Romney to skip Florida straw poll
by George Bennett | June 10th, 2011
Romney
Republican Party of Florida Executive Director Andy Palmer called Romney’s decision “unfortunate.”
Romney will also skip the much-watched Ames straw poll in Iowa this summer.
“Our campaign has made the decision to not participate in any straw polls, whether it’s in Florida, Iowa, Michigan or someplace else,” Romney campaign manager Matt Rhoades said. “We respect the straw poll process. In the last presidential campaign we were both strengthened as an organization and learned some important lessons by participating in them. This time we will focus our energies and resources on winning primaries and caucuses. We look forward to bringing Mitt Romney’s strong pro-jobs message to every part of the country.”
Said the RPOF’s Palmer: “With thousands of activists signed up to attend, the event would have been the perfect opportunity to communicate his message directly to Republican voters in the most important swing state in the nation. However, we look forward to hosting a great event for the rest of the Republican candidates this September in Orlando.”
Straw polls are nonbinding votes, usually dominated by the most passionate party activists. Some campaigns invest heavily in organizing supporters for straw polls, hoping a strong showing will demonstrate grass-roots support and build momentum.
Florida GOP leaders have welcomed the prospect of Republican candidates spending months focused on the Sunshine State.
As a first-time presidential candidate four years ago, Romney won Iowa’s 2007 Ames Straw poll after spending considerable time and effort in the state. Eventual GOP nominee John McCain didn’t participate in that poll, nor did Rudy Giuliani or Fred Thompson, who at the time were considered leading contenders.
Former Florida GOP Chairman John Thrasher, a state Senator from Jacksonville who is backing Romney, defended Romney’s decision.
“The campaign’s decision to not participate in any straw polls makes strategic sense,” Thrasher said. “Florida is an expensive state to campaign in. As a candidate that has already proven his organizational strength and support in Florida, it’s smart for him to focus his time and resources on winning the actual primary. I know first-hand from Mitt that he is committed to campaigning in Florida throughout the primary process and am very happy to hear that he will also participate in the P5 debate.”
Tags: Mitt Romney
June 10th, 2011 at 8:58 am
If you lose florida, you lose the election..
June 10th, 2011 at 9:17 am
Of course he isn’t showing up.He will lose.
The Race is down to two canidates, conservative small government Ron Paul and big government liberal Mitt Romney.
Conservatives like myself would not vote in the last election for macain and we will not vote for someone like romney.
June 10th, 2011 at 10:43 am
Great Kevin
So then we get another four years of B.O.
June 10th, 2011 at 10:57 am
President Obama, 6 more years!
You Know It!
June 10th, 2011 at 11:13 am
Mitt Romney? Oh no no no no …
We need a true Tea Party candidate, such as Ms. Bachmann or Ms. Palin. Or perhaps even Mr. West!!
These candidates (like Gov. Scott) understand the need for further permanent tax cuts to invigorate the U.S. economy and restore American values! =)
June 10th, 2011 at 11:47 am
I agree with the Tea Lady!
We need Ms. Bachmann, Ms. Palin or Mr. West to run against President Obama!!!
June 10th, 2011 at 11:51 am
Good tactical decision. Down play expectations and save resources at the same time. Mitt will fight hard and often for the Floriday Primary in March 012.
June 10th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Stunmanmike – he needs volunteers to work for him – resources aren’t just $$.
June 10th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
“further permanent tax cuts to invigorate the U.S. economy and restore American values! =)”
What values are those? The rich get richer and the poor hurt? Do you go to church? You are a selfish old white woman.
June 10th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
Anyone who thinks Bachmann or Palin are fit to lead this nation needs serious counseling and possibly medication.
June 10th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
Heavens, no! I think you misunderstand Us Tea Partiers.
We Tea Partiers believe that keeping government small makess it EASIER for all people to use their creativity, initiative, and entrepreneurship to better themselves and their families.
Big government just gets in the way, and provides the False Hope of getting benefits for nothing.
We thoroughly encourage people to better themselves! =)
June 10th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
Keep dreaming sister!
June 10th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
DOES NOT MATTER TOO MUCH AS HE IS A RINO AND NOT A CONSERVATIVE..THAT’S REASON HE IS AHEAD IN “POLLS” DEMS AND MEDIA NOT AFRAID OF HIM..HOPE THE REP INSIDERS KNOW THIS..THEY WILL TAKE NOTE OF HERMAN CAIN ONCE HE IS IN DEBATES..I THINK SARAH WILL NOT RUN BUT INSTEAD TAKE SIDEWINDER MCCAIN’S SEAT IN SENATE SO IT WILL BE WEST AND SARAH LEADING BOTH HOUSES !!!
June 10th, 2011 at 8:06 pm
ron paul 2012