Paul, Romney backers stacking straw poll deck

Politico ^ | 04/09/2010 | Ben Smith

[speciallybland]

The Southern Republican Leadership Conference Straw Poll doesn't carry a whole lot of weight, since it's skewed — like most of these things — by the makeup of the crowd, the intensity of Ron Paul's supporters and the ease of gaming the vote.

That doesn't mean, however, that the various camps aren't trying to game it. One of the organizers told me that two groups, Paul's Campaign for Liberty and Evangelicals for Mitt (which denies ties to Romney) have purchased blocks of tickets to the event, typically given to supporters.

[CAluvdubya]

Yeah but neither one of these yahoos can get tens of thousands of Americans to haul themselves out to the middle of the desert just to hear them speak.....Sarah can!

[Conservative Vermont Vet]

I am watching the speakers at this Southern Republican Leadership Conference for which someone kindly provided the CSPAN link (http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/292911-1) and man oh man, who is this Tony Perkins and why is he not in a higher leadership position within the Republican hierarchy, i.e., food chain, such as maybe, replacing Steele?

Until now I had never heard of this guy, but I am sure impressed and I would venture to suggest that anyone who listens to him will be likewise.

[TitansAFC]

“.....Evangelicals for Mitt (which denies ties to Romney).....”

EVERYONE who does dirty work for Mitt Romney denies any connection to him. Even those who worked with him in the last campaign or openly endorse him deny having ANY connection to him.

[SmokingJoe]

Listened to him earlier today, and was quite impressed too.
With so much talent out there, it's a shame we somehow ended up with the clown Michael Steele as RNC Chair.

[Captain Kirk]

Those who complain about “stacking” are poor losers who were out organized.

[9YearLurker]

But somehow this group is also giving out free autographed copies of Mitt’s book?

[McGruff]

People are too poll driven these days anyways.

[4rcane]

who cares really, sarah considered the underdog is a good position to be in. Let them underestimate her support

[maine-iac7]

Will someone please put these two losers out to pasture.

[PhiKapMom]

This is why CPAC polls in recent years are worthless as well! Straw polls are generally pretty worthless but CPAC and now this are even more so then most.

[Nosterrex]

Ron Paul and Mitt Romney do not have a snowball’s chance in Hades of being the next Republican candidate for POTUS. No Christian is going to vote for a Mormon, and a no Conservative is going to elect another RINO. The people are not going to legalize marijuana, meth, ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin, and the people are not going to adopt radical isolationism. In a national election, Mickey Mouse would get more votes than Paul. That is not a hyperbole. Romney and Paul are unelectable.

[truthfreedom]

Paul drew the largest crowds in 2008. Not like Palin’s numbers, or Obama’s numbers, but bigger than everyone else. In November 2007, in Philly, he drew 5,000. That wasn’t the largest one I don’t think.

And people are talking about how these candidates are gaming the system. Yeah, it’s true. But it’s always been true. Politico was happy with the outcome in the past, so they are just starting to mention it now.

And why doesn’t Palin try to game the system? If it isn’t a true measure of popularity, that’s fine. But it is a real measuring stick of something. And whatever it measures, it’s better to win than come in 3d. If Ron Paul wins, after
a CPAC win, it says something positive about Ron Paul. What would Palin have to do to win? Get 2,000 people to pay some money and vote for her?

Why isn’t there a Free Republic for Palin? Freepers who love Palin would travel there and meet, and have a great time socializing with other Freepers who love Palin, and they would help Palin win.

[CAluvdubya]

Why waste the money?

[marron]

Romney had one shot to be president, and he walked away from it. He’ll never get another.

He could have been sitting in the White House right now, had he had the grit to stand and beat McCain in a hard-fought race. But he didn’t, because he doesn’t. And that is why he will never be president.

[Allegra]

The Southern Republican Leadership Conference Straw Poll doesn't carry a whole lot of weight, since it's skewed — like most of these things — by the makeup of the crowd, the intensity of Ron Paul's supporters and the ease of gaming the vote.

Gee, what a surprise. The Paulies are going to spam another meaningless straw poll.

Watch for the Paulestinians to start wetting their pants in excitement as they see this as a sign that their little demigod is going to win the '12 nomination.

The Romneybots are just as bad.

[mnehring]

This is nothing new from these two camps.. however, it never translates to votes.

[onyx]

BTTT = your words speak the truth.

Her book sales are legitimate too.

[Diogenesis]

Romney cheating again. Is anyone surprised?

“Is This How Straw Polls are won? (Mitt folks buying votes?)
NEW ORLEANS -- I spoke to a young female delegate who said she planned to vote for
Romney in the poll. I asked her how she had ended up at the conference.
She said "Evangelicals for Mitt" had contacted her and offered to pay for her to have a
limited-access ticket -- so long as she agreed to vote for Romney in the straw poll.
Asked how "Evangelicals for Mitt" got her name, she said she didn't know. But she said
that she was on the email list for Romney, and speculated that the Romney team
had given out their email list. “

[SoCalPol]

The Neo Leftist PaulBots whose votes gave us Obama and his Left wing agenda.

The PaulBots love Obama because he hates Israel as much as the PaulBots do.

Now we get one more left wing on the supreme court.
The NeoLeftist PaulBots are cheering because they are
closer to legalizing marajuana.

Now do most see why the Neo Leftist PaulBots support Obama and will make sure he is reelected again.