Paul gets big endorsement ahead of crucial Iowa contest
Ames, Iowa (CNN) - Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul has fresh bragging rights after picking up what is surely a coveted endorsement on Monday.
Cory Adams - the Republican chairman of Story County in Iowa – endorsed the Texas congressman's presidential bid at a campaign event in Ames, Iowa.
That's significant for a few reasons. Ames is the largest city in Story County, home to over 50,000 residents. And it is in this city that a widely-watched showdown between the GOP presidential candidates will play out on August 13. The Ames Straw Poll will test the candidates' popularity and could be a sign of their electability.
Having the endorsement of such an influential political figure in and around Ames will surely give Paul's campaign something to boast about as it aims for a strong showing in that contest.
Adams explained to CNN the rationale behind his endorsement of Paul.
"I try to go for the candidates that line up mostly with the values, the principles of the [nation's] founders," Adams said. "Out of all the candidates in this cycle, I found Ron Paul to be the one with the longest, most consistent voting record to back up those principles and concepts."
How might Adams' endorsement help Paul with voters?
Adams explained: "Back in 2008 there were a lot of people within the Republican Party that kind of disregarded Congressman Paul. And basically didn't just count him in and/or wouldn't even mention him. So when you can have a county chair who is part of the Republican Party, part of the establishment and support him, it gives him more credibility within the party and brings him back from the fringe."
Adams explained that some voters previously labeled Paul "a whack job, fringe candidate" – and that his and other endorsements from mainstream Iowa Republicans could help change that.
At the same event, Iowa State Rep. Jason Schultz also spoke about his support for Paul.
Though the endorsements are positive for Paul's campaign, it's unclear just how far they'll go. Despite a passionate and loyal group of supporters – often very visible and vocal at Paul campaign stops - the candidate has trailed fellow GOP contenders Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, and at times others, in some Iowa polls. In some other polls, Paul has fared better against Pawlenty.
During his speech, the candidate talked about his chances in the Ames contest.
Citing growing enthusiasm for his message, Paul said: "There's more enthusiasm with the people that are true believers. And like I said…Ames lends itself to that. I wish I could say that I am the frontrunner and nobody is ahead of me and it's a shoe-in. But the truth is, we can do it and will do very, very well and hopefully come in first."
"But I'll tell you what – I'll challenge any other candidate for the enthusiasm of our supporters."
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I don't agree with much of what Ron Paul stands for except for the dismantling of the Federal Reserve. But I consider him the most viable candidate in the republican party party right now.
I wish our other politicians were as pricipled as Ron Paul. If that we so, we would not be in the mess we are in. The voters usually get it right, unfortunately our politicians usually let us down by ignoring the promises made when they are seeking election.
With Ron Paul, you can take his word to the bank. For 30 years he has proven this to be true.
"Despite a passionate and loyal group of supporters – often very visible and vocal at Paul campaign stops -" Said as if Pauls supporters number in the hundreds and follow him since the greatful dead isn't around any more.. Funny.
No other candidate could raise enough money to buy my vote.
is this a Story........and where is Story, Iowa......................never heard of it.......ok,just another Story, hehhehehe
Paul has never trailed Pawlenty. Get your facts right.
Ron Paul is admired in the hearts and minds of people from around the world. America has a HUGE opportunity to gain credibility across the globe with Dr. Paul as President. The US also has an opportunity in Dr. Paul to return fiscal conservatism and honest money to the greatest nation of free enterprise; entrepreneurs are lining up in droves in support of Dr. Paul. Executives at small and medium size companies are cheering for Dr. Paul during this campaign. Get involved and become a delegate for your county GOP office and support the ideas of freedom, prosperity and peace.
Ron or his son Rand Paul will never become President no matter who endorses them. I liked Ron Paul before his son Rand Paul made racist comments in Kentucky during the time he was running for office and in my book "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree".
Rep. Paul's ideas range from reasonable sounding to heart stopping. He wants to end all wars, which is fine, but he also wants to cut DoD down by 75% or more. That would leave the nation almost defenseless.
That's barely enough to maintain the equipemnt (a fighter jet requires a million dollar tune up every 10 hours of flight time) much less pay the people to operate, fuel, and maintain our hardware. And you can toss out R&D development against hostile technology.
Great News!
Out with the NeoCons! In with Liberty!
Please point me toward polls in which Paul is trailing Pawlenty in Iowa. You might find one, but Paul is consistantly ahead of Pawlenty in polls I have read.
Ron Paul may not be the frontrunner as of right now, but I daresay his base support of 10-15% is much more solid than the soft support seen within Romney and Bachmann's camps. When you understand Paul and his positions, it's almost impossible to decide to support someone else once you have committed to him. With all of the endorsements Ron has gotten in the last few weeks, he is on a roll that could snowball with a win or very strong second place at Ames.
Paul has the fundraising prowess, the support of the military members that back him financially more than any other candidate, and he is the one candidate that beats Obama with the Independents and the youth vote (He is the only one that brings Obama down to the 41% level). In fact, he is probably the only Republican that can covert Democrats and convince them to cross ship (just check out the 'Blue Republican' movement taking place). If he does win the Ames Iowa Straw Poll, there is a very good chance that he could be the one debating Barack Obama in the General Election. And if that happens, we're looking at the 45'th President of the United States, Ronald Ernest Paul, M.D., because he would obliterate Obama in the debates.
Ron Paul is sooooo awesome!!
Tim Pawlenty shown to do better in polling? Every poll I have seen shows quite the contrary. Poll consistently polls 2nd or third swapping spots with Bachmann and Romney.
Thanks for covering this news, CNN. It's really nice to see the support growing for Ron Paul in the form of endorsements, and people campaigning for Paul in their own states. I really hope he wins because I think the war on drugs is silly, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are also silly and should be already over, and the President shouldn't be able to make new law " Presidential Orders", without congresses approval for every change in his powers.
Ron Paul 2012!
Ready, Ames, FIRE! I'm excited about this Ames event. You better be there to vote for the Dr. If you live in Iowa. Take off work...when is it?
Please cite the polls where Pawlenty is beating Ron Paul. i have seen very few if any. Actually Ron Paul is polling ahead of Pawlenty in almost all of the polls ive seen.
Ron Paul 2012
I am a Ronulan !!!!
Time to give it up as you will never be elected president and when the public starts to read between the lines on were he stands his numbers will drop like a bad day on wall street.
There's a reason Ron Paul's supporters are enthusiastic - he's the most fiscally conservative candidate in the race, and has the record to match the rhetoric, unlike the other candidates.
2011 Campaign Donations from active military servicemen.
Ron Paul $36739.79
Cain $6,223
Romney $5,000
Bachmann $2,550
...Newt $1,025
Pawnlety $250
Santorum $250
Johnson $0
Total GOP – $15298.00 (excluding Ron Paul)
Ron Paul – $36739.79
Barack Obama – $28833.99
Ron Paul comes in with more than double all other Republican candidates combined. Now thats a statement!!
Principle trumps politics every time. Ron Paul has bedrock principles that conservatives and liberals can agree with. If people give him a fair hearing, they will find his ideas are all about setting them free from overbearing government. As he says, freedom brings us together as a true voluntary society, and tyranny divides us. That's why he's getting more support from the rank and file military than ANY other candidate, including the commander in chief, and that's why he is getting a second look from liberals who are calling themselves 'blue republicans.' Freedom brings us together.
nice to see rp even mentioned on the ticker. he won't be ignored for long.
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." – Ron Paul 2012
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." – Ron Paul 2012
Aug 13. That's a pretty darn important day to be in Ames, IA if you care about the future of this country...