Rudy NOT to Play in Iowa Straw Poll
by Ryan Sager
Wed, 6 Jun 2007 at 12:04 PM
updated Wed, 6 Jun 2007 at 12:04 PM
Just announced on Rudy Giuliani conference call...
Campaign strategist Mike DuHaime spoke first on the call: We are not going to be participating in the Iowa straw poll in august "in any financial way." Still, "We are 100% playing in Iowa" [referring to the caucuses in January].
Jim Nussle, the former congressman working for Mr. Giuliani in Iowa, says: "If you're a second-tier candidate, the straw poll is possibly significant. ... That's one thing with Rudy Giuliani that is not necessary."
Mr. Nussle also called the straw poll a "sideshow."
Also from Mr. Nussle:
Not playing "gives us, I think, huge advantage and momentum" going into the January caucuses.
"It's not a serious event in the grand scheme of picking our nominee."
On having called the caucuses a circus: "Circuses are fun. ... The reason I called it a circus is I liked the circus."
"It's a lot of fun, it's an exciting event … but it is not a demographic cross-section of the state … it's not a scientific poll ... candidates actually purchase the attendants."
"We're very happy with the fact that we can now focus on the caucuses."
Also from Mr. DuHaime:
"We appreciate and certainly respect the process in Iowa."
"You will see the mayor there early and often."
On what it would have cost to participate in Iowa: To do it right, probably talking about $3 million.
On whether the mayor will attend the straw poll despite not paying to play: "We're not decided on our August schedule yet. ... We'll be back in Iowa in less than two weeks."
On whether this signals the adoption of a February 5 strategy (relying on the big-state primaries cluster on February 5 while de-emphasizing the early states): "Not at all. ... There's no demphasis. ... That would be, I think, spin from people who want to make things look that way. ... People will say this is an unconventional way to do things, but so be it."
Related Topics: GOP Primary
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