Ron Paul Wins Independent Vote In Iowa
By Justin Gardner | Related entries in 2008 Election, 3rd Party, Independents, Iowa, Ron PaulHe beat McCain, 29% to 21%.
But with voters who identified themselves as Republicans, he pulled in 7%. Only Giuliani did worse, with 4%. I’m not counting Hunter, since I think 3 people voted for him tonight.
By the way, 81% of the voters were Republicans and 13% were Independents.
What does this tell you Paulites? Well, your guy has a shot at having a strong showing in New Hampshire, but after that you’re not looking at many good prospects where there will be more Independents showing up than GOPers. Maybe Nevada, but that’s a big maybe.
I’ll say it again, your candidate should start thinking about a 3rd party run.
Obviously, his message speaks to Independents, not Republicans, and there’s no way he can win the GOP nomination by appealing to Independents. Not a chance. But he can spark interest on the national stage, start polling in the mid teens and force the networks to include him in the national debates. His is a message candidacy, and as such he should remain true to the message and try to get it out there as far and as wide as it’ll reach.
But kudos to all of you tonight. Capturing the Independent vote in Iowa is a big story. It’s just not big enough to set the world on fire and get your guy the GOP nomination.
This entry was posted on Thursday, January 3rd, 2008 and is filed under 2008 Election, 3rd Party, Independents, Iowa, Ron Paul. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
January 3rd, 2008 at 11:58 pm
It is big enough to help persuade republicans who just want to beat Hillary (Obama now?). There are more democrats than republicans - independents are key to beating democrats.
On a practical basis, seeing Ron Paul sweep the independents might cause people to shift their support towards Paul.
January 4th, 2008 at 12:21 am
The campaign and the supporters really mess this one up.. Ron Paul should have gotten more of the votes, but people have a very skewed view of Iowans, and never appealed to what actually matters to them… instead, they based everything on their stereo-type of Iowans.
January 4th, 2008 at 12:59 am
“Obviously, his message speaks to Independents, not Republicans.”
Correction: He DOES speak to several Republicans — the small-government conservatives, not the big-government-subsidize-my-corn crowd in Iowa. After N, it will be interesting to see how he does in SC.
January 4th, 2008 at 12:59 am
“Obviously, his message speaks to Independents, not Republicans.”
Correction: He DOES speak to several Republicans — the small-government conservatives, not the big-government-subsidize-my-corn crowd in Iowa. After NH, it will be interesting to see how he does in SC.
January 4th, 2008 at 1:12 am
A correction to how this post was phrased really should be made. Ron Paul did not win 29% of the independent vote in Iowa. He won 29% among the independents who chose to caucus with the Republicans. Independents caucusing with the Republicans represented 13% of the total Republicans voting in the caucuses. In the Democratic caucuses independents made up 20% of the voters and 41% of them voted for Obama. Also, these numbers were from an entrance poll. In addition when looking at the numbers consider that the attendance for Democratic caucuses was by all reports much higher than Republican attendance.
January 4th, 2008 at 2:01 am
In promoting the 1st Vetrenary Univ. in Arizona I am not seeing their Govn for Pres signs, but I see RON PAUL for Pres. in all the areas I travel in Az.
While in the Govn home area no one minded all my RON PAUL signs in my car & RV windows.
In fact they were pleased…
What does that say, in behalf of RON PAUL as President 2008 !
PLACE ON EVERYTHING YOU SEND OUT…
…VOTE in: ronpaul2008.com Pf
January 4th, 2008 at 2:13 am
I want one who is working to protect my availability to succeed in my career and yours, that HELP others to also suceed in life.
I will vote for Ron Paul whom we the people financally support,
whereas most all the other candidates are funded by the NWO.
I want our President to do as we need, not what is demanded by those of the NWO (Big Brother).
Ron Paul carries concern for life not the NWO. Vote for a person
that wants you in life; RON PAUL.
I met Dr. Paul at the 1st Debate in Ca. and found a qualified man
for US !
… VOTE in ronpaul2008.com Thnx Pf
January 4th, 2008 at 4:42 am
Fair reporting and a good article. Three cheers for Justin Gardener! You brought up a good point about Independents here. He is also right on Thompson and McCain’s heels. not a bad finish. Let’s face it, he was running againts the second coming of Jesus in an evangelical state (60% of Iowa Republicans are either born again, or fundamentalists). I’ll take the 10% and be happy for it, especially with Rudy so low and only a couple hundred votes netween 3rd, 4th, and 5th place. Not bad at all. Remember, Reagen lost here.
January 4th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Some perspective for Ron Paul and his supporters:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenora_Fulani
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Perot
January 4th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
[...] still think he will surprise a few, but the following scenario fits with what I think will happen: Donklephant ? Blog Archive ? Ron Paul Wins Independent Vote In Iowa We’ll continue this for another 10 months I hope! This might give America time to wake up! Best [...]
January 4th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
[...] still think he will surprise a few, but the following scenario fits with what I think will happen: Donklephant ? Blog Archive ? Ron Paul Wins Independent Vote In Iowa We’ll continue this for another 10 months I hope! This might give America time to wake up! Best [...]
January 8th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
[...] The reason? Independents love him in New Hampshire. Maybe even more than they loved him in Iowa. [...]