Straw Poll = Meaningless

[Rangeley]

Its been said before, but there seems to be some confusion here over what to look at with these early results. The straw poll has no bearing on anything, and in the early phases Romney appears to be leading. Dont be discouraged that hes leading this, and dont be discouraged if in the end of the day he is leading this. What matters is the delegates that are elected in the caucuses, and from the early figures that are coming in from people on the ground, we are leading in delegates. The press doesnt report who is leading in delegates, because technically all delegates are officially all "uncommitted" and not bound to any candidate. But in actuality, of course, we can unofficially know who is leading in these delegates.

So for those of you that have yet to caucus, it is very important to run as a delegate, get other RP supporters to run as a delegate, and try and win as many delegate spots as possible. This is the aspect of the caucus that really matters, because its these delegates that will, in May, award the national delegates that go to the national convention.

It would be great if we win the straw poll, but this is ultimately meaningless. Hopefully this helps clear up things with people.

 

[ItsTime]

The straw polls are not completely meaningless. Yes it is THE DELEGATES that count, but those delegates need to show up to the straw poll to count

Or am I misunderstanding this?

And thanks again for all your hard work

 

[Rangeley]

When I say Straw Poll, I mean the presidential preference straw poll that occurs at the caucus, not the caucus itself. The Straw Poll is completely meaningless, it is a seperate process than the electing of delegates which also occurs at the caucus.

 

[RufusTDoofus]

And if the $25 fee to be a delegate is a hardship the RP campaign has offered to pay it on your behalf. The state convention is in the first week of May. I think it's in Augusta.

 

[ItsTime]

haha ok! man I think I may be starting to get how this works

I lived in maine for the first 22 years of my life and never went to a caucus.

When I say Straw Poll, I mean the presidential preference straw poll that occurs at the caucus, not the caucus itself. The Straw Poll is completely meaningless, it is a seperate process than the electing of delegates which also occurs at the caucus.

 

[Chaos Unlimited]

The key is to be your town chair, not just a delegate. Since my husband and I were the only two who showed up for our town I'm now chair - which means I can decide if we bring more delegates from our town (five open spots.) If we can find 5 like-minded people or drag five friends along, then we'll have 7 RP delegates instead of 2.

 

[ItsTime]

thank you so much!

The key is to be your town chair, not just a delegate. Since my husband and I were the only two who showed up for our town I'm now chair - which means I can decide if we bring more delegates from our town (five open spots.) If we can find 5 like-minded people or drag five friends along, then we'll have 7 RP delegates instead of 2.

 

[Rangeley]

The key is to be your town chair, not just a delegate. Since my husband and I were the only two who showed up for our town I'm now chair - which means I can decide if we bring more delegates from our town (five open spots.) If we can find 5 like-minded people or drag five friends along, then we'll have 7 RP delegates instead of 2.

Yes, that would would be the way to do it in the really small turnout areas. And even if there is a chair already, if there are unfilled spots you can get RP supporters to contact the chair to fill them just the same.

 

[ItsTime]

are you allowed to contact the campaign to have them help you find the rest of the delegates?

Yes, that would would be the way to do it in the really small turnout areas. And even if there is a chair already, if there are unfilled spots you can get RP supporters to contact the chair to fill them just the same.

 

[firebirdnation]

I understand the delegates are what matter, but the media will run with the straw poll results and use the straw poll to announce a winner of the state like they did in Nevada. We need Ron Paul to be announced as a winner of some states so voters don't feel as if they are wasting their votes by voting for Ron Paul.

 

[The00viper]

Straw Poll = Momentum

 

[Sarge]

Chaos,

Thank you for both of your efforts.

I would pop for some rope if that would help.

Is the weather still a factor, or do you think more will turn out as the weather warms?

 

[Chaos Unlimited]

the weather was a factor for inland maine morning caucuses. beyond that i'm sure it's no issue. caucuses are not an all day thing. ours was at 9, over before 10.

 

[Sarge]

Thank you,

Looking at the list, it does look like some run up until 7 tonight. Many start at 1, 2 and 4pm.

 

[RufusTDoofus]

Chaos

Is the weather still a factor, or do you think more will turn out as the weather warms?

I think it won't be the weather as much as the power situation. The power was knocked out in a huge area of central Maine last night. Ours went out at 6 am and was back on at 8 am. I called the power company at 6am to report our outage and the recording listed major outages stretching from Skowhegan to Waterville and south to Augusta. The recording was last updated at 2:30 am and I called at 6 am. At that time there was no estimate for when power might be available.

The skies are mostly clear at the moment and the main roads are in decent shape. Side roads are a little slushy. The winds are pretty crazy at the moment (gusts to 50 MPH) which I'm sure will hinder the crews working to restore power.

 

[N13]

What part does the MSM report on? We need positive media coverage for Tuesday.

 

[nate895]

Its been said before, but there seems to be some confusion here over what to look at with these early results. The straw poll has no bearing on anything, and in the early phases Romney appears to be leading. Dont be discouraged that hes leading this, and dont be discouraged if in the end of the day he is leading this. What matters is the delegates that are elected in the caucuses, and from the early figures that are coming in from people on the ground, we are leading in delegates. The press doesnt report who is leading in delegates, because technically all delegates are officially all "uncommitted" and not bound to any candidate. But in actuality, of course, we can unofficially know who is leading in these delegates.

So for those of you that have yet to caucus, it is very important to run as a delegate, get other RP supporters to run as a delegate, and try and win as many delegate spots as possible. This is the aspect of the caucus that really matters, because its these delegates that will, in May, award the national delegates that go to the national convention.

It would be great if we win the straw poll, but this is ultimately meaningless. Hopefully this helps clear up things with people.

You, my friend, don't know real strategy. You can get every single delegate in every single caucus state, and still lose because the idiots who vote in the primaries don't think you can win, so they vote for Romney or Huckabee. I'd rather win the straw poll by one vote than win the 18 measly delegates to the convention.

 

[Elijah]

crosslinking relevant thread - http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?p=1156601

 

[Sarge]

Good luck on getting the power back on and for the input on the weather.

50 mph gusts and ice don't go together well.

That might keep the numbers down on people showing up. I just hope our people make it there no matter what.

I salute all that are getting out there today.

 

[Elijah]

You, my friend, don't know real strategy. You can get every single delegate in every single caucus state, and still lose because the idiots who vote in the primaries don't think you can win, so they vote for Romney or Huckabee. I'd rather win the straw poll by one vote than win the 18 measly delegates to the convention.

The delegates decide the nomination not straw polls. This must be sarcasm.