Ron Paul Easily Wins Dubuque Tea Party Presidential Straw Poll

Bests Gingrich 59-24 after five elimination rounds despite Gingrich, Santorum telephone speeches

 

ANKENY, Iowa – 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul handily defeated his competitors in the Dubuque Tea Party presidential straw poll today in a demonstration of his Iowa operation’s organizational muscle and his support among tea party activists.

 Approximately 90 Dubuque Tea Party members were in attendance.  Five elimination rounds of voting took place and in round five Paul won 59 votes, defeating Newt Gingrich who garnered just 24 votes.  Exact numbers from each early round were unavailable.  However, Paul led the voting in all five rounds, for example winning 49 votes in the first round.

 

Paul won despite his competitors Gingrich and Rick Santorum calling into the straw poll.  Gingrich phoned in for five minutes and fielded three questions, and in addition to phoning in for five minutes Rick Santorum was represented by a surrogate.  Dr. Paul was represented by Dubuque Tea Party co-founder Jeff Luecke, who last June endorsed Ron Paul for the presidency.

 

“The Iowa team is gratified that Ron Paul supporters within the Dubuque Tea Party delivered our candidate a decisive victory.  We have always said that Ron Paul and tea party supporters have shared values, and today’s results illustrate crossover support in addition to organizational muscle,” said Ron Paul 2012 Iowa Campaign Chairman Drew Ivers.

 

The Dubuque Tea Party was founded in April 2009 and today it has approximately 500 members.  The first in-person Dubuque Tea Party straw poll was held tonight – Thursday, December 1st – at The Symposium Room of the Dubuque Best Western Plus, located at 3100 Dodge Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52003.  Earlier this year the Dubuque Tea Party in conjunction with Freedom Jamboree conducted an online presidential straw poll from August 25th through September 17th, and Ron Paul won it decisively.

 

Just yesterday, another Dubuque Tea Party co-founder, Michael Heeren, endorsed Ron Paul.

Another Dubuque Tea Party Co-Founder Endorses Ron Paul

Michael Heeren joins Jeff Luecke in boosting Paul on eve of Dubuque Tea Party straw poll

 

ANKENY, Iowa – 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul received the endorsement of a second Dubuque Tea Party co-founder on the eve of the grassroots organization’s first in-person-voting 2012 presidential straw poll.

 

Michael Heeren, a co-founder of the Dubuque Tea Party, commended Paul on his adherence to tea party values and endorsed him for the presidency.

 

“Ron Paul is a champion of the Constitution and has dedicated much of his life to restoring the United States by following the three core principles that we prescribe to in the Dubuque Tea Party.  Dr. Paul believes in fiscal responsibility, free markets and a Constitutionally-limited government.  Since 1976 in the U.S. House of Representatives, every single vote he has made, without exception, can be traced to these principles,” said Mr. Heeren.

 

“Ron Paul is the most consistent candidate and he can restore America to her greatness.  I endorse Ron Paul for President of the United States.,” said Mr. Heeren, who lives in Dubuque and also is a Dubuque County Republican Central Committee Member.

 

When asked whether he was wanted to make clear he was speaking as a private citizen and not as one associated with the Dubuque Tea Party, Mr. Heeren replied, “No, I just want America back on track.”

 

In addition, a Dubuque Tea Party organizer who already publicly supported Dr. Paul came forward to reiterate his pro-Paul stance, citing the 12-term Texas Congressman’s economic policies and integrity.  Jeff Luecke – who endorsed Dr. Paul on June 13, 2011 – felt it appropriate to reiterate his support on the eve of the Dubuque Tea Party straw poll.

 

“As an individual who helped organize and lead the Dubuque Tea Party I personally endorse Texas Congressman Ron Paul as the Republican nominee for President of the United States,” said Mr. Luecke of Oelwein.

 

“Ron Paul is the only candidate in the race who fully and consistently embraces the Tea Party movement’s three core principles of a return to Constitutionally-limited government, fiscal responsibility and free markets.  While other candidates conveniently talk about the Constitution, only Ron Paul lives it with every vote he casts in Congress.  Ron Paul understands and even predicted the monetary collapse coming our way.  He’s the only candidate willing to fix the problem rather than just pay lip service with cleverly-named gimmicks,” said Mr. Luecke.

