March 01, 2007
Spartanburg Straw Poll Tonight: A Preview
By most measures, tonight’s Spartanburg County GOP WH ’08 straw poll is not a big deal, despite being the first of its kind in South Carolina. Party leadership expects between 1200 and 1500 to show up tonight (what one local activist called “the core of the base”), but that only boils down to a handful of people at each of Spartanburg County’s 92 participating precincts. Nonetheless six campaigns have sent out mailers, some have bought advertisements, and others have sent campaign staff to the area in preparation for tonight’s event.
So what would make news at tonight’s straw poll?
-If McCain comes in third or below: Talk about great expectations, especially in this state.
-Same for Giuliani. If he comes in third or below with his high name ID, they maybe southern conservatives aren’t willing to overlook America’s Mayor’s social positions.
-If Romney comes in first, then it might be proof that conservatives in this area are buying his shtick.
-If any of the lesser known’s (Cox, Hunter, even Brownback) take the whole thing.
After the jump, check out the South Carolina ground game of the six campaigns that are making an effort tonight. Results will be carried lived on Fox News at 9 PM [SHIRA TOEPLITZ].
Sen. John McCain
The most advanced field team in the state for a WH ’08 campaign, McCain’s exploratory cmte bought a round of targeted robo calls to supporters in preparation for tonight. According to spokesperson Adam Temple, the cmte also sent out a letter from SC AG Henry McMaster to supporters in the area urging them to go to the straw poll.
Last visit to the region: Feb. 18.
Paid SC staffers: 11.
SC volunteers: “Hundreds” have signed up statewide in the past few weeks, according to Temple.
Ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani
American’s Mayor came relatively late into the game in this county (well, especially late compared to everywhere else), but got great ink last week for a visit with local firefighters. Yet even one of his supporters concedes that two months after Giuliani announced, “It’s not a surprise the way our states aren’t organized the way the McCain camp is.”
Last visit: Feb. 21.
Paid SC staff: 2.
ex-MA Gov. Mitt Romney
He’s been running television ads in the area, headlined a major dinner Thursday and according to the local Spartanburg paper, the Co. GOP Chair might be a fan.
Last visit: Feb. 22.
Paid SC staff: 10.
Sen. Sam Brownback
AP’s Davenport says Brownback’s been working the crowd hard with phone calls and mailers.
Last visit: Feb. 26.
Rep. Duncan Hunter
As expected it’s a shoestring operation, but volunteer Hunter volunteer communications director Roy Tyler has been camped out at the Marriot for at least the last weak in preparation for tonight. The campaign has also put together an information line for activists
Last visit: Feb. 23.
Paid SC staff: 0
SC volunteers: 25 to 30, says Tyler.
Chicago businessman John Cox
Cox SC Coordinator Dan Herren told us the campaign has bought targeted mail throughout the state, radio ads on three AM stations, robo calls and has 400 to 500 volunteers waiting in the wings statewide.
Last visit: Mid-January.
Paid SC staff: 3
SC volunteers: 75 for tonight’s event, says Herren.
Posted at 11:24 AM
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Jessica | 01.29.08 09:17 AM
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ccl-onlinetr | 02.03.08 06:47 PM
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