Ron Paul’s Iowa Strategy Runs Through New York’s Chinatown
EmailRep. Ron Paul has posted solid poll numbers in Iowa while he and his squadrons of volunteers fan out across the state in the run up to next month’s caucus.
But Paul’s success in Iowa might have much to do with a sophisticated system of voter identification that is headquartered in a nondescript office in New York City’s Chinatown.
Paul has visited the Hawkeye State at least once a week since May, racking up at least 47 appearances so far.
The ground game hasn’t gone unnoticed by Iowa’s Republican Gov. Terry Branstad, who called Paul’s operation the best of any of the Republican candidates in the state.
And today’s ABC News poll, along with a Des Moines Register poll and an NBC News/Marist poll out over the weekend show Paul polling in the top three in Iowa.
Paul’s Phone from Home Program asks volunteers, no matter where they are in the country, to use their own phone to “survey” or ask potential supporters a series of questions on various topics and then ask who best represents their views.
It’s illustrated in a video clip posted online, where two young women working out of the New York City office are shown appealing for others to join in their crusade to promote the Texas congressman, 76.
Once someone in Iowa is identified as a likely supporter, the name is then passed on to a field office, where another volunteer will again contact the potential supporter.
“It’s an Iowan reaching out to another Iowan,” said a campaign volunteer who asked for anonymity.
According to a recent Bloomberg News poll, more than two-thirds of those contacted by Bloomberg mentioned they had been contacted by a member of the Paul campaign.
“This is what every campaign should be doing,” said Kristen Soltis, a veteran political pollster who has worked on many House races.
The Paul campaign wouldn’t comment on the outreach effort after ABC News visited the New York headquarters; an unrecognizable, disheveled loft space in Chinatown with a DJ booth in the corner and wires hanging from the ceiling.
When asked to comment on what several sources recounted to ABC News, Paul Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton described ABC’s reporting on the effort as “inaccurate,” although he would not say how.
Indeed, the Paul campaign’s outreach efforts have become more sophisticated since placing fifth in the Iowa caucus in 2008.
The campaign changed strategy in the summer, jettisoning large rallies attended by Paul faithful in favor of smaller gatherings that showcase Paul to new voters in more intimate settings, aides say.
The campaign has also been able to mobilize niche voters such as home schoolers and farmers who came out in force in straw polls this summer, and could make a difference in Iowa where relatively small numbers can tip the scales in the caucuses.
The Paul campaign in Iowa has “hard pledges from 20,000 voters,” Time magazine reported Friday.
Paul has also made special appeals to social conservatives, a large segment of the voters in the state. At several campaign stops in the summer, Paul talked extensively about gun rights.
At the Ames Straw poll, Paul recalled some graphic stories from his time as an obstetrics-gynecology resident to explain his opposition to abortion rights.
In addition, ABC News has learned that the campaign is in midst of a $429,000 ad buy in Iowa and New Hampshire.
On Monday the campaign released another in a long line of mostly biographical ads that Paul has been airing in Iowa and New Hampshire since July. Other ads have highlighted his medical background and veteran status.
Paul’s campaign chairman has reportedly said that he plans to continue running ads in the state through Jan. 3.
Paul plans an even more extensive get-out-the-vote effort in coming weeks. The campaign is sending 500 young supporters to Iowa and New Hampshire. The program is called Christmas Vacation with Ron Paul, and through it, youth activists will travel around the key early-voting states to drum up support and get out the vote for Paul.
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Let the true president be revealed, I think the one quality this man has that romney and newt dont is that he is a true human being, he really cares about the country, and deeply has compassion for other people RON PAUL 2012!!!
Posted by: Nelson | December 6, 2011, 6:18 am 6:18 am
**Ron Paul 2012**
Posted by: Billl | December 6, 2011, 6:31 am 6:31 am
Paul is the only Republican to beat Obama among independent voters in head-to-head match-ups.
Posted by: Jim McClarin | December 6, 2011, 7:14 am 7:14 am
GMA didn’t mention the “Those picking Cain were reallocated…..” on todays show. This poll is not scientific.
Posted by: Bob Anuss | December 6, 2011, 7:25 am 7:25 am
Oh boy…is this the dirt ABC News has dug up on Ron Paul? You’re fired !!
Posted by: Gino G | December 6, 2011, 8:45 am 8:45 am
This article by ABC has highlighted exactly what it means to run for president in this country – play the game of politics and fame. It’s a sick and sad game.
[CAMPAIGN REFORM ANYONE??]
Posted by: AGreenhill | December 6, 2011, 9:15 am 9:15 am
Paul is the only Republican to beat Obama among independent voters in head-to-head match-ups. Posted by: Jim McClarin | December 6, 2011, 7:14 am.
