 
|
In The News - Our Candidates - Our Issues
Pat Buchanan's big straw poll win at that July 4th picnic for conservatives in Hopkinton is a sign that the Happy Warrior of the Right still resonates with many Granite State grass-roots Republicans. The former commentator and winner of the 1996 New Hampshire Primary polled 646 votes out of a possible 1,123, or nearly 58 percent. New Hampshire's Sen. Bob Smith came in third with 104 votes, behind social activist Gary Bauer who garnered 235. (That was not a good showing for the state's senior senator, by the way. Could this have helped jog Smith toward making his soon-to-be-announced decision to leave the GOP?)
Sure, these straw tallies are by no means scientific, and are in fact rigged to some degree. In this case, each candidate was allowed to purchase 75 ballots for distribution (which came with tickets for the event). Also, many supporters of candidates purchased blocks of ballots to pass out free among other picnic-goers. So, there's no telling whether some of the participants were residents of the state or even registered voters.
But this kind of effort takes work and organization nonetheless, and shows that Buchanan's people are not about to let any opportunity for a headline or win pass them by, no matter how humble.
In a crowded field, organization is everything. The key in these straw polls, and in everything else in politics, is getting your people there. As Buchanan said at the time, "You never know if they're going to show up."
Although George W. Bush was in the state, he bypassed the picnic and got 15 votes. Some politicians will read an event and tell you whether the crowd is their people or not, and decide on that basis whether to participate. Although listed as nonpartisan, the Hopkinton picnic was basically red meat Republican conservative, Bob Smith, Gordon Humphrey, Mel Thomson kind of conservative.
That Buchanan is still showing himself to be a scrapper means he is staying true to form. Anyone who wins the New Hampshire Primary, as Buchanan did four years ago against big moneyed contenders and the establishment candidate, knows a thing or two about a fight. But others like former Vice President Dan Quayle, Publisher Steve Forbes, and Bauer have also been busy targeting GOP activists for months, and have put together good local leadership. In fact, some of Buchanan's old foot soldiers have deserted him to seek money, adventure, and maybe even victory in the arms of some of these others.
Still he beat them in this first little round, and it must have made him and Shelly chuckle.
Later that week Buchanan was at The Weirs, riding in an old railroad car, having his picture taken with tourists, signing autographs, doing talk-show spots in New Hampshire and Boston, telling people it's still early yet, that Bush can stumble, that it's a long time until February 2000.
Even Bush Mania, now sweeping the country with its slick cover-story publicity and huge money-raising machine sucking the other campaigns dry, doesn't seem to bother him. With his USA baseball cap, and a red, white and blue tie, the old America Firster told the July 4th audience about New Hampshire Primary politics: "We're not into coronations up here. We're into revolutions up here."
Yes, it is still a long time until February 2000. In politics it's an eternity.
Good to see you looking so well, Pat.
|
Back to Our Home Page
T H E I N T E R N E T B R I G A D E
Established April 1995
47671 Whirlpool Square - Potomac Falls, Virginia 20165
Linda Muller - WebMaster
http://www.buchanan.org
Disclaimer
|
|
