Vote 2012: Ron Paul Takes Lead in KCRG/Gazette/ISU Poll (Paul-28, Newt-25, Mitt-18, Perry - 11)

kcrg.com ^ | 12/20/2011 | James Lynch, Reporter

[TBBT]

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Just two weeks before Iowa’s first-in-the-nation precinct caucuses there’s a new leader, but the race remains “remarkably fluid,” according to a new Iowa State University/Gazette/KCRG poll likely Republican caucus-goers.

Texas Rep. Ron Paul has moved into first place – the fifth candidate to hold that spot since the mid-August Iowa GOP Straw Poll. The data collected between Dec. 8 and 18 suggest that unlike the previous frontrunners, Paul’s support is more solid.

Paul is the first choice of 27.5 percent of 333 likely caucus-goers among the 740 registered Republicans and 200 registered independents contacted by ISU. That’s up from 20.4 percent in an ISU/Gazette/KCRG poll in November. He’s followed closely by former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich whose support increased from 4.8 percent to 25.3 percent. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney came in at 17.5 percent, up from 16.3.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry is the only other candidate to poll in double digits at 11.2 percent – an increase from 7.9 percent a month earlier.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Much of the conservative problem is that too many conservatives rejected anybody who could actually get support. On the other hand, I hate the idea of Gingrich, so I guess I’m part of the problem.

[John D]

Ron Paul is the ONLY!!!!!! candidate who will actually LOWER federal spending. Ron Paul is the ONLY candidate who will adhere to a strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. Ron Paul is the ONLY candidate who will actually get rid of, totally eliminate, entire departments like the EPA, the Department of Education, etc. Ron Paul is the ONLY candidate who will appoint Justices to the US Supreme Court that have the same perspective on the US Constitution as Thomas Jefferson.

What makes you think he will do any of that?
What has he ever done in the past quarter century he has been in Washington?
That's right, he has blamed America for every problem in the world, and acquired as many earmarks as possible. Other than that he has done absolutely nothing.

[John D]

A sick man cannot take care of others.

Reason enough not to support the surrender monkey.

[Prokopton]

Why do we even HAVE Iowa? The state is like a Democrat precinct where vote fraud is sop.

Because the weak, effete, Republican elite do not want to have to run national primaries where the real will of the American Republicans could overcome there money and influence.

2008 = McCain.

2012 = Gingrich or Romney.

Election after election, the same "hold your nose and vote for X". Until the Republican party is taken over by conservatives, or a third, conservative party arises, voting by conservatives is an exercise in futility.

[Kinzua]

America committed resources to these conflicts without obvious success. Now the money is gone and we don’t have any more.

When one finds oneself in a hole on should stop digging. Do you believe we have the resources to continue our foreign adventures? Having the fortitude for it is only half the equation.

Reagan brought down the USSR by forcing them to over commit. Are we to be brought low in the same fashion?

[John D]

So you are saying if we just appease the terrorists more and more they will be nice to us. Appeasement does not work against thugs. How did the appeasement policies work for Nevile Chamberlain and England 60 some years ago?
Yes our national defense is expensive, but freedom does not come without a price. What did 9/11 cost? What did Pearl Harbor cost? Not just in dollars, but in lives.
Now I know your messiah thinks they were America's fault because we did not appease our enemies enough. Do you agree? Do you think appeasement is the answer to the terrorist threat?

[Kinzua]

No! I’m not saying that. I’m saying that if we intend to survive in this increasingly dangerous world, we need to fortify our position. Our position is weakened when we over extend and over commit. Adversaries will use this to their advantage.

We simply do not have the strength or resources to assert our influence everywhere.

It is not cowardice or appeasment, it is a responsible and reasonable opinion considering the tinder box that is the world.

[John D]

No! I’m not saying that

Your messiah is. His foreign policy is to blame America, appease, then blame America again. In all the time he has been in Washington he has done nothing but blame America and collect as many earmarks as possible.
If there is something, anything he has actually done to make America a better place please let me know.

[Kenny]

Bachmann is a Constitutional candidate, probably moreso than the others.

[Kinzua]

I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that Ron Paul is not my messiah. His high regard for the constitution is the highest tribute he could pay to America.

America’s best chance for survival is a return to Constitutional Government. Many folks are coming to realize that. No amount of name calling or hysterical hyperbole is going to work anymore. Folks realize the gravity of the situation.

I don’t envy your position. The current house of cards cannot stand much longer and I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes trying to prop it up. Good luck with that. Changes are afoot.

[Kinzua]

I could support Bachmann. As long as the candidate has an unwavering committment to Constitutional Governance, they could get my support.

Thank you for a thoughtful post and for not resorting to hysterics.

[John D]

I am still waiting for you or anybody else to tell me anything that Ron Paul has actually done to make America a better place. Complaining, making promises, and blaming America for every problem in the world does not make America better. I would just like to hear of one thing he has ever actually accomplished.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

Whatever.