Friday, August 03, 2007
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Ron Paul's Insurgent Ames Strategy
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Posted by:
Matt Lewis at
9:05 AM
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... So it seems some Ron Paul supporters are considering having Mitt Romney pay for their transportation to the Ames, Iowa Straw Poll:
Mitt Romney plans to bribe Iowans to vote for him in the key Ames Straw Poll (flier below). He’ll pay all the expenses for an Iowan, feed them and transport them to and from the event in an effort to buy
their vote.
Some say if Mitt is willing to bus Iowan’s to Ames for the Straw Poll…they should take him up on his offer!
Some say Mitt Romney could pay for your $35 straw poll fee, transport you to and from the event, and buy you ‘Iowa’s Best B-B-Q.’
Some say that then, after carefully weighing their options…..they may decide to vote Ron Paul at the Ames Straw Poll!
If interested, you could call Mitt for the free package at 866.505.2008 (details on flier below).
My take: These Ron Paul guys are living off the land, and running an insurgent campaign that is reminiscent of guerilla warfare tactics used against a bigger and stronger opponent.
Is it unchivalrous? Perhaps. But it's hard for an under-funded candidate to play by the proper rules of campaign etiquette. Will it be effective? Time will tell...
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I am one Ron Paul Volunteer who wrote, printed, addressed, stamped and mailed, 100 letters to Iowans telling them why I am so committed to Ron Paul as my next President. All of this I did at my own expense.
I am sold on Ron Paul and think Iowan Republicans should be as well.
The Iowa Republicans who allow themselves to be bought and paid for, likely wouldn't make good Ron Paul supporters anyhow.
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Dear Ron Paul people, Matt is just using Dr. Paul as a foil so he can get a lot of Paul and Romney folks to comment.
He is doing this because he knows it will generate a lot of comments. However, his main purpose is to get as many freeloaders as possible to vote for anyone but Romney.
He is afraid that Romney and Paul will blow Rudy and Thompson out in the straw poll. By attributing the scheme to Paul he is hoping to hold down the Paul support and also hoping that everyone else will jump in and use the scheme.
It is just politics as usual. He wants to stir up trouble between Paul and Romney to help Rudy. |
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1) I am an ardent Ron Paul supporter.
2) I wouldn't even consider such a "strategy." It's rooted in a fundamental dishonesty of intent. "Let your yea be yea and your nay be nay." In wartime, I have no problem with "lies of Rahab," but all political and campaign metaphors aside, this isn't a war — and I dare say Dr. Paul Himself would agree.
3) But isn't it also dishonest for Matt Lewis to call this "Ron Paul's strategy" in the title, when his post tells us that it's actually something that's being done by unscrupulous Ron Paul supporters? |
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You have expressed yourself with the crassness so befitting the Jerry-Springer-libertarian mindset.
My point isn't about the perversions some unfortunately choose to engage in; instead, I expressed my concern about what the societal implications of same-sex marriage are for the rearing and teaching of children.
Some of the public schools are already trying to expose children to pornographic information about sodomy. Liberal educators everywhere are itching to subject children to homosexual indoctrination. Once the government sanctions same-sex marriage, there can no longer be any legitimate reason for public schools to exclude LGBT literature or to teach anything about marriage and family without including a discussion of same-sex marriage. No longer will schools be able to legitimately maintain traditions that are based on the assumption that people are attracted to the opposite sex. In fact, schools will be encouraging children and teens to take advantage of the new-found freedom of our society and to experiment with homosexuality. These are but a few examples of the mischief that we can expect from the public schools. There are implications beyond the schools as well, but I realize you have little interest in discussing the matter.
By the way, I certainly agree that other issues are of great importance, but I don't understand how this extremely timely and salient one can be ignored.
After my earlier dialogue with Liberty, I appreciate that he sees the seriousness of this matter, and I respect the fact that, after careful consideration, he feels it is in our best interest to address the matter at a state level.
You, however, seem to disregard it. You seem to have no concern for the wholesome upbringing of children. |
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Here we are now, back in Payton Place. Worried about who gives the "high hard one" to who.
All of the Ron Supporters I know do not care about this. It is smoke and fog used to obscure the real problems.
And they are,
1.) Our national role as a Policeman/Nanny to the world.
2.) Our fraudlent monetary system that finances that national role.
3.) Our unconstitutional taxations that finances part of the INTEREST on the debt generated by that national role.
4.) Our continued Soverngty as a nation.
WAKE UP YOU BAFFOONS.
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"But, regarding the talk of sabotaging Romney's Iowa efforts, I think the idea of signing a pledge knowing that one has no intention of keeping it is utterly shameful. Signatures of rogues sell pretty cheap."
Actually, what you said here was cheap. A cheap shot, that is. You seem to be implying that there is a big movement by Ron Paul supporters to sabotage Romney's efforts. LOL. Hardly. We're much too busy trying to promote our own candidate. We don't have the luxury of Mitt's personal fortune to buy off the Iowa Republican Party and bus in our own straw poll voters. We have to actually go out and do it the old-fashioned way. Spread Ron Paul's message of constitutional government and individual liberty and hope that the vast majority of them will be willing to drive themselves to the straw poll, pay for their own dinner and ante up the $35 for the straw poll.
Why does this whole thing about Mitt buying votes remind me of Boss Tweed?
I was glad to see that you disagreed with this practice.
"No matter how long the tradition has been around, I find the idea of paying voters--in any form for any election--unseemly at best. I wish Romney weren't doing it, and I wish the good people who support him weren't going along with it." |
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forsaw --> foresaw
I need to go to sleep now. ;-) |
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"He is naive if he thinks that liberal judges and attorneys aren't already plotting to impose court rulings that will force all states to recognize and sanction same-sex marriages."
