Republicans pulling out of Texas Straw Poll...

[Taco John]

They know the writing is on the wall in Texas...

http://www.star-telegram.com/state_news/story/217994.html


Ex-governor pulls out of straw poll
By ANNA M. TINSLEY
Star-Telegram staff writer

FORT WORTH -- Another prominent Republican presidential candidate is pulling out of the Texas straw poll: former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who finished a surprising second in the Iowa straw poll.

"The governor will not be participating in the [Texas] straw poll due to a scheduling conflict," spokeswoman Alice Stewart said Wednesday.

This comes after other candidates -- Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, Mitt Romney and most recently Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback -- already pulled out of the event.

That leaves U.S. Reps. Ron Paul of Surfside and Duncan Hunter of California, Ray McKinney, John Cox and Hugh Cort as the candidates planning to show up at the Fort Worth Convention Center this weekend.

"I'm surprised Huckabee pulled out," said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. "He was in a position to contest Ron Paul, and he could have won this.

"Having done well in Iowa increased his visibility," Jillson said. "He might have been able to build on that here."

Texas Republican Party officials, who are trying to get Huckabee to reconsider, say all GOP candidates will be on the ballot whether they are present or not.

Other events at the poll

While Republican Party faithful are casting ballots inside the convention center Saturday, anti-war activists will be holding a fair outside with musicians, performers, children's games and even hot dogs for sale. Their goal is to conduct a poll to show that Americans want the troops brought home from Iraq.

"We're not protesting the Republicans," said Charlie Jackson, founder of the nonprofit Texans for Peace, which is spearheading the event. "We're simply saying the people have spoken on this issue [the war], and with one voice, they've said that we need to bring our troops home.

"The people have already voted for peace."

There could be more anti-war activists downtown than delegates for the first-ever GOP Texas straw poll. Party officials have not released how many delegates have registered for the poll, while anti-war supporters say they may number in the thousands.

Texas GOP officials say they are working to make the straw poll the best it can be.

"Our focus is what goes on inside the convention center," said Hans Klingler, communications and political director for the Texas Republican Party. "The groups outside the convention center are expressing their First Amendment rights, and they are absolutely free to do so."

'Old-fashioned' fair

Anti-war advocates plan to set up tables, booths, stages and more in General Worth Square on Main Street between Eighth and Ninth streets.

There will be speakers throughout the day, including retired Col. Ann Wright, who resigned from the State Department to protest the war, and Carlos Arredondo, whose son Alex was killed in Iraq in 2004. There will also be musicians such as Carolyn Wonderland of Austin and Eric Folkerth of Dallas.

A children's play area will add to the atmosphere, which organizers say they hope resembles an "old-fashioned" fair. "There are activities for the whole family," said Alyssa Burgin, spokeswoman for Texans for Peace. "We really have a mix. We want to show Fort Worth what peace is all about."

[BucEyedPea]

Could it be that Texas is Paul's home state and he's polled at 6% there?
Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

What a bunch of wussies for the party of macho! LMAO!

[Cochise]

Whoa, a whole 6%? Look out frontrunners!

[BucEyedPea]

BTW do you have your CPI card on you?
If so, could you check it to tell me if milk went up again. :p

[BucEyedPea]

Whoa, a whole 6%? Look out frontrunners!
Good point! Yet! They even run from that.

Triple wussification for such macho men! ROFL

[patteeu]

Serious question: IIRC, Texas sends a mixture of delegates to the national convention (as opposed to one candidate takes all). What percentage of Texas' delegates do you guys think that Ron Paul will end up winning for his bid at the nomination (assuming he takes that bid all the way to the convention)?

[Cochise]

Good point! Yet! They even run from that.

Triple wussification for such macho men! ROFL

Still got the sig bet offer out there for you. All he has to do is win one state primary.

[BucEyedPea]

I can't have a sig here. I'm not a Chiefs fan. Although I don't know why listpencil gets to have one.

I also told you I don't bet on my team or my politicians.
I've made no claims to any Paul victory. I have hope.

So did milk go up again this week?

[BucEyedPea]

Serious question: IIRC, Texas sends a mixture of delegates to the national convention (as opposed to one candidate takes all). What percentage of Texas' delegates do you guys think that Ron Paul will end up winning for his bid at the nomination (assuming he takes that bid all the way to the convention)?
I don't claim to be Miss Cleo.

