Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney Wins Iowa Straw Poll

[Ohiowoman]

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney Wins Iowa Straw Poll
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Associated Press

AMES, Iowa — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney won an easy and expected victory in a high-profile Iowa Republican Party Straw Poll on Saturday, claiming nearly twice as many votes as his nearest rival.

Romney had been expected to win the test because he spent millions of dollars and months of effort on an event that was skipped by two of his major rivals.

Story

[Ohiowoman]

This story is more in-depth:

Forbes.com story

[Charie]

The scale of the spectacle was so immense - event organizers planned for the arrival of 375 buses - that even Iowa Democratic Chairman Scott Brennan decided to take a look. State Democrats don't hold anything similar, arguing the event is more about raising money than selecting candidates

Oh sure, the Democrats would never hold a fund raiser, after all they're too high and mighty to stoop to the Republican's level.

Whaddya wanna bet the next time an election rolls around the Dems will be holding a straw poll in every early electing state.

[qrayjack]

Momentum; a big word in election politics.

[Terri]

So, here's the order of finish.

Romney 4,516 votes, or 31.5 percent

Mike Huckabee who had 2,587 votes, or 18.1 percent

Sam Brownback was third with 2,192 votes, 15.3 percent.

Tom Tancredo 1,961, 13.7%

Ron Paul 1,305, 9.1%

Tommy Thompson 1,009 votes 7.3%

Fred Thompson 231 votes

Rudy Giuliani 183 votes

Duncan Hunter 174

John McCain 101 votes


The bottom is very interesting. Obviously, McCain, Giuliani and Thompson didn't attempt to even compete in Iowa so their result is not surprising.

But what is up with Duncan Hunter? He is the ultimate conservative but he gets no traction with Republican voters. I know his supporters have been saying you can't trust polls but this is an actual vote in one state among Republican faithfuls.

Huckabee's results are really not surprising to me. He's had solid conservative performances in every debate. I know many conservatives aren't watching debates but they really should.

Brownback is a little surprising to me.

Tancredo's results have to be an immigration vote and I wonder where those votes will go when he's no longer in the race.

Ron Paul represents the percentage of Republican votes that are lost to the Party this year no matter who we choose. I think they illustrate why Hillary is likely to win no matter what happens.

Tommy Thompson is expected to drop out today or tomorrow.

Ok, tell me where I'm wrong.

[qrayjack]

Ok, tell me where I'm wrong.

Can't. Pretty much on the money.

[STEELMAN]

Sam Brownback was third with 2,192 votes, 15.3 percent.

Brownback is from my state and does answer his constituents questions in the mail. But I'm not convinced he would make a strong president. He seems a little too milk toast to me. But that's just my opinion.

[Luckyme]

I'm really sorry to see Duncan Hunter isn't doing better. My only guess is...he's too far right in the present political climate. Too many Republicans are more in the center. I would love to see him picked as VP and then run for president again.

Romney and Huckabee I could support. Fred Thompson I'm still on the fence with, some things I like and others I'm not sure.

So much depends on the ability to handle oneself under fire. Remember how George Allen ended his campaign by his own mistakes. I think Romney has proven he can handle the heat.

Another important consideration is how well they handle their own campaigns. If they can't handle their campaigns, they'll never be able to work with congress.

Most of all, we need someone who stands a chance of winning with the best conservative values we can get. I do think the country is moving to the right, but it's not going to be a giant leap, it will be done over time.

[sherman]

I was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa.
In fact, I lived there most of my life.
I mentioned that to say this:
It never ceases to amaze me that the "Straw Poll" election time, seems to be the ONLY time a lot of folks realize that Iowa even exists.
That being said, I'm glad there appears to be a clear front runner. Something the dem's. can only dream of.
So for me, the question now is:
"Are the conservatives going to show enough backbone and allow the "process of elimination" to take place, and strengthen the rest;Or are we going to follow the examples of the Ron Paul and Democratic gangs, and insist on keeping the chain full of weak links ?"

FTR, I havn't, as of yet, made a final decision, but I refuse to just sit back and allow those within the "Hollywood Elite Liberal Lawless" groups take control.

The part I liked was Tommy T. got ten times more votes than J. McCain did. I hope he gets the message and drops out.