Poll may generate $1 million for Iowa GOP

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Associated Press

Published Friday | July 20, 2007
Poll may generate $1 million for Iowa GOP

DES MOINES — Iowa Republican Party officials predicted Thursday that next month's straw poll would draw 40,000 people and raise at least $1 million for the state party.

Eight candidates are scheduled to speak at the Aug. 11 straw poll in Ames, and 11 candidates will be on ballots. The ballots will cost $35 each.

Chuck Laudner, executive director of the Republican Party of Iowa, said he based his projection of money and turnout on the 1999 straw poll.

Laudner said officials have worked to ease the lines for those casting ballots, a major problem in the 1999 straw poll won by then-Gov. George W. Bush. There will be up to 60 polling places, and people must show they are Iowa residents to be eligible to vote.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=10083110

[billyoc]

1. Straw Poll Tax. n/t

[Eagle_Eye]

2. Republicans are the party of the rich

Just fork over the dollars, and you too can participate in the republican agenda

[Ganja Ninja]

3. Paying to vote? Now that's democracy GOP style.

With a very small "d".

[MaineDem]

5. Actually, it's a fund raiser

Totally nonbinding.

I know Democratic groups that do the same thing as a way to raise money. It's all in fun and it's sometimes advertised as a pay-to-vote thing.

[Demeter]

4. I'm Betting People Don't Show Up

This is Iowa they're talking about, folks. See the Music Man. And none of these GOP candidates could shine the shoes of Robert Preston, the original spellbinder, let alone his cheap knock-off, Ronald Reagan.