[HolmeZz]

I can't have a sig here. I'm not a Chiefs fan. Although I don't know why listpencil gets to have one.

I don't have one either. They're nazis, man. Friggin' nazis.

[patteeu]

I can't have a sig here.

I've never heard of that rule. Are you sure it just wasn't because you were a noob when you checked on it? They may limit you until after your first few dozen posts or something like they do with avatars.

[BucEyedPea]

I've never heard of that rule. Are you sure it just wasn't because you were a noob when you checked on it? They may limit you until after your first few dozen posts or something like they do with avatars.
Actually, I never checked on it. After my first posts in the Lounge I made one and had it up. Then one day, it was blocked, ( I can see it again when I'm in preview mode for a post) saying I wasn't allowed to have one. So per that statement, it's the policy. Since I was new and considered myself a guest on a foreign football BB, I figured it was just the policy. So I respected it. Ya' know it's someone's property and I respect that.

Afte that,bill parcells came, started with a sig, just like I had, and when I posted asking why parcell gets one....his was gone too. Between that and observation that it's Chief's fans only that have them here, I figured it was just the policy and respected it. I just happened to notice listopencil's last few weeks. At first I didn't know he was a Bronco's fan.

Anyhow, I'm not complaining...just telling the Big Indian Chief,Cochise, that I don't have a sig to do a sig bet. I don't really care to bet anyway.

This make it clear?

[patteeu]

Actually, I never checked on it. After my first posts in the Lounge I made one and had it up. Then one day, it was blocked, ( I can see it again when I'm in preview mode for a post) saying I wasn't allowed to have one. I just assumed it was the policy and since I was new and considered myself a guest on a foreign football BB, I figured it was just the policy. So I respected it.

Afte that,bill parcells came, started with a sig, just like I had, and when I posted asking why parcell gets one....his was gone too. Between that and observation that it's Chief's fans only that have them here, I figured it was just the policy and respected it. I just happened to notice listopencil's last few weeks. At first I didn't know he was a Bronco's fan.

Anyhow, I'm not complaining...just telling the Big Indian Chief,Cochise, that I don't have a sig to do a sig bet. I don't really care to bet anyway.

This make it clear?

The other possibility that I can think of is that your original sig was too big. I know that we've periodically gone through purges of oversized sigs and those who don't comply voluntarily have had their sig abilities limited. Maybe you were caught up in one of those sweeps without realizing it.

I think you should send a PM to htismaqe or morphius and check on it. I'm sure with your artistic talent you could come up with a pretty good sig... and you'd be able to make sig bets as well if you want.

[BucEyedPea]

The other possibility that I can think of is that your original sig was too big. I know that we've periodically gone through purges of oversized sigs and those who don't comply voluntarily have had their sig abilities limited. Maybe you were caught up in one of those sweeps without realizing it.

I think you should send a PM to htismaqe or morphius and check on it. I'm sure with your artistic talent you could come up with a pretty good sig... and you'd be able to make sig bets as well if you want.


No it wasn't too big, 'er I think, I couldn't find any specs so I just looked at the other ones to not go bigger.
I appreciate your concern, and I do have a few I could use and a new one I'm trying to complete, but I don't like to make a fuss when I consider myself a guest in foreign country. LOL!

I can live with it. Besides my old Buc board, that fizzled out is trying to make a comeback and I can use something there. I'm also doing a logo for them too.


http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/6492/iluvskip6wr.jpg

Because Skip was hazing me...which I thought was pretty funny.

[Cochise]

I can't have a sig here. I'm not a Chiefs fan. Although I don't know why listpencil gets to have one.

I also told you I don't bet on my team or my politicians.
I've made no claims to any Paul victory. I have hope.

So did milk go up again this week?

I dunno, I probably haven't had a drink of milk in 15 years.

Besides, I like sticking it to Big Milk and their obscene profits & price gouging.

[Cochise]

I think you should send a PM to htismaqe or morphius and check on it. I'm sure with your artistic talent you could come up with a pretty good sig... and you'd be able to make sig bets as well if you want.

She will do nothing of the sort! As Mike Tyson would say, she's a scared coward :p

[BucEyedPea]

I dunno, I probably haven't had a drink of milk in 15 years.

