politics, rumours of this, rumours of that, yadayadayada. It's normal. We all simply press on in positive manner doing the things we can do for our candidate. It's really that simple. So, just ignore such stories. Remember, as a normal course of things, the other campaigns are watching us, but of course we watch them. No problem.

 

[Dave]

What do Iowans care about?

The Des Moines Register today releases results of an Iowa poll of 400 reps and 400 dems asking how important various issues were to them and the issues on which they want more information from the candidates.

GOP Issues that stand out to me as high in importance AND needing more information are tax policy, national security, and immigration.

You can look at the table below or go here if you want the whole feature:
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/p...20070527/NEWS09/70525025/-1/iowapoll07&lead=1

What does this suggest to you?

 

[MsDoodahs]

Honestly? It suggests to me that most Iowa GOPers watch Fox News and that they live in fear of terror attack every day because they subject themselves to the Fox and NeoCon "terror tactic" of KEEPING AMERICANS LIVING IN FEAR.

 

[MsDoodahs]

Dave, do you happen to know what is the demographic of Iowa? Predominately dem or GOP overall?

 

[Dave]

Dave, do you happen to know what is the demographic of Iowa? Predominately dem or GOP overall?

I recall that it's fairly evenly split between rep, dem and independent but I think the dems have recently pulled ahead. Here's a link from the Iowa Secretary of State with some May 2007 reports by congressional district. Why don't you add these up to get a statewide total? NP means no party and I don't know how they define active vs. inactive.

http://www.sos.state.ia.us/elections/voterreg/regstat.html

 

[Dave]

Honestly? It suggests to me that most Iowa GOPers watch Fox News and that they live in fear of terror attack every day because they subject themselves to the Fox and NeoCon "terror tactic" of KEEPING AMERICANS LIVING IN FEAR.

I was looking for suggestions on how to reach people who might support Dr. Paul. Flaming members of the Iowa GOP doesn't promote our cause.