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 ...
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.
I am amazed by the amount of support he has and some of them are very good people and not kooks.
Pay for transportation? I doubt it, as caucus sites are highly local on a neighborhood level.
Some of that might go on, but most people are traveling short distances. In my area 4 years ago I could have walked.
But I'm sure if someone supports a candidate; they would offer to drive others there; especially elderly folks. No different than getting people to the polls in November.
Now at the straw polls, yes that did on. Candidates bussed people in from all over the state, the straw poll was held at one location.
There are no parties on caucus night, again that was as straw poll thing where candidates spent a lot of money on that stuff.
The straw poll is a big outdoor party in August held on the campus of Iowa State. Buses, bands, food; weird looking political type people, etc.
It is big, flashy and sexy and the media loves it.
But the straw poll doesn't count for anything. It is only a fund raiser the party puts on. It is not an official vote in any way. Most people here in Iowa don't view it as serious thing anyway.
You are mixing together 2 totally separate things.
The caucuses are boring things. We print our own signs at home and pass the hat around to collect funds to pay for church or school rentals. It is not a big flashy thing at all.
There are probably some folks that cannot participate in the caucus due to work schedules. I haven't heard that as a major complaint before, but it would be factor for some.
Bottom line is the caucus are nothing like the straw polls. The straw poll doesn't count for anything. It is only a fund raiser the party puts on. It is not an official vote in any way. Most people here in Iowa don't view it as serious thing anyway.
Paul doing anything means squat. He never did, does not, nor ever will get close to any nomination. He is a total fruit loop, a reject, a polished turd.
him getting any respectful number of votes in IA reflects on IA voters, not on his imaginary ascendancy.
Do you think that there is any point at which the “establishment” will conclude that the “Ron Paul Movement” is a real paradigm shift in the country? How many states will he have to win to convince the “establishment”?
My answer is: No number of states won will convince the “establishment” because they are so presuppositionally committed to the idea that that “Ron Paul can’t win” that they will never come to any other conclusion. A conclusion can never rise higher than its presupposition.
I didn’t say the voters can’t be trusted. I said they are acting like they did in the last election, dumb. Dumb gave us Obama.
The Paulites in Iowa are playing within the rules, if you establishment types don't like the rules and are getting beat at your own game of politics then just change the rules before the next election. Don't whine because your scatterbrained candidate destroyed his own organization early on and hasn't found a way to rebuild it.
The MSM is flexing it's muscles in manipulating Public opinion. Which in itself is alarming, especially by the number of people buying into the lies and propaganda.
Many reports have counties in Iowa with more registered voters than voting age population.
From what I read the caucus voting takes an average of two hours. Not alot of people have that long to screw around voting.
Even open primaries aren't as much of a joke as a caucus.
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