March of the Strawmen
September 1st, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Today’s Republican presidential straw poll has been bizarre. And it wasn’t just the street theater surrounding the Fort Worth Convention Center. Inside, the event itself felt disjointed and oddly out of whack.
The straw poll had all the trappings of a typically well-organized, well-attended Texas GOP gathering: there were the delegates draped in red; the exhibit hall full of booths from myriad right-wing groups and candidates; some truly wing-nut positions slathered across bumper stickers and banners (one Tom Tancredo banner proclaimed: “Murder + Rape +Terrorists + Tax Burden=Illegal immigrants. Isn’t it time to secure America?”)
While it had the look of a mini state party convention, the energy that usually pulses through such gatherings of Texas Republican activists was missing. The grassroots of the party are not happy.
“There is so much apathy,” said delegate Ned Watkins, a senate district chair from Houston. “[Republicans] are angry with the governor and they’re angry with the president.” In fact, when Gov. Rick Perry appeared on a video message to the delegates this morning, there were scattered boos and hisses in the crowd.
Watkins said he’s had trouble enticing GOP precinct chairs in Houston to come to meetings. The grass roots are deeply frustrated with the performance of their elected officials, he said. Delegates here seemed less energized by the applause lines about national security and terrorism. When asked, most said they want officials to curb immigration and to cut government — two issues on which Republicans officeholders have not appeased the base lately.
Party leaders seem to sense the unrest. “I know it’s very easy to become dispirited when officials don’t live up to expectations,” Texas GOP Chair Tina Benkiser told delegates in her opening speech this morning. “But we cannot lose heart.”
The entire morning was consumed by fire-up-the-troops speeches from GOP officials, while images of Ronald Reagan and American soldiers flashed on large screens abutting the stage. (The actual straw poll voting didn’t begin until 12:30.) Every speaker tried to allay the grass-roots’ concerns. “We’re going to be flying into a stiff head wind in 2008,” U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said. “I believe there is one person who can unite all Republicans. Her name is Hillary Clinton.”
It was telling that the party’s rebel and longshot campaign, that of Ron Paul, has been the most visible presence here. Paul received tremendous ovations during his speech today (each candidate had 15 minutes to make his pitch for votes).
With the top candidates missing, the first-ever Texas presidential straw poll seems destined to be a one-day story. Whoever wins may benefit a bit. But by next week, it will likely be forgotten.
The true purpose of the event seemingly was to rally the party’s base. For the first time in a long while, party leaders weren’t making the sale. The GOP activists may well rediscover their energy in the 17 months before election day. But right now, the grassroots are feeling used and abused.
At one point this morning, while Cornyn droned on, one delegate leaned in to another and whispered, “I wish they would just let us vote and go home.”
September 1st, 2007 at 5:06 pm
The Republicans are having problems getting grassroots support?
The Real Republican, Ron Paul, does not seem to have any problem generating tremendous grassroots support. Over 40,000 people have signed up as volunteers through the website ronpaul.meetup.com.
Monday at our last meeting here in Jacksonville, FL we had about 70 of our 167 registered people show up asking what they could do.
If the GOP and Republicans want grassroots support then perhaps the GOP leaders should start acting like Real Republicans. It almost looks like the GOP leadership is intentionally throwing the race to Hillary.
September 1st, 2007 at 5:20 pm
“Two lattes a week for Ron Paul”
Can you join us in this latest push? Send in ten dollars a week for three months. That would be at least 2-4 million dollars a month if all the folks did it. I know, I know, apathy abounds. But Ron Paul supporters are energized, hyper and will do anything to help their candidate. If you want a man who has a chance against a Democrat, you have only one choice. Ron Paul. He has Democrats switching to vote for him, Libertarians, Independents. He is the man for all people.
Get out of the way. Stop hindering his progress. Start reporting on all of the great top three finishes he has enjoyed in straw polls and get behind your one and only chance for a smaller government, fewer taxes, and a REAL end to this war, not just the empty rhetoric that the folks who control Congress professed when they were running.
Do it today. Make a tiny donation. Ten bucks. Eat noodle soup tonight instead of steak. The little tiny donations add up so fast. Come on. Show Ron Paul that a little third place finish hasn’t dampened your spirit!!
September 1st, 2007 at 6:27 pm
“Paul received tremendous ovations during his speech today”
One can not win a horse race without a horse.
One of the horses clearly excites the Republican base. Why can the leadership of the GOP not see it?
Have they forgotten what Reagan stood for?
The base of the GOP clearly thinks Bush is not the answer but they have become a party of NOT Hillary. The Democrats on the other hand have become a party of NOT Bush!
What a world! We know what we are against but not what we are for. And we sure seem lost about how to go after what we are for.
Interesting times!
Go Ron Paul! You make my heart sing!!
September 1st, 2007 at 6:43 pm
“At one point this morning, while Cornyn droned on, one delegate leaned in to another and whispered, ‘I wish they would just let us vote and go home.’”
Amen! Sounds like the Texas GOP needs some new life in the Grand Old Party… Sen. Cornyn does have competition in the March 2008 primary - Larry Kilgore is running for US Senate.
For more information, please contact his campaign at:
info@LarryKilgore.com.
Thank you,
Angela Wittman
Media Coordinator
Larry Kilgore for US Senate
September 1st, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Haha, Ron Paul got standing o’s and still came in a distant third. Sounds like a tempest in a tea kettle.
September 1st, 2007 at 9:44 pm
The GOP really needs a candidate of pure principle to remind America of what the party is supposed to stand for - smaller goverment, individual liberty, personal responsibility, etc. The party needs Ron Paul to bring back the enthusiasm to the party.
September 2nd, 2007 at 1:39 pm
You mean Toby that the huge brewing Tempest has not broken into the little protected tea kettle of hiding withering neocons. The Texas straw poll only allowed prior convention activists vote.
Ron Paul’s numbers are much larger and you and the GOP leadership know it. Keep hiding in your safe little tea kettle…is it all nice warm and happy in there? The incoming Tsunami is going to carry your little teapot away!
September 2nd, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Fred Thompson voted against Gun Owners of America 14 times as a US Senator after taking our money to run his campaign.
Over 39,000 members in 800 groups - and growing by the hour.
Go to RonPaul meetup com to see for yourself.
techpresident com - RonPaul is in a league of his own. Just look at the charts.
Ron Paul has now won five straw polls outright and finnished second place in four others.
RON PAUL, M.D. 2008
donate at ronpaul2008 com and use project code MU0081 (or better yet use your own meetup code).