They Like Mike (Iowa Straw Poll)

National Review Online ^ | August 12, 2007 | Byron York

[elhombrelibre]

It’s meaningful to see the balloons of his braggarts busted. It may, as one poster noted here, show a trend among activist who may work for the winners. But first of all it’s non-binding in the Iowa Caucus or anything else, so it’s not so big a deal that other contenders can skip it. If your perception is that Ron Paul's a big winner in this straw poll, consider this. He barely got over 10 votes per Iowa county. A there are a lot more than 10 people in each county. I still say he should hold out for California. Play up some of his more cranky ideas. They’ve a much more eccentric lot of people, and he could break out there in to the middle teens.

[elhombrelibre]

It’s meaningful to see the balloons of his braggarts busted. It may, as one poster noted here, show a trend among activist who may work for the winners. But first of all it’s non-binding in the Iowa Caucus or anything else, so it’s not so big a deal that other contenders can skip it. If your perception is that Ron Paul's a big winner in this straw poll, consider this. He barely got over 10 votes per Iowa county. A there are a lot more than 10 people in each county. I still say he should hold out for California. Play up some of his more cranky ideas. They’ve a much more eccentric lot of people, and he could break out there in to the middle teens.

[elhombrelibre]

Maybe you can change his slogan to 5th place isn’t just 5th place; it’s a groundswell.

[Petronski]

Indeed, 1305 might be the total number of L.Ron fans in all of Iowa.

[elhombrelibre]

I look forward to seeing him lose his House Seat. His Texas district will know a lot more about him by the time he drops out and runs as a Libertarian again.

[Captain Kirk]

For a guy who thinks this poll was “meaningless,” your sure obsessing over it. Why?

[elhombrelibre]

I’ve been hearing so much about the coming upset we were about to see and I find it somewhat odd that none of the pre-election gloaters are here today to say, “We were wrong.” I guess they’re content to trumpet 5th place as BIG MO.

[Captain Kirk]

Indeed, 1305 might be the total number of L.Ron fans in all of Iowa.

You're slipping now. You forgot the official anti-Paul line on this. That is, that Ron Paul couldn't possibily have that many backers in Iowa and that all the folks who voted for him must be internet phantoms or spammers. BTW, why are you so worried about Paul? If this showing was truly so terrible (beating Hunter and Thompson), just ignore him.

[Captain Kirk]

Is that you obsessing on a “meaningless” poll again?

[Petronski]

On the one hand, you use the Iowa results to make your case against Paul, thus contradicting your claim that the poll was “meaningless.” On the other, though he polled 10 percent, you percent in calling him a 1 percenter.

That's not inconsistent at all. Even in a venue so meaningless and contrived, where he has the freedom to manufacture whatever result he wants, he could only manage 1305 (quite possibly every supporter he has in all of Iowa).

Of course he's still a one percenter. Can you point to a scientific poll in which he performed better than that?

[elhombrelibre]

Nope, that’s me laughing out load at his cult members. “Fifth place; it’s not just fifth place; it’s a win.”

[Petronski]

BTW, why are you so worried about Paul?

I'm not worried, just amused at the fools who have fallen for him.

[JCEccles]

Oh that's right.

Huckabee won!!!!!! Huzzah!!!!!!

Romney lost. You have to know how to "read" the numbers. Or even if Romney won, it was a meaningless win.

[Captain Kirk]

quite possibly every supporter he has in all of Iowa

On what basis do you make the dubious "scientific" claim? My personal experience is that getting libertarians to show up anywhere, much less travel long distances, is like herding cats.

[JCEccles]

Only Romney lost. He lost resoundingly. Just ask the other 11 winners who got fewer votes.

[Captain Kirk]

Who’s your candidate by the way?

[elhombrelibre]

My laughter is considered “obsession” and yours is “worry.” You know if Ron Paul’s momentum keeps up he could come in fourth.

[Captain Kirk]

Again, who do you support?

[elhombrelibre]

I’ll make it easy for you. I’ll support the nominee of the Republican Party. Will you?

[elhombrelibre]

Yeah, getting the most votes doesn’t make you the winner; it’s having the most zealous followers that matters most. Now in the real world, that won’t work. But if you’re arguing with a Ron Paul supporter it’s all that matters.