He is far from naive. He is principled. He forsaw the problem you describe, that is why he co-sponsored the Marriage Protection Act (HR 3313).
"Mr. Speaker, as an original cosponsor of the Marriage Protection Act (HR 3313), I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill. HR 3313 ensures federal courts will not undermine any state laws regulating marriage by forcing a state to recognize same-sex marriage licenses issued in another state. The Marriage Protection Act thus ensures that the authority to regulate marriage remains with individual states and communities, as the drafters of the Constitution intended."
http://www.ronpaullibrary.org/document.php?id=593 |
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I owe you an apology. I snapped that reply off pretty fast, because I'm somewhat under the weather today, and quite frankly, a bit testy. Sorry.
I think you and I probably agree on issues of morality and marriage; however, I'm thinking that we disagree on where the decisions should be made and the laws passed. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but it seems like you think these issues should be handled at the federal level. I don't see them listed anywhere in the Constitution, so I do not. Nor, do I think it wise to amend the Constitution in these instances. We have allowed way too much power to be stripped from our state governments, unconstitutionally. I don't want to add to this situation by giving more control to the federal government to rule our lives. Again, we have gotten so used to thinking that the federal government rules all. Why? Our government was not designed to operate in this manner. The majority of powers were to remain with the States and the People.
Why not these matters?
Dr. Paul is very consistent in his statements, his speeches and his votes. Every once in a great while, I too will misunderstand, but when I check further, it makes sense. Of course, sometimes he gets in a hurry and doesn't explain it so well in hurried interviews either. ;-)
I still think you're having a hard time understanding how someone could personally believe an issue is right/wrong, but not believe it is their constitutional right to legislate it at the federal level. There are a lot of things Dr. Paul might vote one way as a citizen in Texas, but would vote NO on the same legislation in the House, because the bill is unconstitutional. His personal beliefs aren't the issue; the Constitution IS. I don't think you'll find a more principled man and honest man in Washington D.C., than Dr. Paul. I really do not. |
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Paul’s active service member donations get noticed
Do you agree with Ron Paul when he said it is “an outrage that we are accused of not supporting the troops” and called it a “scam when the warmongers claim to be pro-soldier.”?
THEHILL-Rep. Ron Paul (Texas), the anti-Iraq war candidate for the Republican presidential nomination and darling of the Internet, said his colleagues have taken notice that he has raised more money from active service members than any other GOP White House hopeful.
“Lots of military people turned out to be aware that our campaign got more donations from soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines than any other,” said Paul in a statement on his website. “Funny, that made a big impression in Congress too. Many of my colleagues were amazed and encouraged that you can be against this unconstitutional and disastrous war, and get military support.”
While campaign spokesman Jesse Benton did not name names, he said that “two southern Republicans” recently approached Paul. They noted that his success in getting money from members of the active military is “turning some heads.”
Paul said it is “an outrage that we are accused of not supporting the troops” and called it a “scam when the warmongers claim to be pro-soldier.”
READ MORE
http://controlcongress.com/uncategorized/paul%e2%80%99s-active-service-member-donations-get-noticed
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First of all, I don't see how you could say I have it "all wrong." Are you telling me that you think EVERYTHING I wrote is wrong? You don't agree with any of it? If so, I have given you credit for being more conservative than you really are.
I have corresponded with you before about the fact that I think the less that can be legislated at the federal level, the better. Further, I do respect the fact that Ron Paul is careful not to vote bills he deems unconstitutional, although I certainly don't think he has a monopoly on that.
I read the links you posted. Thanks for doing so. You are working hard for your campaign.
It appears to me that Ron Paul's statement in the Google interview I cited is inconsistent with his written comment that he would be willing to consider constitutional action if the federal judiciary tried to force states to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.
I like his written comment much better, of course. However, even if I am to take his written comment to be his actual position, I have a problem with it. He is naive if he thinks that liberal judges and attorneys aren't already plotting to impose court rulings that will force all states to recognize and sanction same-sex marriages. It will be too late to address the matter with a constitutional amendment once such rulings have been issued and the resultant marriages performed. |
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"I don't think the true believers in Ron Paul (like Liberty, for example) would stoop to doing that or to signing and violating a pledge, but I wouldn't be surprised about some of the Democrats who are changing affliation to Republican just to vote for Paul in the Primary then vote for the Deomcrat in the general election."
It's interesting. I've met people from all over the political spectrum who are supporting Ron Paul. I've never seen anything like it since Reagan won his first term. At first, to be honest with you, I was shocked. Because Ron Paul is by far the most conservative person on the ticket.
As you might expect, Ron Paul supporters disagree on a lot of things, but they all share a love of the Constitution, the rule of law, love of country and finally, not least of which, they trust Ron Paul. They respect that he has the guts to tell the truth to the American people and is consistent in his voting record, right down the line. There is no swishing and swashing around with Ron Paul. In fact, when a piece of legislation comes up, you know how he's going to vote, because he votes with the Constitution, every time.
So, if I were you, I'd stop believing that Democrats and other parties are joining the Republican Party JUST for the primary and plan to switch back to vote for someone else in the general election. Dr. Paul's support is real, it's passionate and we're here to stay.
I respect your decision to support Duncan Hunter. If at some point in the future, he drops out of the race, I hope you will take the time to take a deeper look at Dr. Paul.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p774eENRP_4
“...in his heart and in his head, in his character and in his intellect, in what he has done and in what he will become, the Thomas Jefferson of our day, Ron Paul is one of us!" --Judge Andrew Napolitano
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8QwTKKSvR8
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Let's get down to it. It seems to me that the biggest gripe you have against Ron Paul is that he actually adheres to his oath of office to abide by the Constitution. Because that is what most of the comments here are about. Do you honestly believe that our federal government is operating within its Constitutional bounds? Seriously. What about all the legislation that is being passed by our Congress? Do you honestly believe that more than a fraction of this is constitutionally supposed to be handled at the federal level? Are you not glad that at least ONE Republican has the gonads to stand up and say NO, it is not Constitutional?!
