Joel Hendon

Crazy, Mixed Up Polls Concerning GOP Presidential Hopefuls Campaigns


Posted: Monday, September 26, 2011

by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html

I have been very confused in reading the various polls in the GOP campaign. Before it began in full blast, I had hoped that Newt Gingrich would run and win. But, early on, after waiting extra long to announce his candidacy, he made a boo-boo by sounding as if he was ridiculing the popular budget proposal put forth by Congressman Paul Ryan. This immediately brought on criticism, especially by the Tea Party advocates. It bugged me a little also. Then his entire campaign staff left him and the two factors together drove him far down in the polls. Almost into oblivion. I tried to forget about him.

Then I discovered the long shot newbie in politics, Herman Cain…Zowie! This is the Man, I thought. My only concerns were the lack of name recognition, the lack of governmental experience and I questioned his ability to raise enough funds to compete. I still think he is the man for the job, but the concerns continue. I am amazed at how well he does in straw polls. If you haven’t heard the latest, There was a straw poll held in Florida last Thursday, and here are the results:

Herman Cain 37% !!!

Rick Perry 15%

Mitt Romney 14%

Rick Santorum 11%

Ron Paul 10%

Newt Gingrich 8%

Jon Huntsman 2%

Michelle Bachmann 2%

Can you imagine such? Cain received over one third of the votes in an 8 member contest. This may seem insignificant since it was simply a one state straw poll, but this poll in Florida is very worthy of note. It is not at all like the one held in Ames Iowa a few months ago.

Here are a some paragraphs (not consecutive) taken from the First Read blog (of NBC NEWS) written before the straw poll took place:

When presidential hopeful Herman Cain addressed a roomful of Republicans in Brandon, FL on Tuesday, he knew he could only hope for a handful to vote for him in the state’s straw poll this weekend.

It’s why, in Cain’s four campaign stops around the state this week, retail politicking might not have much payoff in the Sunshine State’s straw poll. Of the nearly 50 people who came out to hear the former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza, only a few were delegates who will be eligible to vote.

But it is that structure that has Florida Republicans officials touting their state’s poll as more than just a chance for candidates to gain or lose some momentum. If history holds true, the winner of Saturday’s contest will be the candidate who also wins the primary. (emphasis added-jhh)

Now, here is a little speculation, before the straw poll also, taken from the Miami Herald on Wednesday before the straw poll on Thursday night.

In case there’s any doubt about the state of the race in Florida, about 3,500 Republican Party of Florida’s elected leaders, insiders and grassroots activists will render a verdict Saturday at the Presidency 5 straw-poll mock election — a vote that has historically favored the national party’s nominee for president. Read this article.

This article also lists the numbers released from a poll taken by Alex Patton’s War Room Logistics polling firm showing Romney and Perry tied with 25 percent each, Gingrich 9%, Ron Paul 8%, Bachmann and Cain with 5% each, Huntsman 2% and Santorum 1%.

All of this speculation makes the enormous win by Cain even more spectacular. Actually, although 3,500 delegates were chosen, only 2,657 voted. This win cannot help but bring Cain’s name to the forefront…something that he has needed drastically.

It seems that each straw poll, as the early primary elections and/or caucuses, attempt to make one believe that “as such and such goes, so goes the nation” or some other thing. You will note in the above quotes that this Florida Straw Poll “has historically favored the national party’s nominee for president.” It remains to be seen.

I firmly expect Herman Cain to now gain both in name recognition and in poll ratings. It is still too early to count him out of the race and frankly, he is my favorite. As far as his lack of governmental experience, many feel that is an asset. And remember, the American people voted in a president in 2008 whose governmental experience was primarily in responding “present” to roll calls.

 
Author Biography: Joel Hendon was born near Gadsden Alabama. He attended public schools in Cherokee County, Alabama and after serving a tour of duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, attended Jacksonville State University, majoring in Business Administration. He became a Christian in 1948, and although he followed secular work as a career and retired from Allied Signal Aerospace, he is an avid student of the Holy Bible and related works as well as biblical history. He has an extensive website of conservative religious and political articles.http://hebronics.org/index.html

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Marijo Phelps
 216 days 17 hours ago.
141 fans.
I think he would make a great president also...I voted for Alan Keys back in the primaries when he was running - I didn't think he would win but had to vote my conscience!!! I am sure you know what I mean.
» left by Joel Hendon 216 days 15 hours ago.
125 fans.
I voted for Alan also. I believe Herman Cain would make a better Pres than Alan Keyes would have. Thanks for the comment.
» left by Marijo Phelps 216 days 11 hours ago.
141 fans.
Hopefully MANY will feel the same way and we can elect him!
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