Besides, I like sticking it to Big Milk and their obscene profits & price gouging.
Heh! Now that's the beauty of having the CPI on hand....you don't even need to buy the product to know if its price went up again! :)

[Mr Luzcious]

Man, if Ron Paul doesn't win this one, considering the competition, thats really going to be sad.

[BucEyedPea]

Man, if Ron Paul doesn't win this one, considering the competition, thats really going to be sad.
August 23, 2007

Ron Paul Wins Five Straw Polls, Mainstream Media Remains Silent
Whether it's Washington, Alabama, New Hampshire, or South Carolina, the message is the same. We want our freedom, our rights, our money, and our country back, and we're willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen. Thousands are driving from all over their states to show support resulting in straw poll victories for Ron Paul with percentages as high as 81%. [Guess the other candidates have no real enthusiastic supporters] Dr. Paul has placed in a total of 16 straw polls now, tying him with Romney and thrusting him far beyond Giuliani in terms of visible support, and not a word about the trend can be heard from the mainstream media.

What really happened? (http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/archives/cat_politicselectionscorruption.html)


Thought this guys analysis of Iowa Straw Poll was unique:
Huckabee and Paul winners in Iowa in terms of net gains (http://www.usaelectionpolls.com/2008/articles/ames-straw-poll-results.html)
Look at this analysis toward the bottom. Romney actually had a negative gain with Huckabee getting 220% and Paul 350%!

Interesting site...some bad scoop on Julie and Mitt.

Also says 20% of GOP voters are undecided.

[Cochise]

I wonder how widely reported the minor straw polls comprising 300 people usually are.

[BucEyedPea]

I guess about the same as some of the 300-400 samplings of conventional polls.

LOL! That wasn't really my point. That was the name of the article.

My point was to let Mr. Luzcious know that Paul has won some...in fact quite a few.


Wonder if we add up all those 300 apiece if it totals some of the other msm's samplings. Sure isn't a hopeful sign for the top tier that no one's showing up. ROFL

[BucEyedPea]

Illinois Straw Poll Shenanigans

But the real story of the day was how McKenna & crew reacted to a large number of new Republicans who turned out in support of Ron Paul’s message of Goldwater republicanism. According to rules established by the ILGOP, voting was to take place between 11am and 4pm. While Rep. Paul finished in 3rd place behind undeclared candidate Fred Thompson, it was discovered that as late as 3:30 pm Ron Paul was in 2nd place with 151 votes to Fred’s 148. Curiously, ILGOP staffers then announced the polls would remain open until 4:30pm 'because it rained earlier,' then they said the polls would close at 4:15pm. But alas, at 4:08pm they got the results they wanted and closed the polls. We’ll let our readers draw their own conclusions.

Yup and Mitt Romney opened his wallet and bused 8 ac busses in. Meanwhile, others had to park a mile away and trudge rainy fairgrounds to vote.


Yep the Hawks hate Paul (http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/014792.html)

[patteeu]

I guess about the same as some of the 300-400 samplings of conventional polls.

I wouldn't think so. You probably already know this, but there's a world of difference between a scientifically designed poll with sample size X and a poll of X self selected participants.

[BucEyedPea]

Self selected? What's that? Who's doing it? Link?

You still can't get around two things:
1) GOP apathy on the choices with few arriving....unless they get a free bus ride.
2) No msm reporting that those polls were won by Paul despite turnout

[patteeu]

Self selected? What's that?

You still can't get around two things:
1) GOP apathy on the choices with few arriving....unless they get a free bus ride.
2) No reporting that those polls were won by Paul despite turnout

Self selected means that people initiate their own participation (or candidates recruit them) rather than having a sample made up of randomly selected people. It means that the results aren't nearly as representative of the population at large.

I'm not trying to get around anything, btw, I'm just pointing out the difference between the two kinds of polls.

[BucEyedPea]

Self selected means that people initiate their own participation (or candidates recruit them) rather than having a sample made up of randomly selected people. It means that the results aren't nearly as representative of the population at large.

I'm not trying to get around anything, btw, I'm just pointing out the difference between the two kinds of polls.
Some of those conventional or msm media polls are done on likely GOP voters that will vote in a primary if you care to check some of them. The Rasmussen poll was. So I don't see what the big deal is between that and deciding to participate in a straw poll there. Neither are that random. Anyhow, my point was to show Mr Luzcious that Paul did indeed win some straw polls. That was all.

