Posted on 12/20/2011 6:23:02 AM PST by PSYCHO-FREEP
In spin rooms, bar rooms and online forums, the what-to-do-about-Paul conversation has become pervasive as polls show him at or near the top here just weeks before the January 3rd vote.
Paul poses an existential threat to the state’s cherished kick-off status, say these Republicans, because he has little chance to win the GOP nomination and would offer the best evidence yet that the caucuses reward candidates who are unrepresentative of the broader party.
“It would make the caucuses mostly irrelevant if not entirely irrelevant,” said Becky Beach, a longtime Iowa Republican who helped Presidents Bush 41 and Bush 43 here. “It would have a very damaging effect because I don’t think he could be elected president and both Iowa and national Republicans wouldn’t think he represents the will of voters.”
What especially worries Iowa Republican regulars is the possibility that Paul could win here on January 3rd with the help of Democrats and independents who change their registration to support the libertarian-leaning Texas congressman but then don’t support the GOP nominee next November.
“I don’t think any candidate perverting the process in that fashion helps [the caucuses] in any way,” said Iowa House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, adding that he didn’t know if that’s necessarily how Paul would win.
While there’s no evidence of an organized effort, public polling shows that Paul’s lead is built in large part with the support of non-Republicans – and few party veterans think such voters would stick with the GOP in November.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
The Rino establishment brought this on themselves. They hate Newt so much, thinking their attacks would help Romney, instead they’re getting Paul since nobody wants Romney. So goes the old saying, be careful what you wish for. It’s kind of funny in a pathetic sort of way.
>> I find it curious that the Iowegians are more worried about the reputation of their caucus system than its result. >>
Well, the two are related - but yes, Iowans are very arrogant about their special place in the process and extremely concerned about its reputation. Right now, they desperately need the Iowa winner to go on and at least win a nomination on the GOP side - because it so rarely happens.
And lets not forget, stuff like the Ames Straw Poll and other such events costs the candidates tons of cash - so the entire Iowa caucus thing is nothing but organized extortion of the process pouring zillions of dollars into Iowa every four years.
That’s the underreported story of the Iowa Caucuses.
That's just silly. Our process is no different than anywhere else. Party members go and vote for their top candidates in a caucus or primary; and convention delegates are selected as a result.
I would assume one could change their party affiliation anywhere; it's probably just a matter of how much time is needed.
Ron Paul, “You give me money, I’ll build the ZOOOO!”
Your contention is USED OATS. Caucuses are far more Thant “straw polls”. Comments. like yours are born of ignorance of the process. The farce in primaries is states that allow open primaries, which are far closer to straw polls than a caucus ever coul be.
It seem like few of us really get it. The rest are fixated of simple minded rhetoric and fail to see the real picture.
The DCE wants Romney and they know that Newt needs Iowa above all else, to get his national campaign established.
This election won't be fair and honest regardless of what Paul is doing. Mitt is buying the election, and the establishment and the media are helping him. The media also got Obama elected. It is pretty evident to me, that the electorate is behaving the same as they did in the last election. Dumb.
But they may be wrong about that. I think SC also has a bit of arrogance related to their place in the process - and they might knee jerk react in favor of Newt just to put Iowa down. I mean these early state voters are just like the media - they jealously guard their over wrought influence and it does impact how they vote.
You have that right!
If either of those two get it, consider the Nation lost. Obama will chew them up and spit them out. (Perry included)
One Billion dollars waiting to be spent on a campaign is the key.
Tell us how a candidate can “buy” a win the caucus?
And how is “buying” a win in Iowa different than “buying” a win anywhere else? Is ad spending buying a win??
"People like you" meaning people who still value personal integrity, and are unwilling to see the concept Newtered?
The process is no different? Everyone can just stop before or after work, vote and go home?
Sorry, a caucus is a joke. About equal to HS voting for prom king/queen.
Paul winning Iowa would deliver the nomination to Romney.
We feel our process is as good as any states; and honestly we are getting a bit tired of all the attacks on our state on our process here.
The problem isn't Iowa; the problem is the lack of enthusiasm for the candidates. And the resulting attempts of people trying to exploit that. Iowans didn't select the current candidates that are running.
Every state gets their say on the candidates. Our caucus is just one vote; there are 56 more states that get to select after Iowa.
(Thanks for nothing, Congress...)
I would categorize your comments as “insightful”. You may be correct about the outcome in SC. Perhaps, if Paul steals one in Iowa, (Which I still highly doubt.) Romney takes New Hampshire, (Small delegate advantage) then Newt takes SC, that leaves Florida the key state in the puzzle.
And Newt is very strong in Florida. The Paulistas can’t get over 4% there.
What it shows is that Iowa is irrelevant. The miniscule state of New Hampshire is also irrelevant. Both are essentially media events.
South Carolina and Florida will indicate the actual trend
FOX has jumped the shark on this one. Despite that pathetic unfair and unbalanced approach, Romney is still stuck on the low end of 20%.
I think yOu are saying that our little Republican voters in IA and NH are not to be trusted. In what state can they be trusted, I’d like to know? Is there no balm in Gilead?
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