Because they lack substance?
According to these “experts”, it’s about the HYPE...that’s what REALLY matters. /s
Counterpunch is talking about the process, while we are talking about the reality of the candidates themselves, i.e. actual accomplishments, issue positions, consistency, what have you.
The real crux lies between doing what is popular, and doing what is right. The latter is itself one of the tenets of American greatness, and vital to our continued prosperity and freedom. In that vein it is my contention that, if people remain faithful and steadfast, they can build the needed momentum. Hunter has already provided proof-of-concept, so to speak, of his ability to win even in straw polls (winning within the process) - when he has had time to campaign. He has placed national obligations like helping to kill that awful amnesty bill ahead of the campaign in this instance. I have no question that he knows what he's doing, and if he had higher expectations than what came of this poll, that his campaign will make the appropriate adjustments. Maybe he never intended to finish top two or three in Ames...
All indications are that Hunter has the right combination of political experience, record, military, and consistency throughout the years to stick with what promises to be a grueling campaign and, with our help, to rise to visibility before the American people who then have opportunity to provide a judgment of their own in the final court of arbitration in the democratic process.