Let The Games Begin: Straw Poll Candidates Announced

Glittarazzi ^ | July 23, 2011 | Kelly Ann Collins

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Who will be on the official ballot for the Iowa straw poll in Ames on Aug. 13?

Nine GOP candidates -- including three who will not participate in the festivities:

* Michele Bachmann (will have a tent at the event)
* Herman Cain (will have a tent at the event)
* Thaddeus McCotter (will have a tent at the event)
* Tim Pawlenty (will have a tent at the event)
* Ron Paul (will have a tent at the event)
* Rick Santorum (will have a tent at the event)
* Mitt Romney (will NOT have a tent at the event)
* Jon Huntsman (will NOT have a tent at the event)
* Newt Gingrich (will NOT have a tent at the event)

(Note: Renting tent space at the straw poll festivities guarantees a listing on the ballot.)

The Republican Party of Iowa's state central committee also decided today that they would exclude Rick Perry and Sarah Palin, Gary Johnson, Fred Karger and Buddy Roemer -- as well as GOPers Chris Christie and Rand Paul who've recently been urged by supporters to run.

Nothing like a little biatchassness to shake up the GOP.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

How nice for you.

Do you plan to picket?

[Keith in Iowa]

Are you getting paid to pimp Perry around here?

[EternalVigilance]

LOL...why would I picket a circus?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I guess this is why Bachmann's Ames team didn't want Perry included.

>>>>.....In an Ohio straw poll, held in fellow Midwestern battleground state on Friday, Romney took first place with 25 percent, followed by Pawlenty, who has been polling in the single digits on nationwide surveys. Perry won fourth place behind Bachmann with 14 percent as a write-in candidate in the Ohio straw poll.<<<< The Hill

[HereInTheHeartland]

EV is correct; it is a circus. I also live fairly close. I think everyone (especially the press) deludes their self as to the importance of the straw poll.
I guess it is really the first time people actually vote in some way as to their preference.
The media feeds it as they want to create a story. It is also a big fundraiser for the state R party.

I will probably go; but more to just to look at the spectacle.
I could care less who wins. It will have no affect on who I vote for in the caucus.
Palin is not on the ballot and she is not campaigning as of today.
But she is who I would vote for at this point if she decides to run.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Are you getting paid to pimp Perry around here?

No.

And I wasn't getting paid to "pimp" Steve Forbes or "pimp" Sarah Palin either.

What's your beef?

[EternalVigilance]

By the way. Thanks for the link. But in what way am I “spamming”? Just curious.

[EGPWS]

* Mitt Romney (will NOT have a tent at the event)
* Jon Huntsman (will NOT have a tent at the event)

Aren't liberal socialists allowed?

[Keith in Iowa]

If I go, it will be to watch the circus too...

And write-in EV’s real name as he is the only one who can save us from doom.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thank you for the rundown.

I really was speaking to EV’s habit of knocking Republicans.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

They did not rent a tent but they ARE included.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/59456.html

Perry already won one there earlier this week.

[EternalVigilance]

Here's some pics from the last go-round:

Now, tell me my description wasn't accurate.

[deport]

Let the straw pulling begin. Git it on................

2012 Republican Presidential Nomination

2008 GOP Race on July 22, 2007 | 2008 GOP Final RCP Average

Polling Data

Poll	Date	Romney	Bachmann	Palin	Perry	Giuliani	Paul	Cain	Gingrich	Pawlenty	Santorum	Spread
RCP Average	7/5 - 7/20	22.3	13.5	12.4	11.3	11.0	7.8	6.5	5.2	2.8	2.0	Romney +8.8
CNN/Opinion Research	7/18 - 7/20	16	12	13	14	13	8	6	4	3	2	Romney +2
FOX News	7/17 - 7/19	17	10	9	14	9	9	5	4	2	2	Romney +3
ABC News/Wash Post	7/14 - 7/17	26	13	16	8	--	7	7	4	2	2	Romney +10
NBC/WSJ	7/14 - 7/17	30	16	--	11	--	9	5	8	2	3	Romney +14
PPP (D)	7/15 - 7/17	20	16	12	11	--	9	10	6	5	--	Romney +4
Quinnipiac	7/5 - 7/11	25	14	12	10	--	5	6	5	3	1	Romney +11

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

Ames will still have trouble explaining this to maintain their credibility, “unannounced” or not.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

>>>>Members of the Republican State Committee disagreed, Henderson reported, on which candidates should be included. She wrote:

“Shaw and Republican National Committeeman Steve Scheffler said it was about keeping the Iowa “relevant” in the national debate.

David Chung moved to amend Shaw’s motion to remove the names of Rick Perry and Sarah Palin. He suggested the bar ought to be “you should be a candidate” for POTUS. Another committee member suggested those who want to support those candidates — or any other — can use the “write in” line on the ballot.

Wes Enos suggested it was an “integrity issue” for the party — smacking every other announced candidate who is playing by the FEC rules in the face and showing that Iowa really doesn’t matter. (Enos is not going to vote on this motion, however, because he’s working for Bachmann.)

Shaw replied it was about giving activists in the state who support an undeclared candidate a chance to participate. Enos asked if that was the standard, then why not add Chris Christie or Mark Rubio to the ballot — but Enos said that was venturing into ridiculous territory.

Lehman suggested candidates who have “exploratory” committees or are polling well nationally should be on the ballot. Scheffler said it’s clear that Perry “probably will” run, whereas Christie has said he won’t. “If we don’t include some of these names that are thinking about it, it diminishes the relevancy of our Straw Poll,” Scheffler said. “…I’ve seen Sarah Palin’s people all over this state.”<<<<<

http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2011/07/rick-perry-excluded-from-key-iowa-straw-poll-ballot/

[CitizenM]

I really like Palin, and I would support her if she runs. However, I don't think she will and I do not think she can win the WH for the Republicans. She now is so polarizing, and has had so much bad press...I know, much of which is just a bunch of Liberal lies. But, just the same, the GOP needs a really strong uniter who hasn't been so "victimized" by the media and even the GOP old gang. Yes, Palin has a huge following, and many strengths, but I don't think she would bring in enough votes from Independents or cross over Democrats who are displeased with Obama to take back the WH for us. I would like to see her in some important role, but just do not feel she would make it to POTUS and we would get stuck with Odumbo again.

I like Herman Cain a lot, also, but he seems to get little coverage and I don't think he has raised enough money to put up a good campaign fight. Cain would restore sanity, moral values, pride in our country...and would be an excellent role model as well as the problem solver he has been and could be. However, he has made some mistakes that might plague him...not that I disagree, but there are those who would make huge issues out of some of the things he has said.

All in all, however, I would like to see almost anyone but Romney get the nomination. JMHO

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

Go and write in Palin's name. There's nothing wrong with that. But for some campaigns it is a very big deal. Some will not live to see another day. This is more about the ones who do not meet expectations as those who win.

The caucus ballot may be entirely different from the straw poll ballot.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

Very wise logical comments.

[HereInTheHeartland]

Looks like a circus to me!
Kind of a fun circus if a person likes political stuff however!
These events always bring together really odd people; odd in kind of a fun way however.