Can someone explain to me about these ‘straw poles’ and what kind of weight they carry as far as credibility? I’ve Been following politics all my adult life but never really understood the significance behind this.
Thanks in advance.
They are totally worthless, except that if you lose big, you might consider pulling out of the race. That’s all it means. People actually have to pay $30 to cast a vote. It’s just fun now, because we’re finally talking about who is going to replace Obama. Woo-hoo! It’s almost over!!!
They are something of test of the candidates’ organizing skills and early strength. It tends to weed out some of the weakest candidates and attracts talent and support to some of the stronger candidates.
It is actually a Republican Party fund raiser.
$30 fee for the opportunity to vote. Candidates pay for venue space, with size and prime location going to the highest bidder. Candidates pay transportation for out-of-town supporters and pay admission fees to sway the outcome.
The Ames (Iowa) Straw Poll is a reasonable indicator of early candidate campaign organizational strength and funding. It is not a good indicator of election outcome.
It’s a way for the state party to gauge the feelings of the voters. Nothing more. Voters have to pay to vote. So it adds $ to the party coffers as well. As for the candidates, it can be a way to gauge their acceptance, but with their egos it’s questionable the losers would heed the warning.