Posted on 12/20/2011 6:23:02 AM PST by PSYCHO-FREEP
In spin rooms, bar rooms and online forums, the what-to-do-about-Paul conversation has become pervasive as polls show him at or near the top here just weeks before the January 3rd vote.
Paul poses an existential threat to the state’s cherished kick-off status, say these Republicans, because he has little chance to win the GOP nomination and would offer the best evidence yet that the caucuses reward candidates who are unrepresentative of the broader party.
“It would make the caucuses mostly irrelevant if not entirely irrelevant,” said Becky Beach, a longtime Iowa Republican who helped Presidents Bush 41 and Bush 43 here. “It would have a very damaging effect because I don’t think he could be elected president and both Iowa and national Republicans wouldn’t think he represents the will of voters.”
What especially worries Iowa Republican regulars is the possibility that Paul could win here on January 3rd with the help of Democrats and independents who change their registration to support the libertarian-leaning Texas congressman but then don’t support the GOP nominee next November.
“I don’t think any candidate perverting the process in that fashion helps [the caucuses] in any way,” said Iowa House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, adding that he didn’t know if that’s necessarily how Paul would win.
While there’s no evidence of an organized effort, public polling shows that Paul’s lead is built in large part with the support of non-Republicans – and few party veterans think such voters would stick with the GOP in November.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Gringrich is being dragged down by the weight of his own baggage, nothing else.
Not to mention all the Paul operatives who are swarming Iowa. When this is allowed to happen, not election will be fair and honest.
Not at all, it is people like you who are making it an issue. You would gladly forsake the future of your own country out of spite and bias for something you are completely ignorant about.
Anybody who panics the RINO Establishment can’t be all bad.
Iowa's anyway. Every cloud...
LOL! I love that graphic. But in all seriousness, this is no longer a laughing matter. This country is going down the tubes, and our own side is playing the biggest part in making that happen!
Ron Paul will win Iowa ... then be out of the race in a month.
Paul’s rise in polls is only that... a rise in polls.
His army of flying spam monkeys used this same tactic on his last failed run.
Not one word was said about the “RINO” establishment. It merely pointed out the dedicated conservatives who has been voting in Iowa for decades are being canceled out by the Paultards.
Much like you are doing in regards to destroying our chances of winning this election.
It doesn't even represent the voters in the state, much less the nation. Iowa can switch to a real primary or be left out.
Good points humble, I am somewhat perplexed over the situation. (What gave you the first hint?)
But in all truth, we have to win Iowa for Newt, mainly because he is short of funds and organization, due to those short funds. If Iowa goes to Paul, it won’t hurt Romney one bit, but the momentum for Newt in New Hampshire may be critical.
Straw Polls are garbage politics for sure, but the MSM takes them to manipulate their enemies (That be us.)
They are legitimizing these lies as big news. The same way they launched a completely incompetent candidate like Cain to the top over night. They seem to take great pride in the power they have over the ignorant American Public.
>> Anybody who panics the RINO Establishment can’t be all bad. >>
In general, I agree with that sentiment. But one has to properly apply that sentiment here.
First, the Iowans know that a Paul victory probably makes the Iowa Caucuses a joke forever. This is not the DC RINO establishment.
In fact, the DC Establishment is fine with that, because they think Newt will suffer more from this than Romney, who has NH to rally in the very next week.
So be careful which “establishment” you are talking about.
>> But in all seriousness, this is no longer a laughing matter. This country is going down the tubes, and our own side is playing the biggest part in making that happen! >>
And if on the way down, MB or RS suddenly surge in the polls - I”m sure they will handle the heat magnificently!! /sarc
This country is going down the tubes, and our own side is playing the biggest part in making that happen!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
No sh*t! We are pulling defeat out of the jaws of victory
The Rino establishment brought this on themselves. They hate Newt so much, thinking their attacks would help Romney, instead they’re getting Paul since nobody wants Romney. So goes the old saying, be careful what you wish for. It’s kind of funny in a pathetic sort of way.
>> I find it curious that the Iowegians are more worried about the reputation of their caucus system than its result. >>
Well, the two are related - but yes, Iowans are very arrogant about their special place in the process and extremely concerned about its reputation. Right now, they desperately need the Iowa winner to go on and at least win a nomination on the GOP side - because it so rarely happens.
And lets not forget, stuff like the Ames Straw Poll and other such events costs the candidates tons of cash - so the entire Iowa caucus thing is nothing but organized extortion of the process pouring zillions of dollars into Iowa every four years.
That’s the underreported story of the Iowa Caucuses.
That's just silly. Our process is no different than anywhere else. Party members go and vote for their top candidates in a caucus or primary; and convention delegates are selected as a result.
I would assume one could change their party affiliation anywhere; it's probably just a matter of how much time is needed.
Ron Paul, “You give me money, I’ll build the ZOOOO!”
