News from Iowa

[Syren123]

What a beautiful state!

 

[poppop_schell]

I hope Mr. Schell will take this constructive criticism well. I had suspected something funky was afoot, and this seems to confirm that. Those who clamor loudly about the way the Freedom Train is being run seem eager to get control of the wheel and gas pedal. That's not a good impulse, I believe.

I would not say what was posted was constructive criticism just criticism. But hopefully I have given a reasonable reply explaining the huge travel constraints I'm under?

I assume you feel that the Nationally/State based paid staff Ron Paul Iowa Campaign is moving along in an effective way and will result in a huge strawvote for Ron Paul? My heart goes out to the Meetup volunteers who are giving their all and even beyond. I am totally impressed with many folks total dedication to the Revolution. I would be there IF I could.

Well, I hope that you are right and I am totally wrong. IF you are right, it will be because of the volunteers inspite of the botchups by paid staff. We will see on August 11th. The passing out of over 8000 DVds last weekend by just a few volunteers was something that should go down in the history books.

NOT a good impulse? Perhaps. But to remain silent when one sees what IMO is gross negligence such as failing to return telephone calls from the leading newspaper in Iowa so RP is fairly represented, is very dysfuntional and hardly speaks well for the goal of seeing Ron Paul win. You may see evil intents in my motivation: that is certainly your right to do so. I will keep plugging away as best I can under the constricnts I presently face.

 

[poppop_schell]

Mr. Schell - I think you've done some good things for the RP effort but I disagree with your assessment of HQ. I've met all the Iowa staff and most of the national staff and been impressed. These people are working as hard as they can and to the best of their ability, IMO. If you think someone isn't listening to you then just go do your own thing, but always identify yourself as "just a volunteer".

They can't even come on here and respond to your assessment due to FEC issues. It would be a waste of time, anyway.

Besides, you're responding to an issue that came up a week ago (and dozens of posts) and has since been resolved by HQ. The DM Register has included Dr. Paul in two "Where Republican Candidates Stand" features since the omission.

No looking back! Let's move onward to Ames!

Thank you for your assessment of the National paid staff. I have no doubt that they are working very hard. My concern is "how smart" from a political strategy standpoint. The Iowa Strawvote is critical for getting RP above the media radar. Those polls that are being posted btter vastly imporve in the next two weeks.

I hope with all my heart that Ron Paul comes in first or 2nd at Ames. Certainly IF he doesn't it won't be because of the lack of hard work by volunteers. They are amazing. I haven't seen this type of dedication since 1968 by the Eugene McCarthy people who caused LBJ ,a sitting President, to NOT run for another term

I keep hearing about what the FEC requires concerning any coordination of the grassroots and National State paid staff. I have several lawyer friends who wonder what National is talking about. The grassroots is NOT raising any MONEY???? I will be calling lawyers at the FEC to help clarify this. The Iowa SofS's office wondered also what National was talking about. Yes, I am doing wehat I can to help RP win.

Being an old aduitor of systems, I have to ask the question... what controls have been put in place to make sure that another Des Moines Register fiasoc doesn't occur. YES LOOK TO THE FUTURE BUT MAKE SURE THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST DON'T OCCUR AGAIN. HEY, THIS RACE IS REALLY GOING TO GET HEATED UP. THOSE MANAGEMENT CONTROLS AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS WILL REALLY BE PUT TO THE TEST.

And yes, I am trying to "do my own thing as a volunteer" but real sucess will only occur through copperative efforts by our Meetup Groups.

 

[poppop_schell]

I've bit my tongue long enough.

We all see reality in a different way. In my view of reality, we have a guy who contantly likes to talk himself up, yet does nearly nothing for the campaign (nothign verifiable atleast)

Yes, you are in every meetup. I know - I get email responses to every single event you say no to. You don't go to any meetup meetings, but you constantly reply no to them. Are you aware of the number of emails that get sent from doing such a thing? It's the Dr. Schell spam hour in my inbox sometimes.

You don't go to meetings - we get it. So stop RSPV'ing no to them. We already know you aren't coming because that's how you roll.

And yes, I know how busy you are. We are all busy - which is why I don't waste my time joinging meetup groups when I have zero plans on working with that meetup group.
Seems harsh? Good. Quit saying derogatory things about HQ and I wont feel compelled to point out your own shortcomings!

Glad you held back your opinions/criticisms and hope your tongue is no longer bleeding? (grin)

One very important factor is missing from your post. I CANNOT be at meetings because of travel rules that I have agreed to when I accepted the calling to be a full-time Senior Mormon Missionary at Old Nauvoo, IL. I am serving also all seven days and fit my campaign time in when I can. I would be there IF I could. I am retired and have the retirement income to do this.

There is a simple reason why I am a member of every Iowa Meetup Group. That is the way I get information to pass on to my own Meetup Group. Iowa badly needs an "Umbrella Meetup Group" which links all the 15 or so Iowa Meetups together to help better communication, coordination of activities, and help lazar focus our limited resources on key activities such as the Ames strawpoll and the caucuses in January. The volunteers are GREAT>>> they just need to know that we are all working together to help each other get Ron Paul elected.

I have appproched John Kerr to use his present Group #420 to expand its activities to do this important umbrella work. The current Iowa Coordinator Meetup is NOT serving this key function. I volunteered to set this umbrealla function up and to have a state-wide Calender by John simply making me an Assistant Coordinator. I have yet to hear from John Kerr????

I have no desire to duplicate efforts or to compete BUT I will establish this Umbrella hopefully before August 11th IF John Kerr decides for whatever reason NOT to have the Umbrella Organization and let me take this function off his busy shoulders. This is NOT about personalities or turf... it is about making sure we do everything possible to see that Ron Paul is elected.