BTW I sent you a PM.

[Cochise]

Self selected means that people initiate their own participation (or candidates recruit them) rather than having a sample made up of randomly selected people. It means that the results aren't nearly as representative of the population at large.

In other words, not scientific.

[go bowe]

In other words, not scientific.invalid, flawed, inaccurate, etc.

[BucEyedPea]

In other words, not scientific.
Then I guess it's just as unscientific as a straw poll because candidates pay to bus people. ROFL

[Taco John]

I wouldn't think so. You probably already know this, but there's a world of difference between a scientifically designed poll with sample size X and a poll of X self selected participants.



Since when do they call you in order to cast your ballot?

[BucEyedPea]

Good point. So Bush winning the past two elections was unscientific too.

[sportsman1]

This whole thing is ran retarded to begin with. Im here in Fort Worthless and cant get into the damn thing. Its nothing like Iowas, nobody is campaigning around town or nothing. The Texas GOP is a screwed up as the rest of the state. Rudy is pracatally demi god here in Fort Worthless anyways. I dont blame Huckabee a bit, I kinda wanted to hear him since I've only been supporting him since he announced but I wasnt going to get to anyways.

[Taco John]

Scientific polls? Are you kidding me? Since when are elections about science? Scientific polls don't measure motivation.

[patteeu]

Since when do they call you in order to cast your ballot?

Candidates do that pretty regularly actually.

[BucEyedPea]

So that's unscientific then too.

[banyon]

No it wasn't too big, 'er I think, I couldn't find any specs so I just looked at the other ones to not go bigger.
I appreciate your concern, and I do have a few I could use and a new one I'm trying to complete, but I don't like to make a fuss when I consider myself a guest in foreign country. LOL!

I can live with it. Besides my old Buc board, that fizzled out is trying to make a comeback and I can use something there. I'm also doing a logo for them too.


http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/6492/iluvskip6wr.jpg

Because Skip was hazing me...which I thought was pretty funny.

I posted this for you before, but I guess you didn't see it:

ChiefsPlanet has some very generous guidelines, 200 pixels tall by 650 pixels wide is more than enough screen real estate for you to express you individuality. That dimension includes your graphics AND any witty text you want to share. If you go over this amount, you may lose your ability to have a signature.

Your sig was 30 pixels too tall. just resize it and you'd be fine.

[BucEyedPea]

Ron Paul places 3rd in Texas straw poll
September 1st, 2007
Ron Paul’s third place finish was a huge success considering the rules of the poll were designed specifically to prevent him from winning. As evidence, take a look at what the sponsor of the event (townhall.com) had to say:

Unfortunately for the Paulistas/Paul Pods, whatever it is they’re called, only registered Republicans who’ve attended one of the last four Texas Republican conventions can vote in the straw poll. Paul may have about 300 supporters out here with signs, but I’ve been unable to find one of them who’s a delegate qualified to vote.

Additionally, they refused to allow Ron Paul delegates in the door:
But the congressman said a bus-ful of his supporters was a little late and was denied entry to the straw poll. “People weren’t allowed to be able to vote?” Mr. Paul exclaimed. “That doesn’t sound fair.”

GOP officials set a hard and fast rule, though, that if you weren’t inside by 10 a.m. to pick up your credentials, too bad. We even had to pull some strings (translation: sweet talk the PR folks) to get our photographer in.

Lew Rockwell says:
The Texas Republican Party set up its straw poll to hurt Ron Paul. That’s why the voters were restricted to past delegates and alternates from Texas Republican conventions, that is neocons and party hacks for the most part. Also, the poll was placed in Ft. Worth, five hours away from Houston and the Gulf Coast, to discriminate against delegates from Ron Paul Land. Ron was supposed to get zero. Instead, he got more than 16%.

The Republican Party of Texas has been controlled by the Bushes since 1980. That means the Ron Paul campaign and all its volunteers and donors can be very proud. This is yet another step upwards in the growth of a movement that is already shaking the world of all the bad guys. Note: Hunter did so well because he alone, of all the warmongering candidates, bothered to show up. BTW, Fred the Late was supposed to win–that was Gov. Perry’s plan–but he was elsewhere, delaying.

