Topic for people who are frustrated with Iowa

[Carl_S]

Thank you Dr. Paul for all your hard work and personal sacrifice these past months.

The fault lies with the campaign. They failed to develop concise statements that would communicate our position on each issue as clearly as possible.

They failed to provide Dr. Paul with professional coaching that would have developed the top-tier presentation skills and image that are required for this job.

They failed to produce and deploy top quality advertising.

They did not attempt to educate ignorant voters on the foundation of our platform -- the Constitution, the role of government, economic and monetary principles. Without this basic education, voters will not understand our viewpoint.

--end of vent--

 

[Blowback]

I think Ron will continue to improve, especially going into NH. If Ron was going to do poorly in a single state, it was Iowa. I was at the Iowa straw poll and you could just tell that it wasn't the most fertile ground but you couldn't put your finger on it.

Now my rant: WTF is wrong with people in Iowa.

 

[Sey.Naci]

What is wrong with you all? Its 1 state out of 50, a state that is very highly religious (which means gullible for Huck/Rom), and what really does Iowa offer? Corn? Failure state imo.

Do NOT be mad at the Campaign - If you saw Dr. Paul on CNN this morning he looked beat, like he hasn't had a good night sleep in a while.
Do NOT be mad at the Iowa Supporters - They busted their asses for the campaign, they need to be praised for their hard work not put down.

If you think that we're done after one state then I don't know what to tell you, go home and vote for Huck if you want to just give in. I say we use this to gauge our campaign and double our efforts, I'm disappointed we didn't take #1 (or even #3) but that has just motivated me to start converting more people around me.

Excellent post. Couldn't agree more.

 

[mathamagician]

Waaa I was hoping Ron Would get third and Romney would beat Huckabee. Instead Ron looks like he's in 5th and Huckabee is trouncing Romney. Oh well at least Clinton lost, however that means more Obama independents and fewer Ron Paul independents.

 

[slinkymaster]

does it really matter if we come in 3rd or 5th if the difference between those is 2-3%? i dont really think so. we didnt under perform which is more important. (omg chuck norris is shitting himself standing behind huckabee right now)

we'll be alright, iowa doesnt represent typical america. ghouliani did horrible, at least we did what we were supposed to. people quickly forget that we were polling in single digits for the last year practically and got double digits in our first primary, its not that bad of a start.

 

[Nash]

Assuming the totals hold us at 10% I'm a little concerned because that's exactly where they had us in the polls.

There was no anticipated independent or cell phone surge. I was expecting a few more percentage points out of that.

Did people with cell phones not vote or something? Were all the college students out of state? Voting for Obama?

What happened to the young people on the ground?

 

[voiceactivated]

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Don't give up!

 

[lvp1138]

I heard Switzerland is a nice place to live in...

 

[user]

I heard Switzerland is a nice place to live in...

This comes up a lot, but Switzerland is going downhill. There is no free country left in the world.

 

[Acheron]

Don't Give Up!

First of all, I want to say that I understand the anger of many of you out there, because I have some of the same feelings myself. That being said, it is important to keep in mind a few things:

1) Iowa is, and has always been, a conservative, religious state. While I am doubtful of Huckabee's true intentions, his message resonates with the Republican base in Iowa. He will not do as well in New Hampshire. Historically, New Hampshire is a bit of a maverick, and Ron Paul should do considerably better there. There are only five days to go until NH, and Dr. Paul has been spending considerable time and energy there.

2) While I am not especially surprised with Thompson's results (since he is arguably the most conservative candidate of the rest of the bunch), I am disgusted with the Iowa Republicans for giving McCain so much support. What part of amnesty for illegals, stringent limits on free speech with the McCain/Feingold bill, and tax increases supported by McCain is attractive to anyone who even pretends to be a Republican? I suspect the reason is that of Iraq; the opposition has been effective in painting Dr. Paul as a wimp. I know this is not the case, but I have heard many of his recent interviews and he has to do a better job of making the case in favor of peace and liberty.

3) I agree that his campaign has done a lousy job of getting out his message. While the content of his ads is sound, the production quality reminds me of something out of 1980. It is one thing to say that the mainstream media gives him short shrift (which they do), but it is quite another thing when Dr. Paul's campaign paints him in a poor light, due to laziness, mismanagement, or simple incompetence. I know there are talented individuals out there who know how to write a concise flyer, produce an attractive series of ads, and effectively marshall and maintain broad based support for this campaign. I would highly suggest that Dr. Paul take advantage of this experience before it is too late. Also, would it hurt to spend a few dollars? If campaigns are about one thing, it is momentum (positive or negative, incidentally). Even though I know Dr. Paul is a fiscal conservative, that does not mean he should not spend the funds necessary to carry his message to the greatest number of people! Ron Paul needs to place within the top three or four in NH to reinvigorate the campaign -- so get to work!

I know this post was a bit long, but I've been thinking quite a bit about this campaign, especially tonight.

 

[austin4paul]

Good lord people! Get a grip! This is one state filled with jesus freaks terrified of evil terrrists. There's no way the voters of Iowa (did you see all those old people?!?!) represent voters across the country. Don't give up the ship over this one state. Its far from over.

What he said. The people in MY meet-up group don't look like this (sorry to offend anyone if you're an overall-wearing old-guy Paulite, but I'm guessing not too many on this board.)

 

[joelfarm]

No, we are ALL wrong!!!

I don't doubt that there is some voter fraud going on, especially because the numbers are being typed in and then sent to some Israeli company to publish officially.

Don't you realize all the briliant thinkers who have told us there is no attempt to manipulate the vote, that there is also no attempt by the media to blackout the Ron Paul message, that there is no opposition at all to the desire to return to Constitutional principles. They tell us the American people (so far, Iowans, as patriotic as Anyone), do not acept his message.
To this I say HOGWASH!! 75% of the people I talk to about Dr. Pauls campaign claim to support his message. I contend that manipulation IS in fact occuring. Somehow, someway.

 

[Kade]

What we have learned:

The polls were right.

Supporters will attack whoever it was that won the "Democrat" side.

People will continue to maintain conspiracy theories for as long as they draw breath.

Supporters are ungrateful for the help and hardwork of the Iowa supporters.

Blame the Iowa RP supporters.

Ron Paul should dump his main campaign, as I've mentioned...oh about 4 months ago.

Christians ARE destroying this country. (Sorry 76`, I had to get that in.)




Someone said it perfectly in another thread: "Campaign screwed up trying to pander to republicans.
should have stood strong on the war and civil liberties.
bad mistake."

Exactly. You scared the 18-29 year olds. The independents and my age groups stormed to Obama. And you are STILL doing it... cut the bullshit theocracy, and stick with the message.

Cut the "terrorist nation" versus "Christian nation" bullshit. Iowa voters, the intelligent ones who avoided the republican party, avoided RP.



Cheer up buttercups, New Hampshire on the horizon. I hope you have your libertarian hats on... Cus, this theocratic crap isn't going to cut it there.

 

[pacelli]

I'm not going to vote for Huck but if it doesn't improve in NH then I'm saving my money and buying more gold and a passport because it may be getting close quitting time. The big problem is we didn't do better then we polled. That $20 million meant $hit. Didn't do a damn thing.

Wrong. That $20 million helped him beat Rudy tonight. That feud started long ago in the debates, and guess what, Dr. Paul won that battle.