Thread: Republicans, protesters gear up for first Texas straw poll

Mon, Aug. 20, 2007

Republicans, protesters gear up for first Texas straw poll
By ANNA M. TINSLEY
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
FORT WORTH -- It's Texas' turn.

Now that Iowa Republicans have made their presidential pick in the first straw poll of the 2008 campaign, the spotlight is expected to shift to Texas and who Republicans here say would be the best choice to keep their party in the White House.

In less than two weeks, thousands of devout Republicans from across the state are expected to gather in Fort Worth to vote in the Townhall.com Presidential Straw Poll.

So far, three key candidates -- Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani and John McCain -- have declined to attend, and now some behind-the-scenes squabbles could threaten some of the event's funding, even as agendas are being printed, hotel rooms are being booked and registration is expected to wrap up Friday.

Meanwhile, thousands of protesters are planning to set up camp outside the Fort Worth Convention Center, where the inaugural straw poll will be held Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.

Organizers announced plans in February to hold the straw poll in Fort Worth, saying that without a Bush on the ticket, it's time to measure Texans' support for other GOP candidates.

They say they anticipate a large turnout, though it's not likely to rival Iowa's 14,000-plus voters.

"Iowa has almost a 30-year head start on us, but ... anytime you invite Texas Republicans to show their Texas GOP pride, they answer the call," said Hans Klingler, communications and political director for the Texas Republican Party. "This is our maiden voyage."

Come one, come all

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Surfside, the only Texan in the straw poll, has kicked off a new effort to try to win it.

His staffers are encouraging supporters to call 17,000 potential delegates and encourage them to register and attend. They are also reaching out to Paul supporters in other states to help boost his turnout at the poll.

"We need to do this NOW in order to get these folks to Fort Worth, possibly on buses from around the state," a message on Paul's Web site reads. "Please recruit yourself and friends to help us do this job!"

For some candidates, the straw poll may provide a chance to pump energy into a lagging campaign, said Jim Riddlesperger, a political science professor at Texas Christian University.

About 75 media outlets have signed up to cover it, which could bring sizable publicity for the winner.

"There are two or three candidates who are gasping for air, and this could give them new life," Riddlesperger said. "Maybe if they do well here, it could keep them in the game a little longer."

Klingler declined to disclose how many people have registered and the number of corporate sponsorships and hotel rooms booked until Friday's online registration deadline passes.

In addition to Paul, Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and California Rep. Duncan Hunter are expected to attend, according to state GOP records.

Getting ready

GOP leaders are trying to make sure everything is ready for the big event, working on everything from agendas and programs to a final push to get people registered.

They've been so busy they couldn't even send anyone to the Iowa Straw Poll on Aug. 11, where Romney came out on top.

All this has happened as one corporate sponsor, Lockheed Martin, has expressed concern about its $10,000 donation to the event.

"Since the scope of the event has changed, we're re-evaluating our participation at this time," company spokesman Joe Stout said.

Stout commented after another Lockheed Martin worker was quoted in an online newsletter as saying that the company is disappointed that the "top tier" candidates won't be present. And some have expressed concern that local Republican leaders such as U.S. Rep. Kay Granger aren't part of the event.

"Lockheed Martin sponsored the poll early because it is being held in our hometown and we do support the political process," Eric Fox, senior director of government relations for Lockheed Martin, told the Quorum Report. "We are an eyelash from asking for the full 10K back."

Stout said Fox's comments did not necessarily reflect the position of Lockheed Martin. Fox did not return calls from the Star-Telegram. Granger's office has since said she will have a speaking role at the straw poll, although the details are still being worked out.

Klingler said the party appreciates the sponsors and volunteers who are helping.

"Lockheed Martin is [a] valued corporate partner in this event. Any discussion of resources donated we believe are between that partner and RPT," Klingler said, referring to the Republican Party of Texas.

Planned protests

As many as 5,000 protesters from across the nation, including parents of troops who died in war, and Iraq veterans opposed to the war, are expected to show up. A block has been set aside for protests on Main Street between Eighth and Ninth streets.

"We are calling this the American People's Poll on Iraq and the Texas Town Hall," said Alyssa Burgin, spokeswoman fro the Austin-based group Texans for Peace, which is helping organize the protest. "We want everyone to see how many people there are in the U.S. who are opposed to the course in Iraq.

"If you can just win them over to your side ... that's what we're trying to do. One citizen at a time, one officeholder at a time. ... We want to make them understand the best thing they can do to support the troops is to bring them home."

Final details

At the downtown Renaissance Worthington hotel, the straw poll's hotel headquarters, officials are also getting ready.

"Texas hasn't really had to weigh in on a candidate for eight years," said Bob Jameson, general manager for the hotel. "To be able to have a variety of candidates to look at and to know better, it's a great opportunity for the state."

And local Republican leaders recruiting volunteers to staff registration booths say they are excited about the poll.

"This will energize the party," said Stephanie Klick, chairwoman of the Tarrant County Republican Party. "It will give them an opportunity to lift up the hood, kick the tires and get a close and personal look at some of the candidates.

"This may be one of the few times we have to see the candidates in Texas."

Staff writer Aman Batheja contributed to this report.

Anytime you invite Texas Republicans to show their Texas GOP pride, they answer the call. This is our maiden voyage.

STRAW POLLS

Nonbinding straw polls are geared to informally gauge public opinion about whom the party should nominate.

Some say they are called straw polls because of the old saying about how straws thrown in the air can show which direction the wind blows.

The origin of the first poll is debated. Some say the first such poll was in the early 1800s, after the congressional caucus nomination system was gone. Others point to 1936, when Gallup, Roper and Crossley conducted polls on the race between Franklin Roosevelt and Alf Landon. Still others note presidential straw polls of the Literary Digest in the early 1900s.

The best-known current straw poll is the one held by the Iowa Republican Party. It started in 1979 as a way to raise money for the party. That year, with about 1,500 people participating, George H.W. Bush beat out former Texas Gov. John Connally in the poll. By 1999, when Texas Gov. George W. Bush and billionaire publisher Steve Forbes were on the ballot, attendance swelled to 40,000.

This year's Iowa Straw Poll drew more than 14,000 voters. Mitt Romney was first, with 31.5 percent of the vote. Mike Huckabee came in second, with 18.1 percent, and Sam Brownback came in third, with 15.3 percent. Texas' Ron Paul came in fifth, with 9.1 percent, and Rudy Giuliani, who has said he's not attending any straw polls, drew 1.3 percent. John McCain, who also didn't attend, drew even less, 0.7 percent. Since then, former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, who finished sixth with 7.3 percent, has dropped out of the race.

Sources: The Public Opinion Quarterly, The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, Star-Telegram research

TOWNHALL.COM PRESIDENTIAL STRAW POLL

What: A nonbinding straw poll to informally gauge public opinion about who should win the party's nomination.

When: Aug. 31-Sept. 1

Where: Fort Worth Convention Center, 1201 Houston St.

Who: Attendees must have been delegates or alternate delegates to at least one of the past four Republican state conventions or one of the last two Republican National Conventions. About 41,000 Texans are eligible to attend.

Cost: Delegates who preregister at www.texasgop.org before Friday pay $50. In-person registration costs $75; guests pay $25.

Source: Texas Republican Party

Anna M. Tinsley, 817-390-7610
atinsley@star-telegram.com

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/207628.html

I am a conservative Republican and am absolutly ashamed of the Republican party.

If we as a party push for a person that is not against Illegal Immigration ..... They will not ever; ever get my vote

Stand up people: your country is going down the Shi_ _ er