I've been on TownHall for awhile and I hear all kinds of moaning and groaning about state's rights, following the Founders' intent, small government, less taxes, etc.
But now, when you have a man, no a Statesman, standing in front of you who has stood for years for every one of those things, you take pot shots at him. Why? What are you scared of? Have we become so accustomed to a nanny state that we are afraid to return a great deal of what the federal government is doing to the states and be more responsible for our own lives?
This man is 100% constitutional. State's rights. 100% rating by Gun Owners' of America. Turned down his Congressional pension. Never taken a taxpayer-funded junket. Never voted for an unbalanced budget. Never voted to raise taxes. Was 1 of only 4 House members who broke ranks with the Republican Party and supported Reagan over Ford.
What the hell do you want, people? What are you waiting for?
Do you want to save our country or not?
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Ron Paul for President '08 -- "HOPE FOR AMERICA"
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/
http://www.ronpaullibrary.org/index.php
http://www.ronpaulaudio.com/
http://www.ronpaulnation.com/tv.html
http://gunowners.org/pres08/paul.htm
Books by Ron Paul: http://www.ronpaullibrary.org/books.php
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Once again, you have it all wrong. Why is it that you believe that everything must be legislated at the federal level? Do you not believe in state's rights?
Here's something else you don't seem to understand. Dr. Paul is a constitutionalist, so if a proposed law is not in the Constitution, he votes NO. Whether he personally agrees or disagrees with the legislation is of little importance. All it means is that it's not in the Constitution, so it shouldn't be legislated at the federal level.
Now, let's take a look at the gay marriage issue. Instead of putting your spin on it, let's look at a couple of speeches he gave on just this issue.
"Cultural Conservatives Lose if Gay Marriage is Federalized"
http://www.ronpaullibrary.org/document.php?id=590
and
"Protecting Marriage from Judicial Tyranny"
http://www.ronpaullibrary.org/document.php?id=593 |
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Has anyone ever noticed the sharp whiff of paranoia whenever a Ron Paul post is made? Perhaps he is the greatest political mind of all time but you sure wouldn't know it by the folks who support him.
I particularly liked the fellow above who threw suspicion on every opinion poll conducted by large media organizations but thinks that website votes are indicative of RP's true position in the race. |
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George and Warren,
The libertarians whose lives are driven by their own comforts and desires for unfettered freedom to indulge themselves need to grow up, wise up and realize that the most important job we have in this life is to properly rear and protect our children.
The War in Iraq is a temporary situation which can and will soon be changed. By contrast, the struggle over the definition of marriage and the implications of that are far-reaching. Once government (state or federal) distorts the meaning of marriage and corrupts the related laws and policies, it will never be able to undo the damage.
Our civilization's concept of gender, of marriage, and of family is no "sideshow" as Warren puts it; instead, it is the very heart of civilization. It is more important than any other political issue.
The more the sodomist way of life is normalized, accepted and sanctioned by this society, the more it is going to be considered healthy material to be discussed with children in public schools--beginning in the earliest grades.
Children are maleable and susceptible to programming, whether it is wholesome or perverted programming. Generations of children indoctrinated with the LGBT agenda will grow up to be confused, sexually disoriented, sexually obsessed hedonists.
Once this society takes that road, there will be no turning back. Once America makes a complete transformation into the modern day Sodom and Gommorah, it won't be worth defending against enemies foreign and domestic.
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ARG has released a poll for CA. Romney is 2nd ahead of Thompson. Please note that ARG is not a Romney friendly poll as a general rule. Further, they gave a break down of the Reg Rep voters and Independent voters who claimed to be likely voters in the Rep Primary.
The Reps in CA only allow Registered Rep voters to vote as I recall (correct me if I am wrong).
Of likely Rep voters it was Rudy 32, Romney 17, Thompson 15, McCain 7 (behind Gingrich). Of Independents it was Rudy 25, Romney 21, Thompson 26, and McCain 6.
With Reps and Ind combined (what will get reported in the MSM) it was Rudy 30, Romney 18, Thompson 18, and McCain 7.
Several things to note.
1. This is a tremendous surge for Romney and indicates he will probably get delegates in selected Congressional districts. CA just became a serious target for Romney. He can compete well on Super T and the ad wars should help him.
2. Romney may be gathering momentum. That is also indicated in the national RAS tracking poll.
3.Including Independents who are not likely to Register as Republicans over states Thompson's numbers at least in CA. In this case ARG is Thompson friendly. Usually it is McCain and Rudy friendly.
4. McCain is in single digits which is confirmed by the national RAS tracking poll.
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A Paul Revolution as a new Reagan Revolution? That's wishful thinking.
The Reagan Republicans and Reagan Democrats will not support a guy who is cavalier about the devastating societal effects that will result from state-sanctioned gay marriage.
As Ron Paul gets more media exposure--and it appears at this point he will--this issue is going to be brought out into the open. You will see that conservatives and moderates generally are wise enough to realize that they can't allow their children to be polluted by homosexual indoctrination in schools and in other aspects of society.
You will also see the inconsistency of the Ron Paul supporters as they express approval for same-sex marriage (since Ron Paul is "in favor of all voluntary associations") but disapproval of other "voluntary associations" such as polygamy, adult-to-adult incest, communal marriage, and so on. |
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I can't type proficiently.
"thay" was supposed to be "that they" |
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It is interesting that no Ron Paul supporter has said thay are troubled by Ron Paul's favorable comment toward gay marriage.
