Granitegrok.com, being headquartered in the "almost first in the nation" presidential nominating state of NH, will continue to feature postings about events and issues relevant to the 2008 presidential campaign.
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As we get closer to that election, many political events feature "straw polls" where those in attendance get to submit some form of "ballot" indicating preference for particular candidates. While not very scientific, they are great fun, and provide a small snapshot about how those gathered in the name of politics on a particular day and place view some of the major declared and potential candidates. The Bow Republican Committee held their picnic and straw poll Saturday, August 19th with the following tally:
Results
Bow Republican Committee Straw Poll 8/19/06
US Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) 26%
US Secretary of State Condoleezza "Condi" Rice (R-Cal.) 26%
Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (R-NY) 14 %
Governor George Pataki (R-New York) 12%
US Senator George Allen (R-Virginia) 10%
Governor Mitt Romney (R-Massachusetts) 10%
Former US House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Georgia) 2%
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I’m not sure what the results mean, if anything. One could surmise that McCain, having won the 2000 primary, still enjoys the support of a fair number of NH-erites. No real surprise there. What is interesting to me is the relatively weak showing of Mitt Romney. Perhaps it’s the somewhat traditional apprehension the NH primary has shown to local candidates? Maybe the grassroots activists perceive him as too "establishment?" Giuliani places about where I would expect at this juncture. Newt has been energizing cable TV news watchers as of late with his well spoken ideas and thoughts, but obviously continues to represent damaged goods to those who think about this stuff. I have no explanation for Pataki, other than there must have been a few RINO (Republican In Name Only) types in attendance. Allen undoubtably got the support of the Reaganesque "hardcore" conservatives in attendance (my contact for these results being one confirming a vote for Allen- and I know he’s a true conservative…).
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The bottom line: It’s still early, and I predict (hope?) some as of yet unknown potential candidates will appear on the scene. For more on possible presidential contenders from all parties, visit politics1.com for the current list.
UPDATE: Click "continue" below to see the listing of who was on the ballots provided. Anyone not listed above that appears in the list received no votes. Approx 100 people attended.
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The ballot lineup was in alphabetical order and consisted of the following names:
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US Sen George Allen (R-VA)
US Sen Sam Brownback (R-KS)
US Sen Maj. Ldr. Bill Frist (R-TN)
Frmr. US House Spkr. Newt Gingrich (R-GA)
Frmr. NYC Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (R-NY)
US Sen Chuck Hagel (R-NE)
Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-KS)
US Sen John McCain (R-AZ)
Gov. George Pataki (R-NY)
US Sec of State Condoleeza "Condi" Rice (R-CA)
Gov Mitt Romney (R-MA)
Cong. Tom Tancredo
Frmr. Gov. Tommy Thompson (R-WI)