 

Enrolled in the Republican Party, Mr. Luecke is one of the original co-organizers of the Dubuque Tea Party and currently serves as a precinct captain for the Ron Paul 2012 presidential campaign.  He is affirming his support for Dr. Paul from the standpoint of a private individual and not on behalf of the Dubuque Tea Party.

 

The Dubuque Tea Party was founded in April 2009 and today it has approximately 500 members.  The first in-person Dubuque Tea Party straw poll will be held the evening of Thursday, December 1st at The Symposium Room of the Dubuque Best Western Plus, located at 3100 Dodge Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52003.  The Dubuque Tea Party in conjunction with Freedom Jamboree conducted the Dubuque Tea Party 2012 Presidential Straw Poll from August 25th through September 17th, and Ron Paul won it decisively.  Full results are as follows.

 

Ron Paul – 42.9%

 Rick Perry – 26.2%

 Herman Cain – 11.9%

 Michelle Bachmann – 7.1%

 Mitt Romney – 7.1%

 Newt Gingrich – 2.4%

 Rick Santorum – 2.4%.

 Jon Huntsman, Jr.*

 Buddy Roemer*

 Gary Johnson*

 Thaddeus McCotter*

 

*= 0 votes.

Ron Paul Polling Third in Iowa and New Hampshire

Solid showing among the Hawkeye and Granite States’ likely GOP caucus-goers and primary voters

 

LAKE JACKSON, Texas – 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul polls third among likely Republican caucus-goers in the key first-in-nation state of Iowa, according to a recent American Research Group poll, and different angles to this survey reveal his support may keep him anchored in third place or higher.

 

Congressman Paul also polls third in New Hampshire, according to a recent WMUR/University of New Hampshire poll.

 

In Iowa, Congressman Paul garnered 16 percent of the likely Republican caucus goers surveyed, on the heels of Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich who earned 20 and 27 percent, respectively.  Paul’s third-place showing in the poll is far ahead of past and aspiring top-three competitors.  Pizza baron Herman Cain, Rep. Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum all earned a modest 6 percent of the vote, Texas Gov. Rick Perry earned a mere 5 percent, and just 3 percent of respondents selected Jon Huntsman.  The ARG poll also notes that among likely caucus goers who are already enrolled in the Republican Party, Paul remains a strong third place with 14 percent of the vote, with Gingrich and Romney at 30 and 17 percent, respectively.

 

Also in Iowa, voter self-identification with the Tea Party, or lack thereof, both help Paul remain in the top three or better: Among likely Republican caucus-goers saying they are supporters of the Tea Party, Paul polls in secondplace with 19 percent.  Among likely caucus-goers saying they are not supporters of the Tea Party or that they are undecided about the Tea Party, Paul polls third with 12 percent.  The poll of 600 likely Republican caucus-goers was conducted over November 17th to the 23rd and has a margin of error of +/- 4 percent.

 

In New Hampshire, Congressman Paul is holding strong in third place, within the margin of error of +/- 3.8 percent for second place in this survey of 665 randomly selected adults.  Among likely New Hampshire Republican Primary voters, Paul polls at 12 percent behind Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich who earned 42 and 15 percent, respectively.  As in the Iowa poll, the WMUR/UNH poll shows that other Republican presidential hopefuls failing to place in the top three have modest single-digit results.

 

“These poll results demonstrate that Ron Paul’s support in Iowa and New Hampshire is loyal, solid, and diverse, not subject to the media and pundit-fueled ‘flavor of the week’ whims.  As the finish line approaches, we’re hopeful for a strong showing that reflects this strong base of support and its steadily growing numbers,” said Ron Paul 2012 National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton.

Clay County GOP Chair & Co-Chair Endorse Ron Paul for the Presidency

Kris Thiessen and Josh Davenport prefer Paul

ANKENY, Iowa – The Iowa component of the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign announced today that two Clay County Republican Party officials have endorsed Dr. Paul for President of the United States.

