April 16, 2007
Romney's Straw Poll Victories, Rudy's Finance Team, Edwards Outapces Clinton In WNY
Over the weekend, ex-MA Gov. Mitt Romney won unofficial county straw polls in Horry County, York County and Orangeburg County, South Carolina. (Results after the jump).
This isn't an accident: Romney's South Carolina campaign is targeting these county meetings and packing them with allies. Straw poll victories are always worth a good newspaper clip, they help the campaign test its field organization in key counties, and they help generate momentum.
Romney has won six of the straw polls so far. John McCain, by our count, has won three, atlhough McCain advisers are quick to say that they're organizing elsewhere and don't need artificial bumps like these.
Major upcoming GOP straw polls include:
April 16: Anderson And Pickens Counties April 19: Richland County (with guests Romney, Giuliani, Hunter, Huckabee, Cox, Brownback and Frank Keating (for McCain). April 21: Greenville April 28: Lexington
2. Ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani unveiled his national finance executive committee today and a list of three dozen regional finance chairs. Bigger names include Carl Icahn, ex-VA Gov. candidate Jerry Kilgore, MD developer John C. Reith, ex-IL Gov candidate Ron Gidwitz, Nat'l Assoc. of Wholesaler-Distributors pres. Dirk Van Dongen and Paul Singer, general parter of Elliott Associates.
3. It appears as if Ex-Sen. John Edwards outraised Sen. Hillary Clinton in Western New York. [MARC AMBINDER]
Horry Co.
Romney 54
McCain 31
F. Thompson 12
Giuliani 11
Hunter 9
Gingrich 6
Huckabee 5
Brownback 2
Tancredo 1
Undecided 9
York Co.
Romney 36
Huckabee 22
Giuliani 10
F. Thompson 9
McCain 6
Gingrich 3
Brownback 1
Gilmore 1
Orangeburg Co.
Romney 6
McCain 5
Brownback 3
Sanford 1
Rice 2
Giuliani 1
Huckabee 1
Tancredo 1
Posted at 04:08 PM
Comments
WNY is pretty conservative, save Rochester and Buffalo city centers. Seeing as WNY were the only three Congressional districts to re-elect their Republican Congressmen in NY, I would actually say Hillary's lack of support there boosts her liberal creds and hurts Edwards.
james | 04.16.07 05:01 PM
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Wow, now Romney has actually finally pulled even with McCain after he got left in the dust of the heart of the Bible belt in SC-Spartanburg.
This is a joke. Add Spartanburg. I have been in SC since 68 with Nixon and Agnew, and can say with certainty this is McCain land. More so than it was for Bush in 2000.
Romney guys can not spin their way out of the reality of using junk science. No one wants Romney here but a few and they have been bought.
The Auditor | 04.16.07 05:01 PM
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"artifical bumps" . . . "packing them with allies".
Truth is, everyone wants to win these straw polls (which of these guys want to lose ANYTHING?). That Romney is gaining support and momnetum is unmistakable. He's winning these strawpolls for a reason. Any "mobilization" by his campaign's staff is what all the candidates do (or wish they could do better).
Jeff Fuller | 04.16.07 08:47 PM
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Well MR. Auditor,
I have been in SC all of my life, and SC is not McCain Country. People like Governor Jim Edwards, Congressman Tommy Hartnett, Senator Jim DeMint, Kathy Bigham, Rick Adkins, Warren Tompkins and others are among the conservative standard bearers in SC. He is winning straw polls in McCain's stronghold of Charleston(where only DELEGATES could vote.) And Romney is now in a statistical dead heat in SC, and has raised the most money out of all of the GOP Field in SC(as well as the nation.)
But yeah you are right-"noone likes Romney" Look forward to you joining the team when he wins the Primary.
PalmittoState | 04.17.07 10:19 AM
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poor Jeff, lost in a dream world.
Carol McKinley | 04.17.07 11:01 AM
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It HURTS Edwards that the most massive fundraising machine in the history of modern politics can't raise more money in its HOME state?
Keep off the kool-aid, pal. This is pretty significant for Edwards. Furthermore, if you look at policies and positions, I would say Clinton is considerably more conservative than Edwards.
