Here's an excerpt from an Iowa report:"While the results have no direct effect on the selection of delegates to the Republicans' national nominating convention next year in Minneapolis, a poor showing can spell the end of the campaign trail for lesser-known, lower-tier contenders while a decent showing can help a candidate remain viable for another day. In 1999, when the last straw poll was held, 235 chartered buses traveled to Ames, more than 23,000 Republicans voted and nine members of the 10-candidate field showed up. The presidential campaigns of former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander, former Vice President Dan Quayle and future North Carolina Sen. Elizabeth Dole ended shortly afterward as George W. Bush, then the governor of Texas, easily won the contest with 31 percent of the vote to billionaire Steve Forbes' nearly 21 percent. But the dynamics of this year's straw poll have created questions about the real political value of a top finish and what it means in the larger sphere of an unsettled Republican field."Fortunately for the second (or third) tier candidates, some of the "front-runners" have chosen not to participate, thus providing an opportunity for some to emerge as viable top-tier candidates.
On the other hand, unfortunately for the second-tier candidates (and GOP voters in general?) . . . some of the "front-runners" have chosen not to participate; thus, the straw poll is likely to only have the impact of giving viability to all of the lower-tier campaigns. In sum, none of them are going to lose so badly (how can some of the candidates do any worse than they are already doing in scientific polls?) that they will fold up their tent. I take that back, Tommy Thompson appears to have flatly declared that he is dropping out of the race if he doesn't come in second place at the straw poll. Kudos, Mr Thompson.
I was glad to hear Huckabee say recently that he, like Thompson, does not consider himself an "issue" candidate--that is, a candidate who is running to push an idea and not to actually get the nomination.
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Romney Leadership Team Member Overseeing Straw Poll
I could certainly write volumes about this, but I think the facts paint the picture themselves.
The Iowa GOP is facing possible suit over their use of the same Diebold machines that were just de-certified. Story here.
They are claiming of course, that there is nothing to worry about since the voting procedure will be conducted with the assistance and oversight of the Story County Auditor's Office. Story here.
If we look here we see the Story County Auditor is Mary Mosiman.
Mary Mosiman also happens to be on Mitt Romney's "Romney for President Leadership Team".
So there you have it, the Story County Auditor who will take part in overseeing the voting on the questionable machines is part of a team dedicated to "help Governor Romney share his vision for America".
That's a blatant conflict of interest and this is something we cannot ignore.
PS. It's also worth noting that according to this article, Romney's Commonwealth PAC gave State Auditor David A. Vaudt $1,000 in 2004.
Without more (not to mention it's merely a straw poll) that's demagogic speculation . . . and learn to paste links, please. But thanks for visiting, "Anonymous" (you could also take the time to get an identity and not "need" to post as anonymously).
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