“The reason I was first impressed with Congressman Paul and continue to be is his strong stand to preserve our individual freedoms, personal responsibility and States’ rights, and to limit the power of the federal government,” said Clay County Republican Chair Kris Thiessen.

The first round of federal bailouts and stimulus inspired Ms. Thiessen to organize Spencer’s first Tax Day Tea Party rally.  A small business owner for 25 years, she has been the Clay County GOP chair since July 2010.  Her husband George is a 20-year Navy reservist who served in Afghanistan in 2006 and supports Dr. Paul, as do the couple’s three children.

“I am starting to hear people say, ‘This is the Age of Ron Paul.’  I think they are right.  It’s the age where Americans across the country are saying our government is too big.  Republican candidate Congressman Ron Paul is the only one who will bring sanity to the White House,” said Ms. Thiessen.

Ms. Thiessen publicly endorsed Dr. Paul at his Spencer Town Hall on Tuesday, which attracted 135 supporters and interested voters.

“Ron Paul’s economic plan and his principles of limited government are what our nation needs more than any other political promise that is being touted.  Whether we want to realize and admit it or not, things have really changed economically to the point of threatening our national security,” said Josh Davenport, Clay County Republican Party Co-Chair.

Mr. Davenport is a Baptist pastor in Spencer, as well as a Spencer Tea Party leader. Mr. Davenport says that most people would consider him to be an evangelical fundamentalist Christian, and that he supported Mike Huckabee in the last presidential cycle.  Adding that he likes a lot of what Dr. Paul’s colleague Rep. Michele Bachmann says, he settled on the idea that Dr. Paul has a solid track record.

“So many things have happened that Ron Paul said would happen, what he says makes sense to me and he has a proven legislative track record to prove what he would do as president.  Our nation is tired of the nonsense.  The people don’t want to vote for another party-establishment candidate who won’t dare to make the necessary changes and Ron Paul is the only one who can defeat President Obama in 2012,” said Mr. Davenport.

VIDEO: Former Head of the CIA Bin Laden Unit Michael Scheuer: Ron Paul Is Right

By Chris

Michael Scheuer, the former head of the CIA’s “Bin Laden Unit”, defends Ron Paul’s foreign policy positions that our overseas military empire does the US more harm than good. This is in stark contrast to Monday’s CNN “Tea Party Express” Republican primary presidential debate, where following an attack by neocon former senator Rick Santorum, Tea-o-con members of the studio audience ignorantly boo’ed Ron Paul for explaining the real reasons of Middle-eastern hatred toward the United States.

Boo’ing Ron Paul’s truthful explanation shows the so-called “Tea Party” mainstreamers have a long way to go in differentiating domestic big government from big government abroad, and that unless we face the motivations of our enemies, our overseas militaristic interventionism will continue to make the US a growing target of terrorism. The CIA itself even admits this, calling it “blowback”. Yet neocon talking heads like Santorum continue to mindlessly froth that bombing everything in the Middle East, aside from Israel, will make us safer.

Relevant discussion starts at 2:40 in the video above.

Source: Revolution Super PAC.  Video was included in original press release.

Ron Paul: Foreign Policy Is Economic Policy

By Chris

Leading recipient of military donations suggests that curbing expenditures overseas can ease financial troubles at home.

NORTHBROOK, IL – While most GOP candidates at Monday’s CNN/Tea Party Express Debate obliged by neatly compartmentalizing the issues, Rep. Ron Paul broke from the pack by suggesting, yet again, that foreign policy expenditures impact America’s economic prosperity.

Connecting the dots, Rep. Paul explained that Social Security would be solvent today if money had not been carelessly spent on foreign adventurism and redundant domestic programs. Paul referenced his Social Security Preservation Act, introduced by the Texas congressman seven times since 1999, which aims to safeguard the Social Security trust funds and shield them from the public debt limit.

When asked how Washington, D.C., can balance the budget while protecting programs upon which seniors and others have come to rely, Rep. Paul suggested that our obligations can be met with cuts to the $1.5 trillion in spending on the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, a figure that Brown University has projected may ultimately climb to more than $4 trillion when considering future veterans care expenditures.