Blind allegiance. BLIND! |
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If you're going to rip off the Romney campaign in Iowa, you probably won't stop there.
ROMNEY
FOR PRESIDENT
bumper stickers, yard signs and other signage could also easily be trimmed down to say
RO_N__
FOR PRESIDENT
I don't think the true believers in Ron Paul (like Liberty, for example) would stoop to doing that or to signing and violating a pledge, but I wouldn't be surprised about some of the Democrats who are changing affliation to Republican just to vote for Paul in the Primary then vote for the Deomcrat in the general election.
(Such would be an interesting reversal, though, since Romney once voted for Paul Tsongas in the primary, only to switch and vote for George H.W. Bush in the general election.)
No matter how long the tradition has been around, I find the idea of paying voters--in any form for any election--unseemly at best. I wish Romney weren't doing it, and I wish the good people who support him weren't going along with it.
But, regarding the talk of sabotaging Romney's Iowa efforts, I think the idea of signing a pledge knowing that one has no intention of keeping it is utterly shameful. Signatures of rogues sell pretty cheap.
I'm patiently hanging in here, donating money, informing family, friends and associates, posting my signs and bumper stickers, hoping, praying, and believing that when most people get serious and start paying attention to the campaigns, that my choice of candidate, DUNCAN HUNTER, will get some traction in the race.
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IT APPEARS THAT THE REAGAN REVOLUTION IS NOW THE RON PAUL REVOLUTION! |
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to convince the American Public that "There has been no attacks since 911 because the Bush Administration and Chertoff are so efficiant!"...........Ha-Ha.........Ha-Ha......5000 cucumber pickers a day, dragging babies with them can cross the border, but a highly trained international terrorist can't get in?........Ha-Ha..........And some RINO LIBERAL that told "Catholic Services" to place an orphan child in GAY HOMES or go out of business"(See MASSRESISTANCE.ORG)is worried about the Ron Paul supporters?................Welcome to reality! |
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I wouldn't take any of Romney's money, nor would any Ron Paul supporters I know. To Mitt's credit, he seems like a dynamic business man who has obviously seen success in the private sector. And, I would argue, he should donate his money to worthy cause, and STAY in the private sector.
To the contrary, I know a few people who are volunteering to drive from Georgia (on their own dime) just to help get Ron Paul supporters to Ames.
Now Benito Giuliani's money?...that might be different. ;^)
Peace be with you. |
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I don't really care. It just seems dishonest to me. I personally wouldn't do it because I feel as though I was stealing. That money was given to Mitt by people who support and believe in his message. to take that knowing I wasn't going to vote for him seems dishonest or at the least low.
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Heck these NeoCons have even had 6 years to try and get Bin Laden, yet they still can't do it. There more concerned about Iraqis and their resources than even securing America.
Maybe they should be labelled the Neo-Liberal Republican'ts. or the Republicouldn'ts.
If they only had a brain. |
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NeoCons will use fear and terror to try to mold your mind,before the election, it's really the only thing they got to offer.
Guess what I'm not scared.
If there is another 9/11 type attack on American soil, I will be blaming the Congress and White House for being so stupid as to let it happen again.
NeoCon fear-monger on Iraq War...
"You better let us continue to not go after Bin laden in Iraq or they will attack us here, just cause we made a mistake with inteligence in Iraq, and bin laden is not in Iraq doesn't mean we should leave from policing Iraq."
The Jihadist will murder us all, run for your life's there everywhere.
What a bunch of hyped-up BS.
Yep makes perfect sense to a NeoCon.
Hey NeoFrauds, Where is bin Laden? |
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I have to ask, are people really this stupid?
After having it explained ad nauseum that the straw poll is a fund raiser for the Republican Party you still have idiots ranting about violating Iowa law and buying votes.
Then we have the "paulists" driving people in droves away from Ron Paul. |
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Well, fonz, if this straw poll is just an exercise to see how much money a candidate is willing to spend to buy votes, we could have made this whole process much simpler and saved people a lot of time.
We could have just held a simple raffle with all proceeds going to the Iowa GOP. Each candidate could ante up what they were willing to fork out to buy the "win" and be done with it.
This would have been simpler and much more honest. What's the difference between that and what Romney is doing right now? |
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A straw poll is not a federal, state or local election as defined by the law. They are not even "scientific" polls since they do not use random sampling.
As several other posters have noted, this poll is actually a fund raiser for the State Party. So State and federal laws about giving people goods or services for their support do not apply.
Poll taxes are also illegal. If these laws applied the Iowa GOP could not charge people $30 a piece to vote.
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According to the venerable New York Times:
"Nevertheless, seeing few other viable options, Mr. Romney has chosen to charge ahead with the traditional roadmap to the nomination, though he has made some adjustments.
"For the straw poll — in which campaigns buy tickets for busloads of people to come spend the day and cast their votes — his organization has scaled back its budget..."
Note the phrases, "traditional roadmap to the nomination," "straw poll--in which campaigns buy tickets for busloads of people to come spend the day and cast their votes." Sure sounds like bribery to me....Is this legal?
Now, please contrast Ron Paul's GRASSROOTS Adopt-an-Iowan website:
The purpose of this effort is to collect funds and buy tickets for people in Iowa who want to go to the straw poll, but do not have the funds to pay for the $35.00 ticket. You can find information regarding the Iowa Straw Poll here.
Big money campaigns will gladly court voters for the straw poll by lavishing expensive meals, providing transportation, and paying for all tickets.
The Ron Paul 2008 campaign will not participate in such activities, however, this real grassroots effort is underway to help give Ron Paul supporters in Iowa a voice at the Straw Poll. nk you!
