Posted on 01/04/2008 5:08:49 PM PST by Josh Painter
CHEYENNE - Wyoming's early county conventions haven't generated the profile of Iowa's caucuses, but they have resulted in the state's first-ever serious look by presidential candidates.
"I've got to tell you, it's exciting," said Bill Cubin, Natrona County GOP chairman. "We really are making a difference here."
Candidates have reached out in a variety of ways. Most candidates have targeted state party members with e-mails, phone calls, direct mailing, personal visits and calls to local radio talk shows. Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson spent $10,000 each to acquire a list of the names and contact information for party members who will help select the national delegates. Romney set up a state office in Casper, Cubin said.
There have also been calls on behalf of candidates from national GOP figures - including Mary Matalin, a former counselor to Vice President Dick Cheney, who is supporting Thompson, the former U.S. senator from Tennessee.
"The response has been terrific," Matalin said by telephone Thursday, noting that state GOP members have been keenly interested in Thompson's stance on important national issues. "The thing about Wyoming people, they just like the straight talk. I'm not spinning anybody and not offering any pointers."
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No polling has been released on where the candidates stand in Wyoming, but some Republican committee members say a couple of candidates - Romney and Thompson - may be rising to the top.
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Candidates who haven't reached out much to Wyoming Republicans - such as Rudy Giuliani, John McCain or Mike Huckabee - haven't generated the same level of support, and may even have created some detractors.
"I take it a little bit personally that they are not approaching Wyoming, that they feel we are not players," Vosler said.
(Excerpt) Read more at billingsgazette.net ...
If Fred wins this, will this build him momentum?
I’m positive about Fred all the time.
I have actively posted on all things Fred since the earliest speculation of him entering the race.
I do happen to think he isn’t campaigning nearly to his potential, as opposed to someone like Mitt Romney who I think has reached the maximum amount of support he is capable of generating as a candidate. So naturally I want Fred to tap into his potential as a candidate. That’s what’s needed for him to become the nominee, rather than someone else who would be far less preferable.
It might help him a little in NH , but, not sure how much.
Fred will do well.
According to NRO, the vote is expected to be done by 3 PM local.
In any case some 980 predetermined convention goers will select the 12 delegates and 12 alternates . We’ll probably have indications thoughout the day as each convention completes if one could find them. The wygop website doesn’t provide a lot of daily data or so it seems to me.
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