Evidence of Gov. Perry’s plan here:
…while Governor Perry could not make it to the event, he sent a pre-recorded message. According to Erik, the Governor said that despite the fact that Texas does not have a presidential candidate, at least a Republican can win the presidential race.

Now I knew Governor Perry was a little bit on the slow side, but to be oblivious to the fact that there is a GOP presidential candidate in your own state? Come on.

Out of approximately 1,400 votes cast, the results:
Duncan Hunter: 534
Fred Thompson: 266
Ron Paul: 217
Mike Huckabee: 83
Rudy Giuliani: 78
Mitt Romney: 61
Ray McKinney: 28
John Cox: 10
John McCain: 8
Sam Brownback: 6
Tom Tancredo: 6
Hugh Cort: 3


Not bad for all the discriminating qualifications to rig this one.
The GOP Establishment is AFRAID of Ron Paul...wonder why if he really has no chance. Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmm?:hmmm:


http://disinter.wordpress.com/2007/09/01/ron-paul-places-3rd-in-texas-straw-poll/

[BucEyedPea]

Here's where it really gets GOOD!

THIS SHOULD BE THE STORY TODAY!
Paul First, Hunter 8th overall in 11 straw polls since Iowa
Rank Candidate………%…….. Votes
1…Ron Paul………….24.9%….782
2…Mitt Romney…….16.0%….583
3…Fred Thompson…18.9%….483
4…Rudy Giuliani………8.1%….247
5…Sam Brownback…..4.4%….169
6…Mike Huckabey…….5.3%….131
7…John McCain…………3.0%….111
8…Duncan Hunter…….14.1%….34
9…Tommy Tancredo……0.5%….16
…..Other…………………. 4.2%….22
…..Total………………….100%….2578
Last 11 Straw Polls included:


From same link as previous post with original source:

http://ok4ronpaul.ashlux.com/wiki/index.php?title=2008_Presidential_GOP_straw_poll_results

[Fishpicker]

Additionally, they refused to allow Ron Paul delegates in the door:
But the congressman said a bus-ful of his supporters was a little late and was denied entry to the straw poll. “People weren’t allowed to be able to vote?” Mr. Paul exclaimed. “That doesn’t sound fair.”

GOP officials set a hard and fast rule, though, that if you weren’t inside by 10 a.m. to pick up your credentials, too bad. We even had to pull some strings (translation: sweet talk the PR folks) to get our photographer in.


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there is no rule... at least not that they made public. these people preregistered and prepaid. the transaction has already been completed. their credentials are inside however. at the very least, these people should get their $ back.

The security guard is busted lying at the end of this video. in the last 20 seconds of the video, it shows the official bulletin/receipt for the poll. the most pertinent line reads:

"Date & Time: Saturday, September 1, 2007 10:00 A.M."

there is no cutoff or deadline mentioned.

[BucEyedPea]

I said before fishpicker, that GOP leadership dirty tactics will be part of bringing Paul down if he starts to gain momemtum, gets too big or gets too much publicity by winning a good size straw poll. Can't have that happen.

Wasn't it the GOP who threatened Perot when it looked like he could win it?

Meanwhile the Nazi party, both branches (Dem & Pub) are planning another preemptive military action when the IAEA-Iran are resolving outstanding issues.

[Adept Havelock]

Meanwhile the Nazi party, both branches (Dem & Pub) are planning another preemptive military action when the IAEA-Iran are resolving outstanding issues.

Oooh! I really hope that doesn't interfere with the torchlight rally and book burning scheduled for next week!

My nieces and nephews would be so disappointed if the Kristallnacht reenactment was postponed.

They just love that guy in the disney-esque Goering suit. "Fat man, fat man" they scream...

[BucEyedPea]

Oooh! I really hope that doesn't interfere with the torchlight rally and book burning scheduled for next week!

My nieces and nephews would be so disappointed if the Kristallnacht reenactment was postponed.

They just love that guy in the disney-esque Goering suit. "Fat man, fat man" they scream...
You mean Kristol-nachts dontcha'?

[Adept Havelock]

You mean Kristol-nachts dontcha'?



Heh, not bad. Bennett Cerf would be proud.