***This grassroots effort has not been authorized by the Ron Paul 2008 National Campaign.
Now, do you see the difference between the campaigns? Romney follows the old bought-and-paid-for routine, while Ron Paul actually has GRASSROOTS SUPPORTERS WILLING TO VOLUNTEER to carpool and donate their own money. In other words, Ron Paul supporters don't NEED Romney's tainted bribe money.
Does anyone think the media will report that Ron Paul's GRASSROOTS SUPPORT provided the funds to get his straw poll voters to Ames? Nah, that would be too much of a good story, and certainly would not promote their non-stop slanderous reporting of Dr. Paul.
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Mitt Romney. Isn't he the guy who offers a 10% commission to any college student who will raise money for his campaign?
This guy is a scream. "I'm definitely for a woman's right to choose." "Well, I used to be, but it was explained to me in further detail so tha I've finally seen the light on this issue [just in time to run for president]."
Yeah, so now he decides to lend his campaign 10 or so million so he can flood Iowa with his BS used car salesman schtick, "Double Guantanamo", "Use of torture on Americans is AOK", Nukes against any 3rd world country who opposes Exxon is ON the table", I'm for...er, ah..against abortion" .
Vote Ron Paul. If the friggin' devil gives you the Straw Poll ticket, so be it.
Tune in to ABC Sunday morning and see for yourselves who the real candidate is, notwithstanding little Georgie Stepsincrapalot.
Townhall.com. "WHERE YOUR OPINION COUNTS" |
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Hi Trojan140,
And the only polls that Ron Paul does not win by a LANDSLIDE are the one's controlled by the Main Stream Media outlets. Which in turn are owned by huge corporate interests.
Here is some interesting reading for you.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concentration_of_media_ownership
"Those who cast the votes decide nothing.
Those who count the votes decide everything."
Josef Stalin. |
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"Pledge
You would also have to lie on the pledge that you signed. Maybe that would not bother the "Strict "Constuctionists" who support Paul."
I agree with you that no one should do this and I sincerely hope they do not. It doesn't matter whether or not this is a legally-binding agreement. If someone signs this, they are giving their word and that should be all that is necessary. I am confident that Dr. Paul would take a dim view of anyone participating in this and I sincerely doubt many Ron Paul supporters would.
That said, I would like to know exactly what is on this "pledge" you speak of, BG. Is Mr. Romney actually offering rides, meals, etc. in turn for a person's vote? Perhaps you could fill us in.
It was recently reported that Mitt was being rather generous with his money in Iowa.
""Romney is distributing numerous payments, primarily to religious and social conservatives, most of them in Iowa, for what he calls 'GOTV consulting.'"
GOTV stands for Get Out the Vote and, as the article notes, funds for this used to be called "walking-around money." In other words, it's the cash that you hand out to people. And the sums are pretty impressive."
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0707/5168.html
Is he trying to buy the Iowa Straw poll? If so, what credibility does he or the straw poll have?
Mitt will have to change his ways before the general election, or learn to hide it much better, because buying votes is against the law.
"39A.2 Election misconduct in the first degree.
d. Bribery.
(1) Pays, offers to pay, or causes to be paid money or any other thing of value to a person to influence the person's vote."
http://www.legis.state.ia.us/IACODE/2003/39A/2.html
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Can some one link to a scientific poll that has Ron Paul leading? The answer is no. The only "polls" that have Ron Paul leading are the ones where people go to a website and vote. For a poll to be accurate it has to have a random sample. Ron Paul polls where he does because that approximately how much support he has. There is no conspiracy to shut Ron Paul up. Ron Paul supporters sound like members of a cult. |
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This sort of reporting has become classic. Ron paul is pretty much untouchable as far as digging up dirt on him.
So what does the media and opposition do? Make sweeping statments that are opinion, not fact based, and find a handful of Paul supporters who are easy to bash to bring the good name of Paul down.
That's not fair to Ron Paul who works so hard to protect all of our freedoms, liberties and wallets under his oath to serve us under the Constitution.
Whre are the reports of Paul supporters, living pay check to pay check, hosting food drives at Pauls rally's to donate to childrens shelters and food banks? Most of them are very caring people, who buy supporting Ron Paul, indirectly care about every American citizen.
The poster who brought up war, I doubt cares to wage war on one candidate buying votes. It's much bigger then that. A rEVOLution is being waged aginst the buying of elections, against voter fraud via the easily proven to be hackable Diebold machines and the hijacking of America by The private Federal Reserve banks and Big Corpa who actully own us economic slaves.
I heard another food drive is being organized by Ron Paul supports at his homecoming rally in PA today as a part of Pauls good will campaign trail. I'd rather focus on those doing good for Americans through supporting Ron pauls message, then a handful who are rightly frustrated with a corrupt system taking advantage of a rich man buying votes to get into Office.
If Romney doesn't want to pay for people to vote for other republicans at Ames, he shouldn't be buying their tickets to vote for him. Case closed. |
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Does not anyone understand, these left of conservative NeoCons make up the rules as they go along.
They are law breakers, plain and simple. They're flip floppers, plain and simple. They're bankrupt on ideas, because they are guided by special interest, instead of the rule of law.
My predictions, any Republican candidate will lose with a pro-Iraq war position in 2008.
Pro-Iraq War = unnecessary bigger government, in the minds of most true conservatives.
So if NeoCons want Repubs to win in Nov 2008, they better elect Ron Paul in the primaries.
If they don't, or unless some divine intervention happens, we will have Hillary for Prez.
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What a cheezy article!
One Ron Paul supporter, in one Ron Paul forum asked the other users in that forum if he should use McRomney's ticket to support Ron Paul.
Is that all you bozo's could dig up? Please tell me you have more.
Tell me that you are really interested in the issues involving this nation.
Convince me that this irritating little hit-piece is not a weak, futile, desparate attempt at character assination by association.
