Nevada vs. South Carolina importance
So I just checked at ronpaul2008.com, and I see that Ron is finished campaigning in Nevada already. Nevada has 34 delegates available, SC has 24.
The media for weeks has been saying that NO ONE has much organization in Nevada. Recently they said that Romney has started building a campaign there, with Ron Paul grassroots trying to become a force.
On this site, numerous Nevada supporters have expressed frustration with the "official" campaign for not having Dr. Paul come to Paulapoloosa on Saturday (the 12th) even though he was in town, not telling any supporters about recent campaign stops there so that they could not organize rallys, and not having any more events there before the caucus.
Most people on Daily Paul, informed or not, seem to agree that Nevada is probably the best shot left for Dr. Paul to get a win, or at least top three. It sounds reasonable to me as the state appears to be wide open and supportive of a message of liberty.
SC has a ton of evangelicals for Huckabee, is Fred Thompson's home turf, and both Romney and McCain have momentum going in.
So WHY is the "official" campaign focusing on SC, not Nevada?
...and YES, this post is PRECISELY a criticism of the "official" campaign, because after this is all over, those of us that want to continue to carry the message of Liberty, in eventual hopes of political success, will need to REFLECT on this campaign, to figure out where we went wrong.
I bring it up NOW because memory has a way of revising things and events, along with their relative importance. I feel that the upcoming weekend is the tipping point - we all need to realize it's place, in real time, in history.
In my opinion, Nevada is Ron Paul's last stand for a win, for legitimacy, for credibility (in the eyes of undecided voters), for regained momentum, for a lift of the media "Blackout".
Failure to learn from past mistakes assures we will be destined to repeat them, in this campaign and future efforts.
Hate to be negative, but "yes"
I hear yer pain. Regardless of whether or not SC is vital, it sounds like the campaign totally muffed the visit to NV.
They coulda shoulda upped their profile by an appearance at Paul-a-palooza, and also pumped up the troops. (maybe Ron wanted to put those plaid bell-bottoms behind him).
DOESN'T NEED A WIN
RP doesn't need a complete win to take this election; he just need to keep building support. We are only 4 or 5 states into this election, and his support keeps growing. Stay up beat. We are in this to win1
The SC Winner ALWAYS wins the Nomination....
This is why EVERYONE is focusing on South Carolina. CNN just reported that during the Michigan Primary. However, that WON'T happen this year, and WHY won't it happen, you ask? Simply put... it's the "Statistical Curse." (Ha!) Do you know what that is? I am sure if you're a sports fan, you know exactly what that is. It's when an announcer quotes a lame statistic during a sporting event and says something like...
-- and then suddenly, your favorite team loses a home game. Or when the media projected Obama to win New hampshire easily. Yeah right... so much for scientific polls, eh?
Statistics are only numbers - nothing more and nothing less. Our fates have our own statistic left to be told someday. Is Nevada more important than SC? Who knows? The only thing we know for sure is that Ron Paul hasn't placed in the top 3 YET. If you want him to win, then it'll take something else besides wishing for it or hoping for it... it'll take you to get off your butt and VOTE!
Don't be the person that won't vote for him (even though you like him as a candidate) because you THINK he can't win -- that's UNAMERICAN. Get out there and vote!!!
BUT
This year they do not have a candidate who is leading the pack. The party has no clear front runner and CBS news is saying this year may be different regarding So. Car. Frankly, it doesn't matter right now - what DOES matter is calling voters, passing out literature, putting slim jims on cars, putting up signs and supporting your local meetup.
Detective Krum Investigates:
http://victory1project.wordpress.com/
I agree about Nevada but,
RP has already spent more time there than any other Republican candidate and was spending time there this week alone while all of the others are in a heated battle for SC. The media seems to be much more concerned about the meaning of SC than Nevada so a last place finish there could very well offset even a 1st place finish in Nevada. I think ignoring South Carolina would be a big mistake for us at this moment. I was worried when RP went straight to NV out of Michigan. I think they have a good strategy for keeping momentum up.
Ron Paul needs to swing some Huck supporters his way
Yes, it would be awesome if he could win Nevada, but let us not also forget that South Carolina is the target state for "The Christian Exodus" movement, with many people having already moved there. The folks in this movement seem to be very pro-limited government and very pro-life and they could have a deep impact in that state. Coming in the top 3 (or even winning!) in NV would be sweet, but he needs good support in SC as well, lest the media reports his support base is nothing but hookers and gambling addicts. If he does well in NV, but bombs in other states, sadly, you know that's what they'll say. :(
Jesus is my Lord and my God, and Ron Paul, champion of all things freedom, including religion and the free exercise thereof, is my choice for president.
Yeah, Nevada seemed like the
Yeah, Nevada seemed like the logical state to focus on. I'm not sure why the official hq decided to focus on SC, especially when Thompson and Huckabee are. A 1st place in Nevada would be awesome, but it doesn't appear likely according to the latest "scientific" polls.
I hate to be a naysayer, but RP needs to win SC, FL, or NV to give him momentum heading into super tuesday. If what you say is true, I just don't understand why they wouldn't have focused on NV.
NV just makes perfect logical sense especially as they are the gambling capital of the world and RP has long opposed regulating internet gambling. He has also gotten support of NV brothel owner Dennis Hof, and it just seems the right state to target.
Anyway, we are running out of states. A strong finish in Nevada would have gone a long way towards easing doubts about RP's electability. Face it, people want to vote for a candidate that they think can win. A string of 4th and 5th place finishes does not help as much as one strong finish in Nevada would.
Personally, I don't like to second guess the official hq, because I've never run a campaign before. And, even though I stayed at a Holiday Inn once, I don't think I am qualified. I just think at this point, Ron Paul needs to win a state before 2/5, or I don't think he will win the Republican nomination. Nevada just seemed like the golden opportunity.
http://ronpaulfan.blogspot.com
http://liberty.webpence.com
I hear you, but...
I largely agree that Nevada is ripe for RP. In fact, check out this poll just out - 9% and climbing!
http://www.pollster.com/08-NV-Rep-Pres-Primary.php
But I also believe that, at this stage, it's important that RP avoid a last-place showing in any primary. Also, it's still about building name recognition, and as other candidates begin dropping out (Thompson after flopping in SC on Saturday) the focus will continue to narrow and RP will become increasingly prominent.
So I think a presence in SC is positive, even at Nevada's expense.
YEAh and ALL the polls in New Hampshire were wrong...RIGHT?
(eyes rolling)
"Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly." Mae West
"This used to be a government of checks and balances. Now it's all checks and no balances." (Gracie Allen for President 1940)
LOL..HAHA...WhatEVER!
"Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly." Mae West
"This used to be a government of checks and balances. Now it's all checks and no balances." (Gracie Allen for President 1940)
100% correct
If RP doesn't win the nomination we'll be wondering what went wrong. The conspiracy folks will blame it on the CFR, truthers, FOX, vote fraud, etc. I will be thinking like you. Missed opportunities!
h-daddy
I will blame it on
the CFR, MSM, voter fraud and Judas Goats within his own campaign that ARE missing opportunities and misusing funds.