Posted on 06/23/2011 9:47:07 PM PDT by iowamark
At today’s Iowa Straw Poll land auction, participating campaigns were surprised by a mystery participant who would not state which campaign she was representing.
Kellie Paschke, a lobbyist whose clients include Iowans for Tax Relief, arrived at the scheduled Straw Poll auction intending to bid on a parcel of the Iowa State Center for an undisclosed candidate.
Before the meeting started, representatives of Michele Bachmann, Tim Pawlenty, and Rick Santorum were seen outside the building discussing the situation of the mystery bidder.
The representatives went inside and began the meeting, but a short time later, campaign representatives and party staff were seen outside the back door of the RPI headquarters, presumably discussing how to handle the situation.
All of these individuals then went back in the building, but soon came out yet again for more discussion. At this point all of the campaigns were ready to walk away from the auction. Pawlenty’s Iowa Campaign Manager, Erik Helland, then arrived to provide reinforcements for the Pawlenty staff already present. Eventually, everyone went inside again, and it was disclosed that Paschke was at the Straw Poll Auction to bid on a lot for Rep. Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan.
Before McCotter’s involvement was revealed, sources linked to Rick Perry confirmed to TIR that Paschke was not there on his behalf.
With all of these unusual happenings, it was unclear whether the auction would actually occur today. Eventually, bidding did take place. Here are the details TIR has been able to uncover so far.
-Ron Paul was the highest bidder for a lot for $31,000.00
-McCotter bought a lot for $18,000.00, he was the second highest bidder
-Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain where the next highest bidders, with each getting a lot for $17,000.00.
-Rick Santorum spent $15,000.00 for his lot.
-Pawlenty ended up spending $15,000.00 for a less desirable lot.
-Newt Gingrich was represented at the meeting but did not bid.
Union guy.
candidates buying land???? I don’t get this...
I wish that Newt Gingrich would quit right now, if only so that he would be remembered for past services rather than recent absurdities. His campaign is painful to watch.
He is a Conservative in MI. You need to pick and choose your battles in some of the more leftist states. By and large, he is a fairly solid Conservative. He has an 84 rating from the ACU which isn’t bad for his district.
The candidates (and other political and media groups) set up tents outside Hilton Coliseum in Ames. Candidates bid on the prime spots. It’s a political circus.
It’s a tough call sometimes. His district is 876 yards from me.
But his siding with union rats lately on fed projects leaves much to be desired.
One would note that redistricting here in MI left McCotter alone by and large.
What the hell are they talking about?
History is repeating. The Patriots of this country are looking for the next Teddy R. I believe that person is Sarah Palin. However there are many in the field now who our family will back so long as they stick to conservatism. The love of God Almighty and a free economy will begin to pull this country out of this depression within two years.
Iowa you bid on where you set up your booth as a candidate. It is not a poll in the sene of the word “poll”. It is a GOP fundraiser where you ALSO pay for votes. The media treats it as though it waa an actual poll, but it isn’t. It is really pretty meaningless except for the publicity the press gives you.
McCotter is one of the good guys.
It’s the biggest test of organization prior to the Iowa Caucus.
My take is that evidently the Santorum candidacy may be too conservative for McCotter, who is also Catholic. Otherwise, I don’t quite get it, because I never heard of him.
-Newt Gingrich was represented at the meeting but did not bid.
McCotter is a regular on the FoxNews late night show RedEye and also on Dennis Miller’s radio show. He is probably hoping to raise his national profile.
Wife and I have been aware of and following him for a couple of years. He is conservative and his dry humor is devastating in a debate, have seen him verbally disembowel an opponent with just a few words.
In Gingrich’s case, he may have been looking for a burial plot for his campaign. Too bad he couldn’t find one to his liking.
Paul sure has a lot of money coming in from somewhere. I wouldn't think his most visible base of college students, left-wing faculty and comic book store clerks could spring for all that much.
Even I, a 5th generation Texan, understand this.
McCotter/Coulter 2012!
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.