Posted on 06/23/2011 9:01:25 AM PDT by Al B.
Morning Score and Jonathan Martin report:
The Iowa Republican Party will start the countdown clock today for the Aug. 13 Ames straw poll, holding what is effectively a real estate auction among the presidential candidates for space at the event. The party has provided the 2012 campaigns with maps of the straw poll grounds, including the possible spots that candidates can occupy there. The cost of a spot is $15,000 – but not all spots are created equal, with some closer to the main entrance, and the bidding only increases from there.
Each campaign is allowed to send two representatives to Iowa GOP headquarters this afternoon for the auction. All the spots will be handed out by the end of the day and the campaigns will have until June 30 to pay up.Continue Reading
One question for the day: Does the Newt Gingrich camp show? Buying a spot ensures a candidate will be on the straw poll ballot, and representatives from the cash-strapped Gingrich campaign have been in touch with the state party to ensure they’re part of real estate-related conversations …
Seems like an Iowa GOP fundraising scam to me.
Ping!
>>>Seems like an Iowa GOP fundraising scam to me.
No scam. This event has always been billed as a party fundraiser - and thinking otherwise is naive.
It’s never been anything but a fundraiser. No false advertising here.
Crooked straw poll PING!
Pqlin will park her bus in the parking lot. and show the movie
Then it should not be calling itself a straw poll if it is only a fund raiser. The whole thing looks crooked as a dog’s hind leg.
Bet Romney is doing the same thing.
I’m going to invoke the Harkin barnyard epithet here... (that’s bullsh*t for those of you in Rio Linda...) this has ALWAYS BEEN A FUNDRAISER each and every time it has been held. Anyone that does not know this is willfully ignorant.
Thank the media. I honestly never understood why it was so hyped when everyone knows it is what it is. It gets way too much attention IMO.
Doesn’t matter if it has always been a fundraiser. It’s still not right since the votes are obvious bought and sold. Crooked to the core.
>>>Thank the media. I honestly never understood why it was so hyped when everyone knows it is what it is. It gets way too much attention IMO.
Entirely correct.
I guess I never paid that much attention to it, but I am now.
If the Iowa GOP wants to use this for fundraising, fair enough. But it shouldn’t be presented by the media as something representative. They will use it to drive their narrative and that’s the problem with it. Hopefully, GOP voters nationally will not fall for it.
>>>>It’s still not right since the votes are obvious bought and sold. Crooked to the core.
Again, Bullh*t.
It’s nothing more that what it was promised to be. Make a “donation” to the party - you can vote in the straw poll - exactly as advertised. You’re making way too much of this.
Personally, I hope she doesn’t get near this thing. It’s lose-lose either way. Votes are for hire.
>>>>But it shouldn’t be presented by the media as something representative.
Blame the media - not the Iowa Republican Party.
Trust me, alot of Iowa politicos aren’t that hot on it either for that reason. It allows people like Huck to buy an undeserved media splash and momentum going into the caucuses, because most people don’t realize that the votes are paid for.
If you don't see a problem in that Keith, then you are a part of the problem.
There is nothing nefarious going on here. I know what’s going on here - and so does anyone with a lick of sense. The only ones seeing problems are the ones that want to find them, and could never be placated... like you.
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