I've got a great idea, if you insist on manufacturing dirt about candidates, why don't you do it in a fair and equitable manner?
Journalists are supposed to REPORT the news. Not INFLUENCE it. Remember?
Let's hear the dirt on all of the other candidates TOO.
OOPS... I forgot. Townhall, most of the other medial outlets in the nation, and ALL of the other candidates are bought and paid for. Cowed and loyal serfs to the Huge Money Corpocratic government.
Hmmmmm... Romney is attempting to buy the presidency. Every one knows this.
In a constitutional republic populated by free individuals this would be a scandal of ENORMOUS proportions. Do you talk about this? Nope.
G.W. Bush has just signed ANOTHER executive order stripping the people of MORE of their liberties. Do you talk about this? Nope.
Townhall is a joke. Townhall is a shill for the huge money Juggernaut party.
Ignore this waste of digital storage space.
Read,
Think for yourselves,
Do not let this "Ministry of Truth" shill for Big Brother spoonfeed you an opinion.
Be responsible for yourselves,
VOTE.
Sincerely.
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I can assume that after I post this, Gabby will say I'm a liar, for she wants to ignore the truth about Ron Paul, and Liberty will post Ron Paul's legalese comments about DOMA and will say that Ron Paul thinks states should decide about gay marriage, and Will or some other homosexual will call me a homophobe and a hater, but here goes. I think all who decide to support Ron Paul need to know how Ron Paul stands on gay marriage. In his Google interview, Ron Paul made a comment that indicates that he favors gay marriage. I hope the Ron Paul supporters who oppose gay marriage (I think Gabby is one) will have the integrity to admit that the following is a troubling statement.
Google Executive: "So clearly, then, your position on issues like gay marriage--you'd be in favor of that?"
Ron Paul: "I'm in favor of all voluntary associations, and people can call it whatever they want." |
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Ron Paul has absolutely nothing to lose so he can say and do anything he wants because he's not yet beholden to the special interests. He's the Republican flavor of the month. He's just waiting in the wings as the loyal understudy in case the anyone in the top tier crashes and burns. |
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Dearest Brian:
I'm not a townhall.com member. I wanted to post a comment. Before I could I had to fill out a little form with little asterisks ("*" for those of you who don't know)REQUIRING my first and last name, address, phone number, and email.
You joked at my paranoia, but explain to me why the hell townhall.com needs all that info just so I can post my lowly opinion? I'm complaining not because I think it's a conspiracy against me. It's far worse. They'll use it to send me endless letters stating "Republicans need your help to win back Congress! Donate today to the RNC!"
Don't even get me started about the hoops Michelle Malkin makes commenters jump through.
Hugs and Kisses,
Valerie (Not Ron Paul, but thanks for the compliment)
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39A.2. Election misconduct in the first degree.
d. Bribery.
(1) Pays, offers to pay, or causes to be paid money or any other thing of value to a person to influence the person’s vote. |
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If Ron Paul has a decent showing at the Iowa Straw Poll, the Mainstream Media now has something to attribute it to. The few, poor, backward supporters of Ron Paul, who don't have $35 and their own transportation were given an opportunity to lie, cheat, and steal from poor (er, rich), innocent, honest, upright Mitt Romney. Surely Ron Paul's ideas aren't enough to motivate his online bots to cough up their own money to show real support. And on and on they will go...
I doubt that many Ron Paul supporters will use Mitt Romney's money and transportation. They respect Paul's honesty because they are generally honest people. Paul's support is so strong that he won't need the Romney free-loaders. But at least the Media now has a scapegoat, once those supporters make their presence known! |
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Ron Paul has many supporters, and perhaps some of them might not be perfect. Alert the media!! Blame the candidate! How silly...
This is a non-issue because the Ron Paul Iowa grassroots campaign is going very well and they do not need Romney's help to get people to Ames to vote for Ron Paul.
America is sick and tired of being lied to by both parties and they want a change. Are you folks in the news media that dense that you can't see this? Ron Paul's support grows daily, yet you do your best to ridicule him and his supporters. Methinks he will have the last laugh.
Republicans: Think about it. Do the homework. Do the research. See who is supporting Ron Paul. The answer? People from all the parties. Ron Paul is the ONLY candidate who can beat Hillary. He will receive votes from Republicans, Independents, Greens, Conservatives, Libertarians and Democrats. If you are smart enough to make him the Republican nominee, he will be unbeatable and you will then have what you want - A Republican President. Isn't that what matters to you? Backing a winner?
I wish the mainstream news media would stop grasping at straws (pun intended) to discredit Dr. Paul and his supporters. Why don't you go pick on the liar neocon candidates for a change? I bet you will find beaucoups skeletons in those closets....That is if your bosses will let you... |
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The latest tracking poll in RAS shows interesting trends for the week. Rudy is at 26, Thompson has slid all week and is at 22, Romney is up to 14/15 and McCain has slid down to 9.
Romney should get a national bounce from the straw poll. I figure it costs him 50-100 bucks for each pledge(35 ticket, 10 food, 50 trans and 5 in overhead/mailing). However, he reaches the real caucus goers and that is what counts. |
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Dubya bought 10,000 tickets and won the poll with about 7,600 votes.
I encourage everybody that doesn't like Romney's platform to take his ticket and vote for the guy they like.
If enough people did such a thing it would most certainly force a change away from big money campaigning in the future and we all win. Well all of us but old media that profits off the status quo and political parties that profit as well. |
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ok...I represent probably millions of just average apathetic people...I'm 36 hardly ever voted..republican and just listened to what I was told.
Ron Paul has invigorated me politically. Just Last month, I'm averaging $300 per month toward campaign contributions activities and dedicate aprox. 30-40 hours per month sitting on a street corner with 6-8 other guys just like me M-F passing out flyers and holding up signs.
