On the Day of the Iowa Straw Poll Campaigns Fight For Last Minute Votes
- Posted on August 13, 2011 at 5:47pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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On the day of the first real test of the Republican 2012 presidential primary race, candidates dependent on a strong showing in Iowa have gone all-in with rallying their supporters in Ames for the Iowa Straw Poll, hoping to make a name for themselves and emerge from a crowded field.
Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty isn’t holding back on his criticism of President Barack Obama. Pawlenty described Obama as being “like a manure spreader in a windstorm,” drawing loud cheers from a crowd of GOP activists in Ames at about (1:50) of his straw poll speech:
Pawlenty said that Republican candidates have to show that they can back up their words with actions. Pawlenty pointed to his record as a conservative governor in a strongly Democratic state, which he says speaks for itself. He notes that his performance in Minnesota, is evidence that he can take conservative policies nationwide.
Texas Rep. Ron Paul is emphasizing his anti-abortion views as he looks to build on his tea party and libertarian base ahead of a key test vote in Iowa.
The Republican presidential candidate and avid libertarian thinker said on Saturday that government cannot play God and make decisions on abortions. He says — quote “all life is precious” and must be defended.
Rep. Paul also highlighted his opposition to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as the PATRIOT Act. He says the United States cannot defend liberty abroad while denying U.S. citizens their own rights.
Rep. Paul called U.S. foreign policy misguided, and repeated his call to audit the Federal Reserve. Rep. Paul along with Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann brought in particularly large numbers of supporters to Ames Saturday. Politico reports that Bachmann gave away 6,000 tickets to the event.
Republican presidential hopeful and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum says he’ll never back down from his focus on social issues, including opposing abortion and fighting gay rights.
Santorum says the GOP has to be about more than just cutting taxes and spending. He says those who want to ignore social issues don‘t understand the party and they don’t understand Iowa.
Santorum told activists at the straw poll that “I will not back down” on pushing those hot-button issues. Santorum says his candidacy has been written off by much of the media. But he says he‘s campaigned for the state’s leadoff caucuses more than any of his GOP rivals and will continue to do that.
CNN reports that the consensus among Iowa GOP insiders is that Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Texas Rep. Ron Paul will take the top three positions in the nonbinding vote.
Results are expected around 5:00 p.m. central time.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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stheide1
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 7:18pmI am sorry to say this but we do not need another 80 something year old going against BO. Did you forget what happened last election with MaCain and Obama? We have a younger generation that just votes on looks and how popular someone is. The American Idol group, how I see them, votes on looks and if they are up to date on the electronic front. Sorry but I don’t think Paul looks that tech savey. Just my thought
Report Post »S_Malc13
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 7:32pmYou are severely wrong. Young people are leaving 0bama in droves.
Report Post »stheide1
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 7:46pmThat’s only because of the unemployment rate. There are no jobs for them. All I am saying is that 80 some year old compared to someone who is young. He is also losing the independents to but no one is talking about them.
Report Post »stheide1
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 7:57pmI would vote for his son because I like the budget deal that he came up with. I feel that Ron Paul talks down to people and that might be his age as well. If his would run he would have my vote in an instant.
Report Post »lylejk
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 6:57pmI like Paul except his stance on the sactity of marriage and as we all found out he could care less if Iran gets a nuke (yes, I lean Libertarian but I’m sorry; a marriage can only be between and man and a woman. If gays want civil unions with all the benifits that couples get, then I have no beef with this, but a Marriage is and has always been between a man and a woman and I will not bend on this one. Also, I don’t want Iran with a Nuke; sorry). Anyway, I still like Cain, but Cain is not going to have a chance and Bachmann is my second choice and I’d rather have her then Romney or Perry. Happy for Michelle for the win. :)
Report Post »S_Malc13
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 6:54pmCompared to 2008, it’s not bad. It is Iowa. Congrats Bachman.
Ron Paul 2012.
Report Post »KcGuerrilla
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 6:49pmPaul only lost to Bachman by 200 votes and raped Pawlenty by like 2000 votes !!!!!!!!!! Paul 2012
Report Post »S_Malc13
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 6:52pmBachman won.
Report Post »escape_from_socialism
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 6:57pmI’m happy with those results. Bachmann/Paul or Paul/Bachmann will be a POWER HOUSE!!!
