WASHINGTON, Iowa -- An Aug. 7 straw poll in Ames "is the most critical political event in 1999," Republican Party
presidential candidate Pat Buchanan told an audience here Wednesday.
Without their support, he said, all hopes in capturing his party nomination may be lost.
Buchanan told 15 supporters at the Coffee Corner Cafe that when he placed third in the 1995 Iowa straw poll, his critics
were shocked because it was felt he had some strong support.
A win in the straw poll almost always guarantees a nomination, Buchanan said. "If I win in Iowa and New Hampshire, I will
win it," he said. "Simple as that."
When asked about the polls -- which show Texas Gov. George W. Bush as the front-runner -- Buchanan said that while Bush
has money, he cannot "buy Iowa, the Republican nomination or the American presidency."
Buchanan said his experience in the Reagan administration outshines that of his opponents.
"Bush and (Steve) Forbes
have money and do not have to play by the rules," Buchanan said. "My ideas are different than theirs and theirs mirror
(President Bill) Clinton's and (Vice President and Democratic Party candidate Al) Gore."
Buchanan said current trade policies are poor and the U.S. farmer is "being sacrificed to the global economy."
He added that America has lost its independence and needs to put itself first before others. "I remember when growing up
and we (Americans) made things for us and the rest of the world," he said.