The Question? What happenens if 10% Americans start to duplicate what I'm doing...that might alter the election......
Re: Straw Polls
As an Average guy...the more I have learned how we have to buy votes to even have a chance...it makes me actually physically sick...Maybe it's a good thing your bring attention these fees they charge at Straw Polls...I think there might be some "Blowback" against the entire process...(sure seems pretty unfair to me) |
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If you do not fund the Rep party in IA you hand it to the Dems. I suspect that many Paul supporters have more in common with the Reps than the Dems.
Since Matt posted this thread and used Paul as a foil, I suspect what he is really hoping is the McRudyThom supporters will leach off of Romney and vote for McCain, Rudy or Thompson, who are stiffing the party. The Paul ruse is just a decoy.
Matt sets Paul up for all of the flack and McRudyThom sneak in the back door.
DRat is right every other candidate's vote will be tainted by the idea that some of their supporters stiffed the party, cheated and leached off of Romney. |
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techs wrote;
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"C'mon - this is war."
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This is classic.
Ron Paul's acolytes won't fight Islamic Jihad, but they'll declare 'war' on...Mitt Romney !
What's ironic is that on the one hand, Sam Brownback, Matt Lewis, and Ron Paul are all adamant that Romney is at best in third place nationally, and that he has no real chance of winning the nomination.
Yet look at all the energy they are putting into undermining the...'THIRD place' candidate !
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There may be some Ron Paul supporters that would take Mitt up on the free stuff he is offering. I am guessing that supporters of other campaigns might do the same thing. Most people who are Ron Paul supporters that I have talked with said they wouldn't do it, but at the same time, I am sure some people from all campaigns will probably use Mitt's vote buying against him. |
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If Ron Paul happens to do really well at AMES (as expected) Then Romney can claim that RP supporters hacked his offer (to buy votes) to get free tickets, transportation and food. I can just read the MSM headlines now: "RON PAUL"S WACKY, NUT-JOB, TRUTHER SUPPORTERS HACK AMES STRAW POLL WINNING #1 SPOT BY A LANDSLIDE. OFFICIALS QUICKLY DISQUALIFY RON PAUL FROM AMES MAKING ROMNEY BIG WINNER"
Filthy rich people like Romney think they can buy anyone and anything. Romney will never have anything in common or be able relate with real Americans. Romney- A political hack with a $300.00 haircut. |
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"Why exactly is Ron Paul in any way relevant ?"
I don't know, Matt. Maybe because he's the true conservative and Constitutionalist in the race? Not to mention the only Republican who can beat Hillary/Obama in the general election.
“...the two American political figures Ron Paul strikes me as being the most similar to are Thomas Jefferson and Barry Goldwater.” – Chuck Muth
“I strongly support Ron Paul. We very badly need to have more Representatives in the House who understand in a principled way the importance of property rights and religious freedom” – Milton Friedman, Nobel Prize Economist
"If the framers of the Constitution were somehow to come back, Ron Paul is one of possibly only three people in Congress that they'd even talk to," said Mr. Williams, adding that most politicians have a "generalized contempt" for the values of the Constitution. – Walter Williams
“...in his heart and in his head, in his character and in his intellect, in what he has done and in what he will become, the Thomas Jefferson of our day, Ron Paul is one of us!" --Judge Andrew Napolitano
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8QwTKKSvR8
"Texas Congressman Ron Paul's pro-gun credentials are impeccable and he has been a leading proponent of rolling back the past 40 years of gun control." -- Gun Owners of America
Ron Paul for President '08 -- "HOPE FOR AMERICA"
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/
http://www.ronpaullibrary.org/index.php
http://www.ronpaulaudio.com/
http://www.ronpaulnation.com/tv.html
http://gunowners.org/pres08/paul.htm
Books by Ron Paul:
http://www.ronpaullibrary.org/books.php
If Republicans want to win in November of 2008, they must nominate Ron Paul.
If they nominate anyone else, they will assuredly lose.
The Reagan coalition has turned into the Ron Paul Revolution.
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You're right: honesty, integrity, intellect, and adherence to law are soooooo outdated. |
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If "guerilla warfare tactics" are what is needed to win the race, then sign me up.
This is not the compromise of principle in order to get elected, (such as if RP was supporting prescription drug benefit to gain support of elderly voters.)
This is making use of materials at hand, obstructing opponents (draining their coffers) and packing a convention. You think we are the only ones to consider taking Mitt's offer of a free ride?
C'mon - this is war. I don't care if it's rude, so long as it works. However, I wouldn't brag about it until after the ride home.
Later.
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Matt Lewis wants to know if Ron Paul's acolytes who plan to lie and freeload off of Mitt Romney's campaign is merely "unchivalrous" ?
No, Matthew, it's not "unchivalrous"---it's lying and freeloading.
It's just a "little" ironic that the disciples of Ron Paul who are so outraged about Congress going on shopping sprees with taxpayers' money, have no qualms about dishonestly freeloading off of Mitt Romney's campaign as a means to justify THEIR ends.
Funny, because pork barrel spending champs such as John Murtha and Robert Byrd probably see their own behavior in the same light.
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"Romney knows what he is doing. He is funding the IA Rep party. In Jan there will be a lot of Party leaders and candidates who are running for local office who will remember that Romney saved the straw poll."
Interesting. Sounds a lot like BUYING OFF to me.
