That's how much Mike Huckabee paid to get his second place result in the Ames, Iowa Straw Poll. USA Today did an analysis:
• Third-place finisher Sam Brownback says he spent about $325,000 to win his 2,192 votes. That's $148.27 for each vote.
• Second-place finisher Mike Huckabee spent about $150,000 and received 2,587 votes. That's $57.98 per vote.
• Winner Mitt Romney has not said how much he spent. The reporting in this Washington Post article suggests at least $2 million and possibly more than twice that much. Assuming $2 million for 4,516 votes, that's $442.87 per vote. But it could top $1,000.
Mitt Romney gets no bump at all out of this. He spent $2 million while nobody else even had that kind of money. This straw poll is a pay-to-play where candidates bus in their own supporters. Romney should have won and he did. He gets no increase in standing, but he doesn't lose either. Net result, no change.
Huckabee wins because, in the political analysis presented in this piece, it's apparent that his votes came from more than just money and political organization. Apparently many of the voters bused in on other candidates transportation switched their vote at the last minute. This is saying something about Huckabee, something good. For his $150k he gets a ton of positive public press and attention that you can't buy at this stage.
Sam Brownback spent too much of his wad on a contest that ultimately means very little except generating a few headlines in the political sargasso season. And he didn't even get that. He's done, even if he doesn't know it.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 2)
16. When the going gets tough the tough gets going.Thats how some candidates are going to find out soon and leads to dropping out of the race.It is a hard thing to kick against the pricks when reality is visible now especially with the intensity of the pace the Romney machine is moving fast and furious around the country since its victory at the Ames Straw Poll.Peace to our hearts and soul lets throw our support behind Mitt Romney the real competitor and we will rewrite history.
Image at 1:40PM on Aug 15th 2007
17. I think it is incredily fair to ask Gov. Romney about his sons contributions to the military. The army may be voluntary however, if you are saying that the current war is just and moral than this stand, if true, and not merely political should have been conveyed to at least one of your offspring. I served 31 years and part of the reason was because I had uncles and aunts who served. How can you say the war is just and not convey this to one or more of your children. The wealthy are privileged and to whom much is given much is expected. However, there is this starship trooper attitude that the volunteer army are merely pawns in a rich man's game. The war becomes quite different and personal when your life's blood is in harms way.
rene at 5:08PM on Aug 15th 2007
18. Romney does not and cannot use the church's money for his campaign He has earned that through his business ventures, I dont know him but i hope to meet him one day as our president, He has strong values and a very sharp man and he can run this country better than anyone on the panels, MARK MY WORD. May GOD bless America.
Mike at 7:25PM on Aug 15th 2007
19. Romney is a man who puts his money where his mouth is. Lets get behind a winner and suport a cnadidate
who doesn't bad mouth his opponets, and is interested in fixing our nations problems
alan ahrens at 7:57PM on Aug 15th 2007
20. You got my vote Mr. Romney.
Carmen at 8:11PM on Aug 15th 2007
21. It is difficult to imagine and hard to believe that there could be a canidate, in this day in age, that actually has a firm conviction in family and the American dream. That chooses to encourage others to raise their children under the Red, White and Blue. Honoring both church and state. Carrying a message of service, kindness and caring for others. Wow, hard to believe. But, the more we watch this man and hear him, the more we realize that he IS for-real. And, it could be possible, that we as a country could actually have a leader who puts God first. Who puts value in other peoples opinions. Who cares more about the Country than his personal political carrer. It's a lofty idea. Or is it? Mitt Romney has the qualities we as parents attempt to instil in our children. Integrity, kindness, fairness, a sense of responsibility and community service. We should all be grateful that a man of his ability is willing to subject himself to the scrutiny of others, for us, the American people. And, maybe, we as parents can look again to the White House for example and leadership. We should all be happy to have this man running for the Presidency and should do all that we can to help the gentleman get elected. Spread the word, something new is on the horizon. Paul
Paul A. Bontempo at 9:40PM on Aug 15th 2007
22. The Mormon Church buying the White House? Although the Church encourges it's members to study the issues and vote for the best canidate, The Church always promotes free agency. They DO NOT promote a certain individual. Never have, never will.
