Posted on 08/11/2007 6:31:35 PM PDT by Reaganesque
Just announced: Romney wins with a third of the vote. Huckabee comes in second.
We shall see … If Fred ever declares!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Kevin Madden (857) 288-6390
Ames, IA - Today, Governor Mitt Romney overwhelmingly won the Iowa Republican Straw Poll. With eleven names appearing on the conservative Straw Poll ballot, Governor Romney won with 31.5% percent (4,516 votes). With the announcement of today's results, Governor Romney issued the following statement:
"Today, the people of Iowa took the first step towards bringing change to Washington. This important victory sends a signal to grassroots Republican activists across the country that we are working hard to earn their support, and that we are ready to begin the work of strengthening our economy, our military and our families."
FAST FACTS About Governor Romney At The Iowa Republican Straw Poll:
- Total Number Of Votes: 4,516
- Percentage Of Vote: 31.5%
- Margin Of Victory: 13.4%
- Comparison To 1999 Results: 31.3% Bush Victory (10.5% Margin Of Victory)
- Comparison To 1995 Results: 24.36% Dole And Gramm Tied Victory
FAST FACTS About Governor Romney's Efforts In Iowa Since January 3, 2007:
- Number Of Iowa "Ask Mitt Anythings": 53
- Number Of Trips: 17
- Number Of Events: 310
- Number Of Days In State: 43
- Number Of Miles Traveled In State: 4,211.5
- Number Of Miles Traveled In The Mitt Mobile In Iowa: 4,684
Gov Mitt Romney won the 2007 Ames straw poll, receiving 4516 votes, or 31%.
In a surprise, Gov. Mike Huckabee finished second with 2587 votes at 18.1%
11. John Cox with 41 votes.
10. John McCain with 101 votes.
9. Duncan Hunter with 174 votes.
8. Rudy Giuliani with 183 votes.
7. Fred Thomson with 231 votes.
6. Tommy Thompson, 1,009 votes, 7.3%
5. Ron Paul with 1305 votes, and 9.1%
4. Tom Tancredo with 1961 votes, 13.7%.
3. Sen. Sam Brownback with 2192 votes and 15.3%
Iowa state auditor David Vaudt unofficially certified the results.
14,203 ballots were cast.
Ha ha! … missed your first response (#17).
Good thing he’s not on the ballot.
______________________
Tagg Romney reports from Iowa:
We are all at the straw poll together in Ames Iowa. Apart from the blistering heat, things are going well.
We have 96 relatives here from all around the country, and at least 250 volunteers who are all working hard manning the buses and directing people where to go. Everyone who comes on a Romney bus gets a yellow Romney t-shirt and as a result there is a massive sea of yellow all over the Iowa State campus. Everywhere you look there are people dressed in yellow. Its touching and exciting and we are anxious to see the results of the poll tonight. The road to the White House starts here in Ames today.
______________________
For the Romney Fans:
The road to the White House.....GO MITT!
Well he is pacing himself we will see if it pays off!
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney emerged victorious from the Iowa Straw Poll, as was expected, with 4,516 votes Saturday.
As many as 40,000 Republicans participated in the high-profile straw poll featuring barbecue, music, speeches and a chance to winnow the GOP's field of presidential candidates.
The results were delayed by more than an hour, which the Republican Party of Iowa blamed on "machine difficulties." At least one machine, about 1,500 votes, had to be counted by hand, and took far longer than party officials had expected.
"That's what they've been doing this whole time, but they clearly misjudged how long this would take," GOP spokeswoman Mary Tiffany said.
The situation may have added fuel to the fire of some Ron Paul supporters who had sought to block voting at the event because of the machines. They filed a federal lawsuit on the constitutionality of the voting process this week, and argued that the vote-counting machines, made by Diebold Election Systems, had fundamental weaknesses.
A federal judge in Des Moines refused to grant an injunction on Friday. The matter was appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, which on Saturday morning upheld the ruling.
The machines, the plaintiffs argued, are the same type that California's secretary of state placed rigorous security conditions on last week.
The grounds around Iowa State University's basketball arena took on a carnival atmosphere on the steamy day as candidates erected huge air-conditioned tents where they courted activists with food, prizes and plenty of rhetoric.
The National Rifle Association, anti-abortion groups and other organizations also were on hand to capture a slice of the spotlight.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback matched each other with neighboring tents and catered barbecue for supporters bused in from throughout the state. Romney was joined by his wife, Ann, and their five sons.