Your contention is USED OATS. Caucuses are far more Thant “straw polls”. Comments. like yours are born of ignorance of the process. The farce in primaries is states that allow open primaries, which are far closer to straw polls than a caucus ever coul be.
It seem like few of us really get it. The rest are fixated of simple minded rhetoric and fail to see the real picture.
The DCE wants Romney and they know that Newt needs Iowa above all else, to get his national campaign established.
This election won't be fair and honest regardless of what Paul is doing. Mitt is buying the election, and the establishment and the media are helping him. The media also got Obama elected. It is pretty evident to me, that the electorate is behaving the same as they did in the last election. Dumb.
But they may be wrong about that. I think SC also has a bit of arrogance related to their place in the process - and they might knee jerk react in favor of Newt just to put Iowa down. I mean these early state voters are just like the media - they jealously guard their over wrought influence and it does impact how they vote.
You have that right!
If either of those two get it, consider the Nation lost. Obama will chew them up and spit them out. (Perry included)
One Billion dollars waiting to be spent on a campaign is the key.
Tell us how a candidate can “buy” a win the caucus?
And how is “buying” a win in Iowa different than “buying” a win anywhere else? Is ad spending buying a win??
"People like you" meaning people who still value personal integrity, and are unwilling to see the concept Newtered?
The process is no different? Everyone can just stop before or after work, vote and go home?
Sorry, a caucus is a joke. About equal to HS voting for prom king/queen.
Paul winning Iowa would deliver the nomination to Romney.
We feel our process is as good as any states; and honestly we are getting a bit tired of all the attacks on our state on our process here.
The problem isn't Iowa; the problem is the lack of enthusiasm for the candidates. And the resulting attempts of people trying to exploit that. Iowans didn't select the current candidates that are running.
Every state gets their say on the candidates. Our caucus is just one vote; there are 56 more states that get to select after Iowa.
(Thanks for nothing, Congress...)
I would categorize your comments as “insightful”. You may be correct about the outcome in SC. Perhaps, if Paul steals one in Iowa, (Which I still highly doubt.) Romney takes New Hampshire, (Small delegate advantage) then Newt takes SC, that leaves Florida the key state in the puzzle.
And Newt is very strong in Florida. The Paulistas can’t get over 4% there.
What it shows is that Iowa is irrelevant. The miniscule state of New Hampshire is also irrelevant. Both are essentially media events.
South Carolina and Florida will indicate the actual trend
FOX has jumped the shark on this one. Despite that pathetic unfair and unbalanced approach, Romney is still stuck on the low end of 20%.
I think yOu are saying that our little Republican voters in IA and NH are not to be trusted. In what state can they be trusted, I’d like to know? Is there no balm in Gilead?
Don't they pay for their transportation to/from the caucus? Parties before and after? What percentage of the population can vote in the caucus as opposed to a primary?
Don't they have to screw around several hours to vote in one? How many working 2nd shift can vote?
Nope, they are a joke.
In the Ames straw poll, all candidates except MB wanted Paul to win it so it would de-legitimize the entire thing. Paul finished second, barely behind MB, but since Paul did not win it allowed MB to gain some momentum from that.
Now her guardicil retarded moment ended all of that, but my point is this: a Paul win in Iowa makes the whole thing a joke and allows everyone a “second chance” to get off to a good start.
Since nobody cares about NH anyway this year due to Mitt’s support there, it means that SC is the real “first chance” and therefore Florida is the first BIG chance.
Just a theory of mine, not a “thus sayeth the Lord” pronouncement.
Your “Personal integrity” stigma is exactly why Socialism/Fascism is taking a death grip on this country. Ever try to trave on an airlines lately? It’s like 1940’s Germany all over again. (You vill show me your Papers!)
They are now talking about a TSA type facscist approach to all public events.
(In other words) You are quick to drop out of the process because your arrogant pride trumps all logic and duty.
Bachmann has said many rather stupid things, and is now known for “stretching” the facts. She is so damaged, Peewee Herman could out campaign her.
I have a different perspective on this, and that is that if Paul wins Iowa then maybe that will cause a decent Republican to enter the race. That way we will not be stuck with a loose canon and crook like Newt!
Paul could be doing the exact same thing in any other state. The location is irrelevant.
Be sure not to remove your brain first, before you post on this forum. It makes you look ignorant.
You’re wrong!!! Paul only does well in “Caucus-type” settings where many people work and have family obligations and can’t get out to a caucus at 7:30 at night for 3 hours, but, his supporters are bused in and become “Iowans” for a day. He gets beat like a drum in a real Primary.
Iowa is the only place where the Paul cult can function. The nature of the rules is why. Other states are not easily spammed or manipulated as is Iowa.
The Iowa experience has been that Paul underperforms at caucuses compared to his straw votes - and opinion poll - strength.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.