Paul A. Bontempo at 9:50PM on Aug 15th 2007
23. Senator Brownback is a phony hypocrite who claims to represent mainstream conservatives views while simultaneously attacking "Traditional values" by making the act of sending a "love letter" a crime.
I am talking about the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act of 2005 that Brownback sponsored- a blatantly unconstitutional law that seeks to “protect foreign women” by making it illegal for an American man to say hello online to a woman in another country without first having to supply criminal history and personal information.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,180487,00.html
Brownback championed the law with Tahirih Justice Center an Iranian American NGO cleverly playing the "protection of foreign bride" card while masking the true motive which is to prevent American men from communicating or dating “foreign women uninfected by American feminism”.
This law is nothing more than legalized misandry carefully orchestrated by money hungry NGO executives who live lavish lifestyles paid for with taxpayers dollars. This law gives the power to the government and women’s groups deciding the conditions under which American men can romance or communicate.
Lets get to the truth: The only scientific study done on abuse rates of International marriages was done by the INS in 1999 that found abuse rates at a miniscule 1% which was one seventh the abuse rate for all US couples.
Proponents of the fraudulent romance law also claim International matchmaking somehow constitutes "sex trafficking" despite the fact that there has never been a US based matchmaking organization even arrested for trafficking.
IMBRA is a fraudulent waste of taxpayers money that fails to protect women from violence and gives power to radical groups to determine under what conditions an American can communicate .
Dave Root at 10:22PM on Aug 17th 2007
24. Mitt Romneys five sons each served two years mission for their church without pay.Every LDS young men and women choose to spend two years of their lives to serve the Lord after they work and save enough money.It is an excellent example of sacrifice to spend two years sharing the gospel with their fellowmen.There are great many members throughout the world with many great experiences of their conversion and the many changes these men and women brought to themselves and their families.If the sons choose different careers thats an individual right and free will as they so choose,it doesn't mean they are not good American no no no.Thats silly and foolish thought.
Jor at 5:13AM on Aug 17th 2007
25. You said: "throw our support behind Mitt Romney the real competitor and we will rewrite history."
I am tired of Mitt rewriting history, like how he voted or like where he spends his money or even church history...(he bought Clear Channel, he is a CFR fellow, he forced people to buy health insurance in his state, buys stock in companies that use stem cells, Head of notorious Bain Co., voted for abortion, voted for gun control, voted for homosexuals rights, and for everything you'd imagine a limousine liberal to vote for.)Now look whos on his campaign staff - a whos who of Bush campaigners, even Rove and Blackwater CEO - a mercenary who needs wars to stay in business...Willard Mitt - He is another Slick Willie
KS Huffman at 3:43AM on Aug 16th 2007
26. the Aug 14th writer, stating deception on Mitt Romney's part is ludicris. I find it amazing that someone who through his comments claiming to be a Chrisitian won't leave their name. Mormons are Christians,hence the name of the church, THe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's in His name. Your comments were un warrented and complete hypocrisy! Mitt Romney, is obviously, a valiant man with morals beyond what we've seen at the white house hopefully the world is ready for someone to stand for truth & righousness!
Lisa at 8:25AM on Aug 16th 2007
27. My son drove 8 hours one way to support Ron Paul. He, too, spoke of the crookedness of Romney's technique. Ron Paul, on the other hand, got more votes than he "invested" in the poll. And he had a much larger crowd of enthusiastic supporters. When Romney's win was announced, there were a few squeaks of support. When Paul's were announced (and any time Paul spoke), there was a roar of support. A Romney supporter told my son that they were not allowed to visit anyone else's tent until they had cast their vote for Romney. If you want a free America, vote Ron Paul.
ljsrn08 at 12:58AM on Aug 17th 2007