Republican Corruption at a Straw Poll

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Friday August 10, 2007 · 12:18 PM PDT

2007/08/10 · 12:18

As a democrat, I don't pay much attention to the republican straw poll. So imagine my surprise to learn that the straw poll is basically here is some money for your vote. Oh yes and the candidate gets to provide transportation and barbecue. I wonder if there is alcohol involved?

Where did I learn this? Well from no better source on politics than the Washington Post in the article Romney's Cash Beckons Iowans To Straw Poll where a few paragraphs into the article we learn that:

Held at Iowa State University's Hilton Coliseum, the straw poll has traditionally been intended to bring the state's Republicans together in the summer before the state's pivotal midwinter caucus, raise money for the state party and give an early sign of which candidate has the strongest organization.

This is done by the candidates paying $35 for each voter who the campaign brings to the straw poll to vote.

" 'In New York, we call that a shakedown. What do you call it here?' " Roederer recalls Giuliani asking. "And I said, 'Well, I guess we call it a fundraiser.' "

Want a stipend. Just become an Iowa Romney supporter as is evident with

But Romney's money gives him a huge advantage in a contest that is less about persuading undecided voters and more about bringing warm bodies to Ames. Officials with other campaigns have complained privately that some local party activists have said they would like to support their candidate but felt compelled to back Romney because of the stipends he was offering.

The question that I have is why isn't the democratic party making fun of of republican entrepreneurship in Iowa? This has been going on for years. Bush in 1999 out bid Steve Forbes in the poll. Why weren't there any advertisements of potential Republican voters with dollar signs on the foreheads asking: was your vote bought by George Bush, we know his straw poll votes were.

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