Rubio wins Koch Straw Poll; Rand comes in Last

[NACBA]

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul – who received the least enthusiastic response from donors during a Sunday night forum of prospective candidates that also featured Rubio and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz – finished last in Luntz’s poll, the source told POLITICO.

The poll is by no means a definitive assessment of the feelings of the hundreds of wealthy business leaders who comprise the vaunted network created by billionaire industrialist brothers Charles and David Koch. But it does provide an early glimpse into the leanings of a pool of mega-donors who are being hotly courted by the field of would-be candidates, and whose checkbooks could go a long way towards determining who emerges with the GOP nomination – regardless of whether the Koch network decides to formally back a candidatehttp://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/koch-donors-marco-rubio-2016-114673.html

 

[Ronin Truth]

"Those who cast the votes, decide nothing. Those who count the votes, decide everything." -- Joseph Stalin

 

[LawnWake]

This can be played off as a positive: Rand Paul -- Outside of the pockets of Wall Street and with two feet firmly planted on Main Street. It can give him appeal with the average voter who is sick of cronyism. Now the trick is to do it without sending a negative message to big donors.

 

[NACBA]

This can be played off as a positive: Rand Paul -- Outside of the pockets of Wall Street and with two feet firmly planted on Main Street. It can give him appeal with the average voter who is sick of cronyism. Now the trick is to do it without sending a negative message to big donors.

Excellent Point +REP

 

[thequietkid10]

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul – who received the least enthusiastic response from donors during a Sunday night forum of prospective candidates that also featured Rubio and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz – finished last in Luntz’s poll, the source told POLITICO.

The poll is by no means a definitive assessment of the feelings of the hundreds of wealthy business leaders who comprise the vaunted network created by billionaire industrialist brothers Charles and David Koch. But it does provide an early glimpse into the leanings of a pool of mega-donors who are being hotly courted by the field of would-be candidates, and whose checkbooks could go a long way towards determining who emerges with the GOP nomination – regardless of whether the Koch network decides to formally back a candidate http://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/koch-donors-marco-rubio-2016-114673.html

I think he'll need to find a Silicon Valley benefactor, there is a natural alliance to be made with him and say Google. And I think he'll have a much stronger grass roots support then Rubio certainly, and Cruz as well.

 

[Brett85]

The Koch brothers might be libertarians and non interventionists, but I don't think their network of donors are.

 

[Ronin Truth]

And the damage control spin machine kicks into high gear, at full speed.

 

[mwkaufman]

According to Politico, Rubio came in first ahead of the four other would-be candidates, in the poll, which was conducted by GOP pollster Frank Luntz. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) came in last. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) was also an option in the poll. It's not clear from the Politico report which other two candidates were included.

This is what qualifies as news these days? Some reporter talked to Luntz who said Rubio is a winner and Paul is a loser. There were other people too. I mean if Luntz won't even tell you the full list of participants or vote counts how can you report it; you're just acting as his propaganda mouthpiece.

 

[tangent4ronpaul]

in Luntz’s poll

That tells you everything you need to know.

-t

 

[cajuncocoa]

This can be played off as a positive: Rand Paul -- Outside of the pockets of Wall Street and with two feet firmly planted on Main Street. It can give him appeal with the average voter who is sick of cronyism. Now the trick is to do it without sending a negative message to big donors.

Of course...you want to be sure Rand avoids the appearance of cronyism without actually pissing off those who will want to buy him. Makes perfect sense.

 

[acptulsa]

Of course...you want to be sure Rand avoids the appearance of cronyism without actually pissing off those who will want to buy him. Makes perfect sense.

Seems to, but of course it won't work. No, the only big donors who will be interested are the ones who don't mind competing on a level playing field. Fortunately, there are a few of them around. Unfortunately, they often reinvest their profits. Though a level playing field is worth some investment too.

 

[Ronin Truth]

This is what qualifies as news these days? Some reporter talked to Luntz who said Rubio is a winner and Paul is a loser. There were other people too. I mean if Luntz won't even tell you the full list of participants or vote counts how can you report it; you're just acting as his propaganda mouthpiece.

Dishonestly fabricate phony BS quotes much?

 

[Warlord]

It's going to be up to the grassroots to fund Rand Paul. We will hold moneybombs ensuring he is competitive and can buy ads in New Hampshire and Iowa. Then we ride to victory!

 

[Danke]

 

[MikeStanart]

The Koch's back whoever is the most likely to win. They typically back incumbents because of this. I saw this first-hand in the Kansas Senate Primary.

 

[specsaregood]

This a little disappointing even if not exactly surprising. His little "poll" would be more informative if he had done it before AND after the potential candidates spoke. I suspect the results might have been the same. I'm of the opinion that if Rubio gets into the race it will only be to provide cover for Jeb. In the end, all Randal needed to do at this event was convince a fair number of big money men that he is worth backing, not all or even the majority of them.

 

[Todd]

"Those who cast the votes, decide nothing. Those who count the votes, decide everything." -- Joseph Stalin

That being said, we made a really strong prescense in 2007 during the straw polls. I'm concerned we may not have the ability to repeat that.

But I do remember this: It is nothing new to do this;

 

[trey4sports]

Rand will have more than enough money to be competitive. It will come down to his ability articulate his ideas and win Indies and blue Republicans

 

[Anti Federalist]

It's going to be up to the grassroots to fund Rand Paul. We will hold moneybombs ensuring he is competitive and can buy ads in New Hampshire and Iowa. Then we ride to victory!

You had better hope Rand has few favors left to call in with Romney.

If Mittens runs, you can forget about winning NH.

 

[Krugminator2]

It's worth noting that Rubio has been at or near the top of the prediction markets for most of the last year all the while pundits and the conservative press has written him off. Markets are the best predictor and clearly some people have been betting on Rubio.

This can't be good for Rand. It probably isn't catastrophic but most (like 90%) of the money Freedom Partners spends is not contributed by the Koch's themselves. If Rand is the last choice of the contributors, it is hard to imagine the Charles Koch getting behind Rand when the people who make up his network really don't want Rand.