Iowa GOP to auction Ames straw poll space

Politico ^ | June 23, 2011 | Alexander Burns

[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 …

[Al B.]

Blame the media - not the Iowa Republican Party.

I'm sure the Iowa GOP loves the media attention they get for this deal. Vicious cycle, if you ask me.

[cornfedcowboy]

The votes are paid for by the campaign BUT the campaign does not know who you actually vote for. The ballot remains secret. Yes it is a fundraiser and always has been. Doing well in the straw poll though shows which candidates can motivate a person to spend an entire day going to the event and show support. It is a better indicator of support than you may think.
I can guaran darn tee that a bunch of Ron Paul supporters will use tickets paid for by the Pawlenty campaign and then vote for Paul.

[Free Vulcan]

But that’s the problem. Ron Paul really has no support. Everyone knows that though, and they know how the oomPauloompas work.

But others like Huck and game the poll to give him momentum to the caucuses, even though in the end Huck had no real momentum. That’s why I don’t like the straw poll.

[cornfedcowboy]

If you have a human being spend an entire day in the middle of the summer in Ames Iowa to vote for you, then you have REAL support. I don’t care if you feed them steak and caviar while they are on the bus.

[alley cat]

If you have a human being spend an entire day in the middle of the summer in Ames Iowa to vote for you, then you have REAL support. I don’t care if you feed them steak and caviar while they are on the bus.

I live in Ames. You are soooo right! WICKED humid here in August!

[cornfedcowboy]

Yep, and it is usually during the State Fair.

[Free Vulcan]

It would seem that way, but the problem with a centrally held poll like that is that it lends itself to a great deal of skew.

Those in closest proximity are most likely going to show up. In this case that’s the largest population center, Des Moines/Ames. Other major population centers are a short drive and along the interstate.

It’s also going to skew to the college kids, who are far more willing to hop on the bus and spend a day at the state fair, paid. More so than a family spending their own gas to get there.

The caucuses are way more representative, because they are in each county. People don’t have to go all the way across the state and the college kids tend not to show up. Problem is you can rig the straw poll to give you a fake bump and make people think you have something when you don’t. That’s how Huck won the Iowa caucus.

Huck fizzled right after that.

[SoConPubbie]

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.

No, you are wrong.

The fact that it will be used by the media in a deceptive (As if it is an objective measure of public opinion) manner to shape public opinion means it should be pointed out loud and clear that it is completely biased and prone to complete distortion with respect to public opinion.

[Keith in Iowa]

BLAME THE MEDIA AND THE IDIOTS THAT LISTEN TO THEM.

[SoConPubbie]

BLAME THE MEDIA AND THE IDIOTS THAT LISTEN TO THEM.

No, how about as responsible conservatives and Republicans, the organization itself puts out a statement that accurate reflects the non-scientific and biased nature of the straw-poll?

[Keith in Iowa]

Only an idiot could believe the results of this event are a scientific poll. Nowhere is it portrayed as such.

[Keith in Iowa]

https://twitter.com/#!/whoradio/status/83962314751082497

@whoradio - WHO Radio

Michelle Bachman tells Iowa reporters she will participate in the GOP Straw Poll in Ames

[Al B.]

She will be the highest bidder at the auction today, too. Would bet money on it.

[Liberty Valance]

[cornfedcowboy]

It’s also going to skew to the college kids, who are far more willing to hop on the bus and spend a day at the state fair, paid. More so than a family spending their own gas to get there.

---

You have no idea what you are talking about. The Straw Poll is in Ames,Ia. The State Fair is in Des Moines,Ia. These locations are about 35 miles apart.
Would you rather spend an August Saturday at the Straw Poll or the State Fair? If you chose Straw Poll, then you must really have a dedication to the candidate.
Simply put, the Straw Poll is an unscientific fundraising event that gives credence to a candidates ability to organize and mobilize support. If you do well in the Straw Poll, you are probably a candidate with some relevance to the general electorate.

[LibLieSlayer]

This looks more like a gathering of political prostitutes than Patriots... selling your vote... kinda like selling your soul... I will NEVER look upon Iowa the same again. Pitiful. It should be the COP and not the GOP... CORRUPT OLD PARTY!

LLS

[LibLieSlayer]

That may be true but that is not the way that it has been sold for many years and I for one am shocked and ashamed that the gop does not promote it as a fundraiser... for that is ALL that it is.

LLS