“We need to look at our $1.5 billion embassy in Baghdad that’s bigger than the Vatican … our 900 bases around the world,” Paul explained Monday. “That’s where we need to cut.”

“We’re talking about how to pay for a tax cut, but it’s the people’s money!” Paul insisted. “No policing of the world. No nation building. This is the George Bush platform of 2000.”

As in the 2008 election, Rep. Paul enjoys unrivaled support among those who list the military as their employer. FEC’s Q2 2011 records show that he outraised his GOP counterparts’ total military donations by a 2-to-1 margin. Paul also outraised President Obama.

Paul’s performance Monday further validates a key assertion of Revolution PAC’s bombshell ad, “Plastic Men,” released Monday: “Only Ron Paul listens to our founding fathers, who warned that constant war means debt, taxes and the destruction of a republic.”

Revolution PAC is bolstering Ron Paul’s consistent, constitutional message with targeted TV advertising campaigns complemented by billboards and radio ads in key primary states. Proceeds generated by Revolution PAC’s September 19 “Super Bomb” fundraiser will support the airing of the 60-second commercial, “Plastic Men,” in the months to come. Unlimited donations by individuals, businesses and organizations toward that end are being accepted at http://www.revolutionpac.com.

The Revolution PAC seeks to widen the range of allowable opinion in the public square and to bring to the attention of the American public the neglected alternative of freedom, sound money, self-government, and a non-interventionist foreign policy. This is the answer to the big-government progressives and big-government neoconservatives who have brought our exhausted country to the brink of collapse. Our mission is to support the rare political candidate who defends these great American principles in public life.

Source: Revolution Super PAC

Ron Paul Campaign Debuts Latest 2012 Campaign Ad

‘Trust’ contrasts Paul’s consistent conservatism with the record of another leading candidate

LAKE JACKSON, Texas– The Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign announced today the release of its latest advertisement, “Trust.” The sixty second spot emphasizes Paul’s longtime conservative credentials and early support of Ronald Reagan, while pointing out Rick Perry’s former chairmanship of Al Gore’s presidential campaign.

                      

“Congressman Paul has an unparalleled record of championing true conservative principles,” said Ron Paul 2012 Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton. “Dr. Paul’s ideas of limited Constitutional government, sound money and balanced budgets have won the day.”

“Other candidates are trying to parrot Dr. Paul’s principles, but their records prove they cannot be trusted to live up to their rhetoric. Dr. Paul is the only candidate with the credibility and integrity to restore America now.”

The ad also notes the similarities between the candidacies of Paul and Reagan, with both being attacked by the political establishment as “too extreme” and questioning their electability. Reagan, like Paul, was dismissed by the establishment elites. Congressman Paul was one of only four Congressmen to endorse Ronald Reagan against incumbent Gerald Ford and lead the Texas delegation for Reagan to the 1976 Republican National Convention.

The ad will appear in both broadcast and web format, with substantial air-time buys in New Hampshire and Iowa. The spot will also be sent to multiple conservative and TEA Party email lists and appear in banner ads across the internet.

Jesse Benton will be available for interview to discuss the ad and the contrast between Dr. Paul and Governor Perry’s records.

Link to the ad here: http://youtu.be/PXNqcYh0MpA

TIME Magazine: Ron Paul ‘The Prophet’

The September 5th edition of TIME declares Ron Paul “The Prophet.” Writes Alex Altman:

“But in the four years since (the last presidential campaign), the world has changed in mostly grim ways that seem to affirm Paul’s worldview. His vision of an eroding Constitution and a Washington — Wall Street cabal helped spark the Tea Party movement. Conservatives who once sneered at his foreign policy… have grown weary of war. His call for a more accountable and transparent Federal Reserve has morphed from quaint obsession to mainstream Republican talking point in Congress and on the campaign trail.”

Whether addressing the financial crisis, bad Fed policy or questionable foreign policies, TIME rightly notes what Paul supporters have long known and even many Paul critics now grudgingly concede–Ron Paul was right.

Source: Ron Paul Campaign