McCain Opts Out Of Ames, Too (I smell fear!)

The Atlantic Online ^ | 6/6/07 | Marc Ambinder

[The Blitherer]

A statement from campaign manager Terry Nelson:

"In light of today's news, it is clear that the Ames Straw Poll will not be a meaningful test of the leading candidates' organizational abilities, so we have decided to forego our participation in the event."

Not a surprise. Why would McCain want to spend $3 million?

Mitt Romney's in a big bind. He'll do well after winning Ames only if there's an expectation that he might not do well or if the field is competitive.

[The Blitherer]

Interesting. What if they held an election and nobody came?

[gpapa]

Interesting. Will Fred Thompson opt out too or go head to head with Romney?

[The Blitherer]

I think Fred has already announced he will not be at the straw poll but will instead be at a state fair just down the road.

:-)

[elizabetty]

Can the people in the poll vote for a candidate even if he is not there?

The people of Iowa are going to take this personally and hold it against the dropouts and no shows. If Mitt Romney is there asking for their votes and making them feel important they will remember that come caucus time.

A bad move by all not going and it makes them look like Girlie Men.

[Reaganesque]

Mitt Romney's in a big bind. He'll do well after winning Ames only if there's an expectation that he might not do well or if the field is competitive.

Uh....what?

[Red_Devil 232]

If I had a choice (knowing the candidates who are running) I would be at the State Fair also.

[The Blitherer]

I know. It's one of those Laura Ingraham "Find The Sentence" moments. I think the point he's trying to make is that the straw poll will only help Romney if he does well in a competitive field or if he does well as the underdog.

It's a valid argument, though I don't necessarily know if I agree with it.

[Caipirabob]

LOL!

[Suzy Quzy]

McCain KNOWS he doesn’t have a chance....he’s just tired of the Senate stuff....it’s more fun on the road.

[freekitty]

Good, then we can listen more to the candidates that we want to listen to.

[ApplegateRanch]

McCain KNOWS he doesn’t have a chance....he’s just tired of the Senate stuff....it’s more fun on the road.

Right! Why work, if you can get paid & still illegally collect your per diem, for gallivanting instead?

[iowamark]

I don’t think that Fred has announced that, it was just speculation.

We are still waiting for Fred’s plans on whether he will appear.

[iowamark]

The Iowa Straw Poll will have all of the candidates’ names on the ballot, including Guiliani and McCain. The announcements today that Rudy and McCain will not be appearing at the straw poll is essentially an announcement that they are abandoning a national campaign.

[elizabetty]

The announcements today that Rudy and McCain will not be appearing at the straw poll is essentially an announcement that they are abandoning a national campaign.

I HATE what Rudi and his supporters are trying to do to the Republican party. They want to yank the family values and pro-life planks right out of the party platform and now they are screwing with the traditions of the campaign.

I understand things have to change over time but I do not want changes instigated by the likes of Rudi/Judi.