Just Outside the Polling Place, A GOP Circus (Monkey Included) [Ames, Iowa Straw Poll]

The washington Post ^ | August 12, 2007 | Michael D. Shear and Chris Cillizza

[2ndDivisionVet]

Republican presidential candidates transformed the campus of Iowa State University into a conservative carnival Saturday, competing for votes by offering free soda and barbecue and a promise of shade for the thousands who braved the 100-degree heat to attend this year's straw poll.

The activists came by the busload, more than 30,000 in all, for the first voting of the 2008 presidential campaign. But for many, casting ballots was an afterthought as they made their way past huge stages with live bands, inflatable bouncy rooms for the kids and fair-style booths touting one conservative cause after another.

The Iowa Right to Life Committee was there, as was the Iowa Christian Alliance, which urged "congressional action to secure our borders." There was the OstrichMobile, which offered lemonade and proclaimed that the "politicians' favorite position on Social Security" is with their heads in the sand. One of the biggest booths housed the National Rifle Association.

Former senator Fred D. Thompson (Tenn.), who is not yet an official candidate, had his "FredHeads" there, passing out fliers. And conservative Alan Keyes -- running for president as an independent -- had a booth.

Former Wisconsin governor Tommy G. Thompson, a member of the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame, rode from Des Moines to Ames with black-clad, bandana-wearing supporters in tow.

[2ndDivisionVet]

I love a drive-by media editorial disguised as an analysis piece. They just can't help themselves and their hate for all things conservative. If you're not on the democrat on the right or left coasts you're a racist, gun-totin', abortion clinic bombin', homophobic, Bible-beatin' nativist country bumpkin.

[kittymyrib]

LOL...the Washington Compost “reporters” have here exhibited enough cynicism to curdle milk. I’ll bet they’ve never covered a Democrat gathering or a gay pride event with this sour attitude.

[Old Sarge]

Can I say I hate these people?

[2ndDivisionVet]

That would be “hate speech”, which is a “hate crime” and would make FR a “hate site” or so I’ve heard... LOL

[torchthemummy]

And conservative Alan Keyes -- running for president as an independent -- had a booth.

Now that's a new one on me. Keyes is a good guy but....well...sorry Alan but it ain't happening.

[skinkinthegrass]

HA! HA!
...and the MSM, wonders why they've lost Americans respect.
ITS' YOUR POLITICAL BIAS, STUPID!.....Just report the facts and only the facts.
Honesty, Is "the Coin" of your profession.

[Old Sarge]

Wow, you used the word three times in a single post!

Is that a “hate trick”?

[counterpunch]

Former senator Fred D. Thompson (Tenn.), who is not yet an official candidate, had his "FredHeads" there, passing out fliers.

No he didn't. They were there on their own accord as independent grassroots activists.
They were probably the only people there who weren't being paid.

 

[George W. Bush]

And conservative Alan Keyes -- running for president as an independent -- had a booth.

Here we go. FR has its own candidate.

And I like Granny's monkey. At least it doesn't pretend to be anything but a monkey, unlike some of the critters at Ames today.

[George W. Bush]

If you're not on the democrat on the right or left coasts you're a racist, gun-totin', abortion clinic bombin', homophobic, Bible-beatin' nativist country bumpkin.

Well, yeah. What's yer point?

[EternalVigilance]

Alan Keyes is not even running as of right now.

And he certainly isn’t running as an independent. The ComPost writers demonstrate once again their propensity for making it up as they go along.

[TheLion]

The compost is a joke!

[freekitty]

No it cancels the crime out.

[WOSG]

“And conservative Alan Keyes — running for president as an independent — had a booth.”
“Now that’s a new one on me. Keyes is a good guy but....well...sorry Alan but it ain’t happening.”

Please God, someone tell me that Alan Keyes hasn’t gone Pat Buchanan/Bob Smith on us.

[WOSG]

“Alan Keyes is not even running as of right now.
And he certainly isn’t running as an independent. “

I am relieved to hear that, and from a source more reliable that ComPost on the matter. (See my previous comment).
He’s giving a speech on October I hope to attend.

[patriciaruth]

LOL!

[AmericanInTokyo]

I personally used to think he was rather dynamic.

But BOY is he ever repetitive and boring.

He needs new material. He needs to drop the same buzzwords he way overuses.

Cruel, but fair.

(I used to be a high school debate coach).

[stephenjohnbanker]

“Can I say I hate these people?”

Remember, it’s Sunday : )