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The past week in politics pertaining to the 2008 Presidential campaign had something for nearly every interest. The Dems were finishing a nine day prance from the last YearlyKos (2nd of 2) to some sort of organized labor rally to an appointment with a homosexual advocacy group. And the DNC was foolish enough to attempt throwing an insult at the Iowa Straw Poll. During a three stop pitch and pander party the Dems launched a promo with website featuring the phrase ‘none of the above’ as the central theme. Apparently the idea was to claim the 23% undecided in the GOP base was the higher than the largest poll % of any GOP candidate. It would have been funny had they not failed in doing the math. But then, these Dems are the same on again, off again education reformers who can’t do math.

There little promo includes the following:

Poll: Most Republicans Pick ‘None of the Above’ for President
“However, a majority, 23 percent, say that they will not or cannot say who they will vote for in the upcoming election. Compared to the poll on the Democratic side where only 13 percent were undecided, the polls show an apprehensive attitude towards the current GOP roster.”

The poor Dems don’t realize that 23% of anything is not the most. For that leaves 77% on the other side. In this case the 23% would not be a majority either, but a plurality. And some of these people are involved in tasks that affect public funds. That explains a lot.

The highlight of the GOP campaigns last week was the Iowa Straw Poll. By now nearly everyone has provided a take on the outcome and most echo the pundit-like character of opinions before the event. If the 1987 straw poll had several thousand voters, the 1995 had about 11,000 and the all time high was recorded at 23,685 in 1999, why do some say it was a low turnout in 2007 with over 14,000 votes?

It is understandable that those opposed to GOP candidates would pan the significance of the straw poll. It may even be understandable for GOP supporters to express dissatisfaction over three candidates not showing up. But it would be more correct for conservatives and members of the GOP to express displeasure not at the straw poll but the three candidates who did not see fit to compete. Say what you want but if the three candidates most often stated as the top three contenders in national polls viewed the Iowa Straw Poll as a threat, it says more about their campaigns than the Iowa Straw Poll. If you want party unity for general elections and to attract votes from Independents and disaffected Democrats, get in the game. Former Governors have been quite successful winning the White House for a few decades; not so much for Senators or Mayors.

Mike Huckabee did okay for himself in the straw poll. Sam Brownback may have been surprised based on the chances most gave him. And if Huckabee and Brownback did okay, the same can be said of Tom Tancredo. But the numbers below fourth place are too thin for anyone. It is a wonder the three geniuses declined to compete. There is a chance they would have been in the top four also. That may have been bad news for the three just mentioned. So it looks like Giuliani, McCain and Fred Thompson did a favor for Huckabee, Brownback and Tancredo. Who were the bright ones that wasted their $35.00 ballots on the three that didn’t show?

Quotes from Saturday’s speeches are listed below in order of the candidates rank in the poll results. While there is no reason to believe these quotes were instrumental in the outcome, with that information they are more interesting than when shown alone.

“What brought us here is that change begins in Iowa and change begins today.”
- Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney

“Let me make it very clear today, I’m not the best-funded candidate in America. I can’t buy you. I can’t even rent you.”
- Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee

“I have never voted for a tax increase and I’ll certainly never sign one. I think we’re taxed to the max.”
- Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback

“This is our culture. Fight for it. This is our flag. Pick it up. This is our nation. Take it back.”
- Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo

“Our campaign is all about freedom, prosperity and peace.”
- Texas Rep. Ron Paul

“If congress passes the Fair Tax, I will sign it before the ink is dry and I want people to know that.”
- Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson

“”
Fred Thompson

“”
Rudy Giuliani

“The heart of the Republican party is not with the people who are selling out our industry to China and the rest of the world.”
- California Rep. Duncan Hunter

“”
John McCain

“Why am I running for president? Because I want results. I have an agenda to get results.”
- Illinois businessman John Cox

In the weeks to come, regardless of your political persuasion, pay attention to the candidates selection of talking point and issues selected for each venue. What do they speak about and are they getting off topic as determined by the public. They may want to stay on message. That’s fine, but call ‘em on it when there is an opening and tell them to address what is important to you. All the issues should be discussed. Not just the prepackaged, polling research tested canned speeches we all hear too often.

Pay attention. Stay involved. It’s your future too. But don’t only think of yourself. Leave a little room for others.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

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This entry was posted on Monday, August 13th, 2007 at 12:26 pm and is filed under Public Affairs, wordpress, Politics, campaign, election, GOP, Democrats. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.