"We've come to recognized that this is the heartland," Ann Romney told a sea of supporters clad in yellow "Team Mitt" shirts. "We are doing this as a family."
Across the grounds, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee served fruit and joined his pickup band — Capitol Offense — for some rocking numbers on the hot, humid day.
"We're going to play again this afternoon whether you want us to or not," said Huckabee, gripping his bass guitar. "The Bible says those that endure to the end shall be saved. We'll see how many of you last until later this afternoon."
Mary Tiffany, spokesman for the state Republican Party, said about 40,000 people were expected at an event that could raise more than $1 million for the party. For their $35 ticket — and an ID proving they were Iowans — activists could cast a ballot throughout the day for their favorite presidential candidate.
Candidates consider the straw poll a vital chance to demonstrate support that could help them this winter when Iowans hold precinct caucuses, an event that leads off the presidential nominating process.
For some candidates, a poor showing could prompt them to drop out of the race.
Although candidates often covered ticket costs and delivered many supporters to Ames, some people said they remained undecided.
Jessica Taylor, of Waterloo, was looking for a candidate. She sported a shirt saying "Christian, American, heterosexual, pro-gun, conservative. Any questions?"
"We're still open," she said. "We're looking at Huckabee."
The scale of the spectacle was so immense — event organizers planned for the arrival of 375 buses — that even Iowa Democratic Chairman Scott Brennan decided to take a look. State Democrats don't hold anything similar, arguing the event is more about raising money than selecting candidates.
"They don't really mean anything," said Brennan. "But they put on quite a show."
Romney, who has spent months campaigning in Iowa and organizing for the straw poll, is expected to win.
"We're going to send a message to the entire nation," said Romney.
Big-name rivals John McCain and Rudy Giuliani opted to skip the event, but their names are on the ballot. Former Sen. Fred Thompson, a likely candidate who will make his first trip to Iowa in less than a week, also will be on the ballot.
McCain, campaigning in Milton, N.H., called the straw poll "a great way to raise money for the Iowa Republican Party" and said he doesn't criticized it.
"But I think I can do my campaign and me personally better by being here in New Hampshire, talking to people, having the town hall meetings, and responding to their questions and concerns," he said.
Voting security has been tight. Before voting, activists must show ID and tickets, both of which were scanned to ensure they hadn't been used before. Stealing a page from the Iraqis, those casting ballots dipped their thumbs in purplish indelible ink to make sure they couldn't vote again.
State auditor David Vaudt was overseeing the count.
"I think we have probably one of the most secure voting areas that anyone has," said Vaudt.
Go Willard. And keep on going... To France preferably...
He may be pacing himself, but he is driving me crazy!!!! If he isn’t going to run then tell us! My time could be better spent supporting a candidate that is running.
Its got to be hard on Fred I sure he wants too but having come out of cancer is no fun I had it and it took for ever for my energy to return!
Just think he has a crack at this an is dualing with which road to take.
I heard a rumor that he will anounce Sept 5 its only a few weeks away!
That's right. No magic in this. If ANY of the other candidates had done what Romney did, they would have won too.
But they didn't.
So why didn't they? If it's that easy, I mean.
The surge has started!!!
ROFLOL
Mitt & Ann Romney have shown how incredibly hard they are able and willing to work in Iowa. They are truly a class act and deserve all the credit in the world for their success! Heartfelt Congratulations Team Romney! Go Mitt!
Great news!
~”So, which one will lead the ticket?”~
My gut’s started to whisper to me, “Romney / Huckabee ‘08.”
>>>Go Willard. And keep on going... To France preferably...<<<
Actually, should Romney take the nomination, I have a feeling he might be spending some time in France with Sarkozy taking the reigns there.
The two have some serious immigration reform to do and have made it a top priority in their campaigns. On top of that, Romney is fluent in French....
We shall see...
~”The results were delayed by more than an hour, which the Republican Party of Iowa blamed on “machine difficulties.” At least one machine, about 1,500 votes, had to be counted by hand, and took far longer than party officials had expected.”~
Oh, dear. Does this mean the dems are gonna start complaining about voter fraud?
I would like to say to the gutless wonder or wonders who added “josephsmith”, “liberal” and “rhinogungrabber” to the thread keywords, grow up. Your candidate lost. Grow a pair and deal with it.
>>>I would like to say to the gutless wonder or wonders who added “josephsmith”, “liberal” and “rhinogungrabber” to the thread keywords...<<
I must add that I find this hilarious! :)
It’s kind of like drawing moustaches on that girl or guy who really gets on your last nerve in a yearbook, isn’t it?
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.