Ron Paul effectively tied in 1st is better than leading with 1st

[harikaried]

If Ron Paul came in 1st, it would have been negatively spun because he has a strong following. However being effectively tied in 1st place -- the media will say Bachmann has a very strong effort and Dr. Paul benefits from that positive spin.

In fact as Chris Wallace pointed out on Fox, Ron Paul probably spent much less money than Bachmann for basically the same number of votes, showing that Ron Paul is better off than her.

And as we know from 2007, a 2nd place finish can lead to winning Iowa. And we're off to a great start by being even closer to 1st place than Huckabee was.

Ames Straw Poll 2011:
Bachmann 4,823 (28.6%)
Paul: 4,671 (27.7%)

Ames Straw Poll 2007:
Mitt Romney: 4,516 (31.6%)
Mike Huckabee: 2,587 (18.1%)

For those that agree with Ron Paul but didn't actively support him, this will still be a big win in their eyes, and they will now come out to help.

We can now show those on the fence that Ron Paul Can Win. We are grassroots, and we can make that happen. Ron Paul 2012!

 

[erowe1]

I like the way you think.

The choices they gave us before the results were: either Ron Paul wins and the results are invalid, or Ron Paul loses and the results are valid.

What we got was valid results by that logic, with RP still being essentially tied for first.

 

[FunkBuddha]

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Sola_Fide]

I like the way you think.

The choices they gave us before the results were: either Ron Paul wins and the results are invalid, or Ron Paul loses and the results are valid.

What we got was valid results by that logic, with RP still being essentially tied for first.

Bingo. That should be our talking point coming out of this.

 

[sailingaway]

Randy Travis won and he won't be at the caucuses. But I can't go QUITE so far as to say winning wouldn't be better SO LONG as it was close.

 

[RonPaulFever]

Agreed!

 

[JackieDan]

exactly what I thought about too. Good post!

 

[Aliangel]

Remember fellas IOWA is not a take all state which means we're gonna dillute the establishment vote and could take majority delegates. Strong establishment figures like bachmann romney and perry should stay in , that will help us.

 

[misconstrued]

Absolutely agree. This is a "win" for us.

 

[Slimdude20]

Considering she get the "hometown" bump and we were still only 152 votes behind this is perfect!

And we have the only Texan who didn't work for Al Gore.

Winning.

 

[trey4sports]

sorry, but it's not reality.

Iowa media will play up the winner regardless of what the national media does. This was our one chance to get a huge boost and while we came close, there will be an 80/20 spread of media attention toward Bachmann/Paul and second is not nearly as good as first, but it is what it is.

 

[trey4sports]

Remember fellas IOWA is not a take all state which means we're gonna dillute the establishment vote and could take majority delegates. Strong establishment figures like bachmann romney and perry should stay in , that will help us.

Bachmann is not perceived as establishment.

 

[dirtfarmerz]

Yeah!!! I am excited at the results Ron Paul received. I would much rather have him in second than outright first place. This way the MSM can't dismiss the results as irrelevant and the odds are in Ron Paul's favor to get the GOP nomination.
President George Bush Was the only president EVER to win the Iowa straw poll, the Iowa caucus, the the GOP nomination, right?

RON PAUL 2012!!!!!!!

 

[harikaried]

This was our one chance to get a huge boost and while we came close, there will be an 80/20 spread of media attention toward Bachmann/Paul and second is not nearly as good as first, but it is what it is.

I forgot my main point before hitting submit and edited it in:

For those that agree with Ron Paul but didn't actively support him, this will still be a big win in their eyes, and they will now come out to help.

There are many people on the fence because they claim that Ron Paul cannot win. They don't need to be convinced of Dr. Paul's positions. Their argument of him not winning is effectively thrown out the window with this 1st place tie.

I agree that the national media won't give Ron Paul as much attention as Bachmann, but who is to say that they would have if he came in first?

We need to let everyone know that Ron Paul Can Win! We are grassroots, and we can make that happen.

 

[Agorism]

No it's not.

 

[ProfNo]

sorry, but it's not reality.

Iowa media will play up the winner regardless of what the national media does. This was our one chance to get a huge boost and while we came close, there will be an 80/20 spread of media attention toward Bachmann/Paul and second is not nearly as good as first, but it is what it is.

I agree with you here. First is always better than second.

That being said, a close second is going to help. Huckabee got second and won Iowa.

 

[speciallyblend]

awesomeness, WIN WIN WIN all around, GREAT JOB IOWA,now lets kick some NH,SC,NV butt!!!

 

[Cleaner44]

Agreed! Winning!

 

[Feelgood]

Re-count?

 

[Slimdude20]

sorry, but it's not reality.

Iowa media will play up the winner regardless of what the national media does. This was our one chance to get a huge boost and while we came close, there will be an 80/20 spread of media attention toward Bachmann/Paul and second is not nearly as good as first, but it is what it is.

Who will they turn to when people wake to the fact that Bahmann worked for the iRS, supported the patriot act, has a nagging voice (whoops thats one of my opinions), or if/when she makes more ridiculous statements/ collapses from migraines? I personally think we are in a very good position. As nice as a win would have been. this way Dr. Paul cannot be discredited.