Cameron | 04.17.07 11:31 AM
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Saying Romney is in a "statistical dead heat" is as absurd as saying he's a "lifelong hunter". Anyone in their right mind looking at statistics of a straw poll that have him at anything above 0-8% is a poll where we all know he's spent some money stacking up lackeys in hotel rooms to vote for him.
It's over.
Carol McKinley | 04.17.07 12:22 PM
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Dudes....if SC is "McCain County", then why hasn't he shown his face at any of these SCGOP straw-polls so far???
Jim | 04.17.07 01:43 PM
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This was official polling in SC, not straw polls. And in most counties only delegates can vote, and you have to be elected a delegate to your county convention from your precinct. So learn about how politics works before you start arguing stuff again.
Thanks
PalmittoState
PalmittoState | 04.17.07 05:10 PM
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So Romney packs county conventions with lackeys? Well, I will vote for him this weekend and I'm no paid-for lackey. McCain is NOT going to win SC and may even show so badly he pulls out of the race after 3rd or worse in the SC primary.
curmudgeon | 04.17.07 11:19 PM
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I think Romney will continue to do well. His messages are in the same chords with many of the everyday people. He has a lot of quality volunteers and works hard. To me, I think the MR in Mitt Romney can become MR as in MR. President.
Don Nevada | 04.19.07 02:45 AM
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Indeed PalmettoState everyone is entitled to their opinion, as you have expressed. But truth is that Romney has not stepped up and shown courage on the war. Is it because he lacks the courage it takes to make unpopular decisions, polling, or a lack of courage.
McCain is consistent, and more so than others. Romney is just not qualified on international, and military issues. Smart guy, nice guy, but what does he know about war? And counter-terrorism?
The smear campaigns employed in 2000 are expected from the handlers of Romney, but much like other hacks the method is known. Spread rumours and garbage. i think you will find an interesting result as most are known, and the handprints identified from 2000.
The Auditor | 04.19.07 04:28 AM
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I look forward to seeing Romney,Giuliani, and others stand up in the face of adversity. McCain is well versed on all issues, and a great leader.
Lets see the others make such an unpopular stand. The other Republican are dodging the most important issue and the Democrats are pounding him, but in the interest of the nation, John McCain tells you what you need to hear not what you want to hear.
Hunter is a good man, just not as well versed as McCain.
Hey palmetto who is standing up to the Democrats apparently alone and concerning national security once again. Pure heart, and true American spirit. But at this point most that do no stand up for our national security sound like they are propagandist for the terrorists, and failure to address in a straight forward fashion is just plain politics. Straight Talk is here, it never left Senator McCain, and it most certainly never left CMDR McCain. Heart is what makes this country great.
What is Romney's position on Iraq, time line the enemy can hold out till and gives them hope, or upon reflection should we not have listened and used 500,000 ground troops. Rest assured as CINC a well educated and experienced military man is much better than a civilian that has never had any member of his family serve. In fact, his bloodline has left the country because it did not believe in standing firm. Now, let us stand strong and not give the bad guys the illusion that we lack the courage to stand tall against a tough opponent that limited actions have caused to remain. War as Sen. McCain knows is serious and when fought should be fought to win, not halfway like in Vietnam. Remember, Eisenhower comitted 500+ advisors, Kennedy 13,500, john committed rouyghly 480,000 and Nixon put the heat on them to end a drawn out war with putting the firepower down with using our muscle. John McCain and many other were right about hitting them with 500,000 if we went to war. How does the Governor feel about the surge and support of increased troops and the Phoenix program. I would love to see him make a stand like a man, an American that does not come from a bloodline that has ran from it's country. I heard romney was proffering a time table, is that prudent? Yes, terrorist, we will leave in 3 months so you just have to last till then sounds like Romney's words.
McCain is going to out tact Romney everywhere. watch, and try to quit naming evveryone and their brother a VP candidate, rather cheesey it is to do that. But that is the nature of the flip flopper. If you can't stand firm with conviction in your beliefs are you trustworthy.
This is courage and character below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzxUnjI082c
The Auditor | 04.19.07 06:14 AM
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