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I don't see what is so wrong about what the RP supporters are doing. I mean, the Iowa straw poll affects the outcome of the race, and yet its voting is based on which rich guy can throw the most money at voters. How is this an accurate representation of the Republican base? Giuliani and Romney have the biggest war chests, and yet many conservatives including us in the South dislike the pro-abortion view of Giuliani and Romney's liberal leanings. How are candidates like Tancredo, Paul, Hunter, etc. supposed to compete with these opportunists? I encourage all of the second tier candidates' supporters to take up Romney on his offer. His campaign would be dead now if it were not for his own personal donation of 9 million to his campaign. Let's make sure no Northern elites take the GOP nomination |
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The "Polls" all of you like to cite that Paul is not doing well in are the mainstream media LAND LINE phone call polls.
EVERY other poll conducted has Ron winning by a landslide...EVERY ONE.
Keep demonizing the only candidate with a 100% record of constitutional voting...the constitution EVERY congressman swears to uphold when they enter office...and Ron Paul is the ONLY congressman NEVER to have violated his oath of office.
Those that say he is 18 century...need to read and learn about this country and the laws it was founded on. You completely wrong in your assumptions and need to take 10 minutes to learn about Ron...your cheating yourself, your family, your health, and your wallet by ignoring him.
Not one politician can match his honesty...not one. |
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I don't support Paul, but he is relevant.
1- He's the only repub who opposes a very unpopular war.
2- He's the only libertarian. (He ran on the Libertarian ticket in 1988, and could easily run as a Libertarian or independent if he were to drop out of the Repub race, creating a third party run just viable enough to spoil in some states.)
3- He has devoted grassroots supporters. Even though they all consistently poll with negligible numbers, there's a reason why we're talking about Ron Paul and not Hunter, Gilmore, Tommy Thompson, Brownback, etc..... |
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Romney is laying the foundation for winning the nomination in IA but he is also laying the foundation for winning IA in the general election.
Rudy, McCain and Thompson are snubbing the Rep party by dodging the straw poll. That weakens the party for the general election. We need a strong IA Rep Party and we need IA in Nov 2008. |
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Why exactly is Ron Paul in any way relevant ? |
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Romney knows what he is doing. He is funding the IA Rep party. In Jan there will be a lot of Party leaders and candidates who are running for local office who will remember that Romney saved the straw poll.
He must be very confident of victory at this point. He knows some people will take the tickets intending to vote for someone else. However, they have to ride forth and back with a bunch of Romney supporters (if they take the transportation offer). They have to come to Romney land to get their free BBQ. It is like the promo campaign that car companies used when they paid you to take a test drive.
If Ron Paul runs second ahead of Rudy, Thompson and McCain that is not necessarily bad for Romney. That will make the national news.
If Ron Paul run ahead of Brownback and Huckabee that helps Romney. Maybe Romney is using Paul?
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When I ran for Congress in '92, I had to collect 2000 signatures. Many people I encountered told me that they were already supporting one of my opponents. I told them that I wasn't asking for their vote, but only their signature to get my name on the ballot so that I may participate in our political process. They were then more than happy to sign my nomination papers.
I look at this in much the same way. Romney is encouraging people to participate in the political process at Ames. He is helping them to get there and giving them a ballot. What they do with that ballot is up to them. |
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You sure know how to pick your horses. First McCain and now Paul. If you're looking for a valid candidate to shill for, why not pick a Republican? A conservative Republican? Someone like Duncan Hunter? Ron Paul is a nutty 18th century Libertarian who runs for president every four years (no one even remembers). You may be able to bump his best showing up from 0.43% to 1.12% over time but Hunter is a serious candidate with unassailable conservative credentials who has actually accomplished important things.
(Come on Dean, release the hounds already!) |
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then why not do it? Sounds like a good idea to me! Free food, free transportation, and a free Ames ticket?
Go Romney! Okay, now give me the ticket! Go Ron Paul!
Dr. Paul is going to make a great showing at Ames.
"You would also have to lie on the pledge that you signed. Maybe that would not bother the "Strict "Constitutionists" who support Paul."
Hey, unless the Constitution says that we need to obey non-contractual, non-binding oaths, why should they be bothered? |
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No doubt some people "may" do this, as it has been done throughout the Ames's Straw Poll history. (God help you if you think this is the first time candidates tried to buy off voters.) But if you read the comments on this blog and any of the Ron Paul Forums you will see that most RP supporters have agreed that to use Mitt's free tickets would be sleazy and WRONG.
If Ron Paul manages to achieve a victory in Ames August 11th, I expect those in the mainstream media to give him credit and acknowledge with honesty and humility that he did it through the efforts of the dedicated, enthusiastic grassroots supporters.
And if respected members of the Right like Hugh Hewitt, or Rush, or Sean, try to diminish the accuracy of the polls, or say it was only through "guerilla warfare tactics" that RP succeeded, I will view that as acknowledgment that the Republican Party, the party I've respected and for whom I've voted for fifteen years, no longer deserves my respect or my vote.
By the way: Why is it that all the Right Wing Blogs require commenters to enter full name, address, phone number, and email before we can submit? Do I need to fear someone coming after me if dare to state that I disagree? |
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The straw poll is not vote buying. It is a means of funding the state party and a test of organization. Candidates have always paid the tickets, food and transportation costs. It is the dry run for getting the vote out on caucus night.
If you do not participate in the straw poll you will not win IA. Many of the 2nd tier candidates in the straw poll will not be on the ballot in Jan. Their supporters are going to go someplace and Romney would like to pick them up. Even if they vote for someone else in the straw poll his invite gives him a chance to make his pitch to them. |
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Vote Buying at the Straw Polls
Diabold easily hacked voting machines
Oh Please our elections are already so warped
that one or two Ron Paul supporters using a ticket purchased by Romney is peanuts.
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You would also have to lie on the pledge that you signed. Maybe that would not bother the "Strict "Constuctionists" who support Paul.
I am sure the Romney campaign factored in an estimate of the number of pikers who would cheat. |
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