Report Post »I can predict, they will beat Obama in the landslide.
quicker
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 6:48pmSorry to say he didn`t bus enough of his supporters in.Michelle Bachman won.
Report Post »S_Malc13
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 7:09pmNo, they flew in on C-17s and corporate jets. You know the type, Neocons and Socialist who support Ron. Gotta roll with style, baby.
ATTN: Anyone here, on the internet, try doing some research on Paul. Stop watching FOX and posting here at the same time. Try Youtube..type in Ron Paul and learn an alternative to Bush and 0bama…the truth.
Report Post »momprayn
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 6:46pmBREAKING — BACHMANN wins — Ron Paul, 2nd, Pawlenty 3rd……guess it’ll be on here shortly.
Report Post »endgamer
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 6:44pmGo Ron Go!
Report Post »sambachico
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 6:21pmI’m sure hoping Dr. Paul gets the win. He’s worked very hard at the grassroots level to build a solid organization in Iowa for months. If he wins it, it will be his supporters have successfully convinced enough people to attend and vote for him.
Report Post »Aiser
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 6:18pmLET’S GO DR. RON PAUL!!! The man is the only one whom actually gets it. He already knew the economic crisis we were going to dig ourselves into, 20 years prior to the crash! here is the evidence. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0735005ItY&NR=1. To not vote for Ron Paul is insanity. All the left-wing and right-wing loons continue to vote against their own interest when they should be voting libertarian ( upwards ).
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 6:48pmDr. Rand Paul, yes. Dr. Ron Paul, NO! I’m a Texan, so I know what a phony he is. The only thing I can agree with him is his idea of auditing the Fed.
Report Post »Mr. Oshawott
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 7:18pm@Dagneyt
All right, Dagneyt, since you seem to “know” how “phony” Ron Paul is, then I suppose you would have no problem bringing up proof to support your shaky claim, because I am GETTING SICK AND TIRED OF PEOPLE VILLIFYING HIM DESPITE HIS THREE-DECADE RECORD OF VOTING WITHIN THE CONSTITUTION!
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 6:11pmThis straw poll is a sham! You have to pay to vote in it, and the candidates….in particular Ron Paul, buy tickets and give them out to their supporters. Don’t put too much stock in the outcome, because they’re just buying votes.
Report Post »quicker
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 6:51pmYou`re going to have the Paul supporters after you.
Report Post »S_Malc13
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 7:13pmWe’re the unemployed and the vets; we can’t afford to pay much of anything because of your Neocon/Socialists unchallenged spending. We are conserving, re-educating, retraining, retooling to replace the country’s depleting workforce.
Report Post »Saveouramerica
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 5:57pmWell lets hope that Perry can make Pawlenty and Newt Smoth out thier appraches, If Newt stayed on topic he would be the front runner. Now its 10 will there be 11th?
Report Post »teapartyconservatism
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 5:53pmAll good speakers, all sincere in their intention and all have huge potential to enable us to regain our footing as we run from the treasonous treachery of Obama and the democratic progressive regressive socialists.
Ron knows the numbers and banking, Michelle loves us, McCotter delivers clarity and Cain is a the very embodiment of the realization of the great American dream, who to his enormous benefit, has the added appeal of having never been a politician!
None attacked Obama directly with the truth of his failing to be a natural born citizen, however, those currently in political office they may yet see the light provided they are sufficiently compelled by the voters. With God’s grace we the people will see the truth prevail, the Constitution obeyed and damage done by Obama and his ilk undone.
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 6:51pmKudos & dittos. Like you, I am totally confused as to why no one will tackle his legitimacy. Let’s just start with his Connecticut SS#, and go from there, shall we PLEASE????
Report Post »Countrygirl1362
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 5:53pmDo wish that they would lay out a clear plan that would help save this country and undo all they are attacking that has been done.
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 6:52pmI thought Newt layed out a good plan. But it cannot be implemented or passed until there are more Republicans in the senate or we have a Republican President. Obama is not going to sign anything that will get us out. Newt’s Idea of repealing Obamacare, dumping the Dodd-Frank bill so we can get the banks loaning money and get the housing market going and I can’t remember the 2 other things he proposed but I do trust him to know exactly what needs to be done to get us out.
If we can survive the next 15months, I have faith that the Conservatives can get it turned around. Until I have no Idea what can be done because Obama is going to Block everything.
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