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AMES, Iowa -- Mitt Romney’s chances of winning Iowa could have as much to do with Ron Paul as with Romney himself.
“No one will come back here in four years if Ron Paul wins,” said Craig Wearmouth, an undecided Republican from nearby Ogden.
“We’re worried about the caucuses,” said Norm Hill, also from Ogden and who traveled with Wearmouth to this warehouse of Kinzler Construction to hear Romney speak tonight.
Wearmouth, his wife Sue, Hill, and about a half-dozen other voters of the 400 or so here to hear Romney that First Read spoke with, who said they were undecided, echoed those sentiments. And they are now strongly considering voting for Romney.
For these Republicans, nowhere near the staunchly social conservative Western part of the state, the most important thing is beating Barack Obama, they said.
“He’s a great man, just a fantastic guy,” said Dean Thompson gesturing toward Romney, as Romney shook hands with everyone who wanted to following his speech. “I’d vote for anything that had a chance to get Obama out.”
Thompson said he leans to the libertarian wing of the Republican Party and even voted for Paul at the Ames Straw Poll. But, “I can’t,” he said of Paul. “The way he’s voiced his opinions on Iran – that’s a downfall for me.”
The Wearmouths, Hill, and Thompson all said they were Herman Cain supporters, but are still searching. They like Bachmann and Santorum, but worry about their electability. They like Perry, but said his debate performances were too damaging. And Gingrich just has too much “baggage.”
Romney’s “steady, no extremes,” Thompson said.
Still, none of these undecided had their minds made up on Romney yet. Thompson said he likes that Romney is talking about “spending more than we take in,” but wishes he were a little bolder on tax policy – like a consumption tax (aka Fair Tax) or a more “innovative” flat tax, kind of like, oh, 9-9-9.
But they liked what they heard tonight.
“Yeah,” Wearmouth said. “He was good.”
Thompson put it this way: “He’s the presumptive nominee,” he said, with a shrug of the shoulders, “So….”
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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.Margret Mead
For those people who wish to discredit Dr.Paul as an isolationist.Perhaps you should brush up on our CONSTITUTION!!!Ron Paul is the only candidate that has fought for the document that has made the us the most envied nation in history!No other candidate has fought for personal liberty and freedom as Dr.Paul!Many say they agree with his economical views,yet are afraid of his foreign policies and national defense.First off how can you say you support the troops by sending more and more of them to die.The veterans and active duty military support Ron Paul opposed to ANY other candidate!Do you support our troops or do you support the pentagon?
Secondly.What great benchmarks have we reached in ANY of our wars (foreign or domestic)?Have we made ourselves safer?Is oil cheaper?Are people doing better financially?Has the government protected us from itself?NO,NO,NO,and NO!!!Have we been misled to believe falsehoods against people of different nationalities,religious beliefs,and color?Have we allowed private companies to profit (with taxpayers money)off the decimation of sovereign nations and peoples?Have we allowed our government to strip away our "Rights and Privileges"afforded to us by our CONSTITUTION?Is our government creating an atmosphere of fear mongering and war profiteering?Are we more likely to be inviting foreign terrorists to attack us by killing their people?YES,YES,YES,YES,and YES!!!!!
The facts are very clear on what the CONSTITUTION wants us to do.Protect the PEOPLES liberty,freedom,and rights to pursue happiness.Not wage wars to profit for a few select corporations.That is why in our declaration of independence it says-
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,[74] that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
Could mainstream media be more full of themselves?
Paul, has a much higher support than just 22% of republicans. And even thuogh Sontorim can attract a small % of swing voters, Pauls attraction is much higher in this area. His republican support of 22% is about 10% of the total vote. So add about 20% of the swing voters and Mr Paul is actually at about 30% of the popuar vote right now. That would increase with the nomination. He is beating Romney up in total voter support.
Does anyone know where to find data on popular voter support per candidate that may be more accurate than my first post?