Iowa

Word today in the Des Moines Register is that Giuliani has snubbed the Iowa Ames Straw Poll and will opt to run on his celebrity status as opposed to grassroots support (my interpretation; AKA why compete when you are going to lose?).

Some of the commenters seemed to support this move which engendered this interesting response from the Flying Dutchman (I assume of this blog) as to the importance of the straw poll, which I wholeheartedly endorse:

"Rick, Your post is puzzling. Due to the frontloading of the Presidential Primary process, the candidate whom wins the early states of Iowa and NH will go into Tsunami Tuesday with a groundswell of support."

"Look at the case of Kerry in 04. He won Iowa..took that momentum..won New Hampshire big, and from there it was a fait accompli that he would win the nomination."

"The Iowa Straw Poll this year is limited to voting ONLY from Iowans...the only year that the Straw Poll was open to anyone was 1995...so you're wrong on that assertion."

"The Straw Poll is a test of organizational strength. If a campaign can get people there..get them to vote for them..its pretty indicative of the grassroots level of support that a candidate has built in Iowa."

"As I stated earlier..Giuliani has only visited the state 6 times since November 04...some of his opponents have been here nearly 5 times as much as Giuliani has in the same period. He has no Iowa office..He has very few Iowa staffers."

"Giuliani is starting to make the same mistakes that McCain did in 2000. He alienated Iowans..and as a result..Iowans decided not to support him..and doomed McCain's chances in 2000."

"Rick, I'm going to bet that you're not an Iowan. Otherwise, you'd understand what the caucuses mean. We're the testing ground for those who seek to be President. If someone can't come here..face people, look em in the eye and tell them what they believe in...nine times out of ten..they've failed to become President."