April 03, 2007
Iowa Office Politics: Mitt Romney
URBANDALE -- Tomorrow, Ex-MA Gov. Mitt Romney will open his Iowa office, a cavernous, purple-carpeted converted corporate office a Drew Tate pass away from I-35. Most of the space is empty, save for a row of tables and chairs, white eraser boards on the roll, and a ring of enclosed offices along the building's northern face. Even on this gray Iowa day, there's plenty of light.
I-35 divides Polk. Co. from Dallas Co., and it's in Dallas Co. where most of the hundreds of volunteers who will grace this space live. Downtown Des Moines, where all the Democrats have set up shop, is a quick 15 minute car ride away. Gentry Collins, Romney's crisp, suit-clad Iowa state director, luxuriates in this space. Real estate prices in downtown Des Moines are twice what they are here, and most of the unoccupied warehouses require hundreds of person-hours and thousands of dollars to render safe for human incubation.
A walk provides a window into the soul of the Romney campaign: efficient, high-tech, friendly, driven. The rows of tables are ready for phone bankers. Where are the phones? There aren't any. Collins decided to buy dozens of cell phones. They're cheaper, don't require a deposit, and can be easily transported to, say, Ottumwa for multi-purposing. They can also be tracked. They don't break as easily. And Collins can avoid haggling with the local phone company.
Romney has 15 paid staff in Iowa right now, and none of them are focused right now on the Iowa precinct caucuses. How's that? The reality in Iowa is that the straw poll in Ames, set for early August, winnows the primary field more than early states do, and if Romney fails to meet expectations in Ames, he will almost certainly fail to win or place in the caucuses. [MARC AMBINDER]
Posted at 12:35 PM
Comments
8-10-07
Mr.Romney, We had originally planned on coming via the Romney bus. But, then a prior commitment
caused us to cancel.
Now, we find that we can attend. But,I don't know your telephone number to catch the bus. We also don't know where to catch the bus.
Can you advise ASAP.
Thank you, Gary Reed
Gary Reed | 08.10.07 03:45 PM
 |
I would like to put a sign in my yard and some buttons! Where do I go to do that? Thank You! michael
[Mitt Romney's biggest fan]
Michael Staub | 10.31.07 06:16 PM
|
i want to no where i can go to get a sign in my yard and some butons
michael | 11.01.07 06:11 PM
|
I live outside Anchorage, AK but would like to put a Mitt Romney sign in my yard. Where can I get one, along with buttons, etc. Thanks, Lisa
lisa fannin | 01.28.08 04:52 PM
|
I live outside Anchorage, AK but would like to put a Mitt Romney sign in my yard. Where can I get one, along with buttons, etc. Thanks, Lisa
lisa fannin | 01.28.08 04:52 PM
|
Post a comment
The Watergate · 600 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20037
202-739-8400 · fax 202-833-8069
NationalJournal.com is an Atlantic Media publication.
