Rand Paul’s Iowa Campaign Should Make the Rest of the GOP Field Nervous

[twomp]

Rand Paul’s Iowa Campaign Should Make the Rest of the GOP Field Nervous

As the old saying goes, out of sight, out of mind.

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul has only attended two multi-candidate events in Iowa this year – the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition event in April and the Republican Party of Iowa’s Lincoln Dinner in May.

With a field of 16 Republican presidential candidates, it’s easy to forget about candidates when they are not campaigning in your state, and skipping out on a number of high-profile evens can make it seem like the candidates who are not attending are not all that active in Iowa. Yet, just because a candidate isn’t taking the time to share a stage with their many competitors doesn’t mean they are not laying the groundwork for a formidable Iowa caucus campaign.

Senator Rand Paul isn’t your typical Republican. His libertarian leanings and focus on the federal government’s intrusion in people’s lives sets him apart from most, if not the rest of the huge field of candidates seeking the Republican nomination. Paul might not be riding the so-called circuit like his many of his contemporaries seem content in doing, but make no mistake, he is running a formidable caucus campaign in Iowa.

Paul has made five trips to Iowa since officially launching his bid for the Republican nomination for president in April. While Paul might not be showing up at every multi-candidate event in the state, he’s campaigned in 19 counties across the state in 2015. That’s just six fewer than Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum who have visited 25 counties in Iowa this calendar year. What’s more impressive is how well orchestrated the Paul campaign events are.

Last week, I attended Paul’s campaign event in Poweshiek County. The event was interesting to me for a number of reasons. First, Craig Lang, the former President of the Iowa Farm Bureau, hosted the event at one of his son’s farms. Second, the event was in Poweshiek County, a place I called home eight years. Third, the event was on a gravel road. A presidential event in the middle of the day basically in the middle of nowhere is always going to get me to circle the event on my calendar.

I was impressed with the turnout. About 50 or so people attended the event, and even though this wasn’t your typical campaign event, the mechanics the Paul campaign is deploying in Iowa was easy to see. First, the Paul campaign is wisely using Eventbrite to ticket their campaign events. Getting people to pre-register only makes the task of collecting data from the event easier. The event was well staffed, but the event itself was entirely reminiscent of Steve Forbes’ campaign events in the 2000 race.

Read the rest here:

http://theiowarepublican.com/2015/r...hould-make-the-rest-of-the-gop-field-nervous/

 

[William Tell]

Encouraging article.

 

[rich34]

Think of it like this, if Rand can hang onto just the vote Ron received in 2012 alone, he's got a very strong chance to easily win Iowa with a crowded GOP field. Not to mention it's four years later which allows more younger people to vote and the students will be back in town for the caucus this time unlike 2012. With any luck the social con vote should be more divided than it's ever been due to so many vying for that block of voters. Rand has as good of a chance as anyone, right now forget the polling.

 

[helenpaul]

We need to fight for every vote in Iowa. Strong start is essential in a crowded field.

 

[EBounding]

hile Paul might not be showing up at every multi-candidate event in the state, he’s campaigned in 19 counties across the state in 2015. That’s just six fewer than Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum who have visited 25 counties in Iowa this calendar year.

That's encouraging. This is what Ron's campaign needed to do.

 

[Warlord]

really encouraging stuff in that article.

 

[LatinsforPaul]

Great article and very encouraging, especially for the doubters.

 

[EBounding]

The article is a must read if you're feeling down in the dumps about the campaign.

With Paul, I find myself occasionally speculating that he isn’t as active as maybe he should be. Yet seeing his campaign in action last Thursday just proves that his Iowa operation is a well-oiled machine. Paul also delivered a message at the event that most, if not all, Republicans would be supportive of and rally behind.

 

[Badger Paul]

"With Paul, I find myself occasionally speculating that he isn’t as active as maybe he should be."

But unlike a lot of other candidates Rand doesn't have to introduce himself to Iowa voters nor does he have to throw everything at Iowa in hopes winning there will propel his campaign forward. Remember, the more time you spend in Iowa the less time you spend someplace else and this is, presumably, a 50-state campaign. The worst thing you can do is spend so much time there people get sick of you. The caucuses are still eight months away and there's no straw poll to have to prepare for either. So long as the organization is good and events don't trip up the campaign, he can be in Iowa when has to be, not every day.

 

[cindy25]

Rand may not have to win, but he has to be in the top 3, esp if the winner is a real contender (Trump, Jeb).

 

[Mr.NoSmile]

Well, now that this is out there, they won't be nervous. And it all goes well beyond the ground campaign- the delegate selection process, endless recounts, fake slates, all the fun from 2012.

 

[SilentBull]

Rand may not have to win, but he has to be in the top 3, esp if the winner is a real contender (Trump, Jeb).

I think he does. It's the only way they won't be able to ignore him. Even if he gets second, they'll just push someone else to win New Hampshire and ignore his strong showing. And if he loses both, I don't think there's a chance he'll win in other places.