I would be glad to hear what really great things you believe National is effectively doing to help Ron Paul place 1st or 2nd in the upcoming strawvote. I will be gald "to eat my hat." OK?

 

[ARealConservative]

I would be glad to hear what really great things you believe National is effectively doing to help Ron Paul place 1st or 2nd in the upcoming strawvote. I will be gald "to eat my hat." OK?

They seem to recognize individuals that do more then talk on the internet.

Whereas you have claimed difficulty corresponding to HQ, they have been very responsive to me and others I have talked to in meetup groups.

So I give them props for recognizing those that look to further the campaign vs those that like to throw the campaign under moving busses.

Ultimately, saying negative things about the campaign on RonPaulForums can only produce negative results. This place isn't a vehicle to change the official campaign actions - it is a vehicle for grass roots followers to stay connected - and hopefully to stay energized as well.

 

[Dave]

Ron Paul will be spending some significant time in Iowa soon. The debate in Des Moines is this Sunday and he will spend some time in Iowa between the debate and the Ames Straw Poll the following Saturday. It looks like some official events are tentatively coming together in several towns around Iowa. It looks like Dr. Paul will do the grand opening of the Iowa HQ in Des Moines and participate in a Des Moines Register Forum at the Iowa State Fair on 8/10 and give a short speech, too. There may also be some private visits with media in a few towns.

 

[rich34]

That's great news to hear Dave!

 

[Badger Paul]

Good! He needs to be there from Aug. 4-11. Build the curiosity of Iowans about Paul and then have close the deal in the last week. A real "surge" so to speak.

 

[Dave]

Duncan Hunter is on WHO right now via phone with Steve Deace (rhymes with face). I wish he would go away because I'm counting on him to lose to Ron Paul.

 

[poppop_schell]

They seem to recognize individuals that do more then talk on the internet.

Whereas you have claimed difficulty corresponding to HQ, they have been very responsive to me and others I have talked to in meetup groups.

So I give them props for recognizing those that look to further the campaign vs those that like to throw the campaign under moving busses.

Ultimately, saying negative things about the campaign on RonPaulForums can only produce negative results. This place isn't a vehicle to change the official campaign actions - it is a vehicle for grass roots followers to stay connected - and hopefully to stay energized as well.

I am glad that you have ready access and support from National. My main complaint is lack of communication and direction from Iowa paid staff. So you know that I am NOT "just posting", I have done the following given my trravel limitations: ( and I am NOT trying to boost... just respond to your charge that I'm doing nothing)

1. Found a printer in Ft. Mdison who likes Ron Paul and will give us very good rates on all RP handouts, etc.
2. Contacted all the GOP leaders in the Iowa 2nd Congresional District to let them know of the Volunteer RP campaign in their counties. Tried recruiting other Iowa volunteers to take the other four district and do the same. I had no success on this. I supplied the actual e-mail I sent to each of the GOP leaders with good success from these leaders. Having good relations with local GOP lewaders will pay off both in the short term and long term when RP is the nominee.
3. I am on the Conservative Voice and ALterNet blogs promoting and recruiting for RP. Answering false chanrges and misinformation about RP.
4. I have volunteered for 100 names to telephone BUT never heard back. Did this twice. BTW, I was on the Thursday night Conference Call when the promise was made by Heather that National was fully ready to replace the Spooner Project that was up and running with over 300 volunteer callers.
5. I have sent out 50 letters to Iowa voters and have requested 50 more but no response.
6. I have volunteered to provide FREE managerial and political consulting to every Iowa Meetup based on 30 years as a Business Professor, 40 years in political activism, and from running for NC Governor in 2000.

I am a doer but am greatly restrained in the type of activities I can do right now.

Loyalty is not measured by how well one can be a YES man and practice GROUPTHINK but in helping to stregthen weaknesses and hopefully making them strengths. I am very sorry that you see this as "being negative."

 

[MozoVote]

I find it odd that Ron Paul is taking time away from Iowa on Aug 9th to speak at the Paducah, Kentucky meetup. I mean no slight to them, but shouldn't maximizing appearances in Iowa before the straw poll that week take precedence?

 

[Johnnybags]

I think its his kid Rand

I find it odd that Ron Paul is taking time away from Iowa on Aug 9th to speak at the Paducah, Kentucky meetup. I mean no slight to them, but shouldn't maximizing appearances in Iowa before the straw poll that week take precedence?

Not sure though.

 

[Dave]

Here's a 30-second TV ad being run here by Tancredo. I don't see these since I rarely watch TV but I read about this running here and found the clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zng6I74L5QY

 

[lillyx]

Please rename this thread as suggested all eyes on Iowa so that others may come to learn what you have reported.

 

[spotics]

I find it odd that Ron Paul is taking time away from Iowa on Aug 9th to speak at the Paducah, Kentucky meetup. I mean no slight to them, but shouldn't maximizing appearances in Iowa before the straw poll that week take precedence?

Rand Paul is speaking at Paducah.

 

[Jennifer Reynolds]

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[Jennifer Reynolds]

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[jason43]

This is what I got off of eventful today:

I see no appearances in Iowa before the straw poll. NONE. So how can we do this by ourselves?

Don't be disheartened, there are thousands of us calling and writing Iowans. I agree that I also don't really understand what his campaign is thinking sometimes. I guess save the money so that they can go the distance?? Let the supporters deal with promotions? I don't really know.

I also agree with you that because he has the month off, he should be hitting Iowa pretty hard. At the least a few appearances in the state.

 

[freelance]

Jennifer,

For short "position papers," check out his Texas Straight Talk site:

http://www.house.gov/paul/legis_tst.htm

It's not exactly elegant, but it contains some good information.

Hope this helps.

 

[Jennifer Reynolds]

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