Actually, I think Jon Huntsman would also do very well among Independents. And moderates. Because HE is moderate. And intelligent, and experienced in both domestic and foreign policy. In fact he’s the ONLY candidate on the Right with ANY foreign policy experience. Sadly for them, the Right wants nothing to do with intelligent, moderate, or experienced. Instead, they’ll opt for the Newt or the Mitt…….
Posted by: Searambler | December 6, 2011, 9:33 am 9:33 am
Huntsman also has no chance thanks to Romney.
Posted by: Adan Rodriguez | December 6, 2011, 9:46 am 9:46 am
Ron Paul has correctly identified the cause of the massive distortions in our economy, and understands that without sound money the booms and busts will continue.
Join the r3VOLution. It’s fun.
Posted by: jonnymuffin | December 6, 2011, 11:22 am 11:22 am
Is this news? How? Is this supposedly bad for Ron Paul? How low is ABC and other MSM willing to go in trying to undermine Ron Paul? The fact that you guys are trying to hard to discredit Dr. Paul makes me want to vote for him even more! Thanks for keep motivating me, MSM!
Posted by: Ethan King | December 6, 2011, 12:43 pm 12:43 pm
Okay America. Here is the honest politician you’ve been praying for. Here’s the guy that has had a consistent message for three decades. Here’s the guy that never flip flops. Here’s the guy who can save this country before it’s too late. It’s damn near too late but Ron Paul will fix things if you ignore the morons who say he can’t win. He can win if you vote for him. He can turn the corrupt establishment upside down and inside out. He can return this country to the Constitution that made this country the greatest place to live on the planet. His name is Dr. Ron Paul and he can do it if you support him. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.
Posted by: Michael Seamon | December 6, 2011, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
LOL…ABC thinks that by calling the NY grassroots office “nondescript” “disheveled” with a “DJ booth in the corner”, that they are somehow hitting Paul??…this will only pique the interest of 20 somethings in NYC to get more involved. Bring your vinyl but first make a few calls!
Posted by: sandy | December 6, 2011, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm
“wires hanging from the ceiling”?This is what true grassroots look like, do they prefer the alternative? A white marble floored posh office in Washington where candidates make back-room deals to secure nominations? We do it the way it’s supposed to be done!
Im oting for the real candidate Ron Paul.
Posted by: Marc | December 6, 2011, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm
What a great experience for young people, learning about politics/government and supporting Dr. Ron Paul! Let’s hope this experience of working with a candidate who is faithful to the people and who has unassailable integrity will make a profound mark on their character. Maybe there IS hope for America.
Posted by: Mary | December 6, 2011, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm
You really have to question the people that support Newt Gingrich. Why didn’t they support him in April, May, June, July, August, September and October? What happened, besides the media telling them who to support?
Then you have to question their moral compass to support this flip flopping flagrant hypocrite, liar, adulterer, and multiple convicted fella of ethics violations… What is going on here???
Posted by: Brian | December 6, 2011, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm
Ron Paul or newt?………hmm……..hard to believe that any human being in their right minds could possibly think Newt has a chance…(ahem..most major news outlets)….it even pains my fingers to type his name.
ONLY Ron Paul has not lied or cheated the people that pay him…(well,as far as we know,anyways). Ron Paul is the ONLY candidate who should be even considered amongst ALL other politicians in D.C. at present.
We really really need a new government. By and for the People. not the greedy cooperation’s of the planet.
I’m gonna start mailing broken dry wall screws and soggy drywall to my local leaders i think…maybe the hospital bill i got after i fell off that broken Chinese ladder!
I have an Amish ladder now!…but their going crazy too!…wtf……. oh Canada oh…I guess i should start learning their national anthem.
I think I’d rather hang with a moose in the woods, than shop at Wal mart or Home Depot again.
Hope you all enjoyed my rant.
Posted by: Herne | December 6, 2011, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm
Me and My girls are lovin’ Ron Paul !!
Posted by: SweetNikki | December 6, 2011, 7:34 pm 7:34 pm
“If ever time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin.”
Samuel Adams
Posted by: Lisa | December 6, 2011, 10:03 pm 10:03 pm
I’m Canadian and as such have no stake in the 2012 election except to see the U.S. do well, and I just wanted to add that Ron Paul is an inspiring person. I have so much respect for this plain-spoken, decent person. From an outside perspective it seems to me that getting your federal deficits and debt under control is the most pressing issue, and Ron Paul seems the politician who understands this issue best and is most likely to get this problem under control. Best wishes from Canada.
Posted by: billhd | December 6, 2011, 10:32 pm 10:32 pm
What a biased distorted article. Ron Paul appeals to social conservatives? Puleeazse. Not a word on his anti-war stance that eclipses our Nobel prize winning POTUS.
Posted by: John4 | December 6, 2011, 10:34 pm 10:34 pm
Yes, we are grassroots and proud of it! Today as I and five other people waived signs and gave out literature about Ron Paul, in a heavy snow, I thought “wow, we are grassroots.” So were our founding fathers! We may not be rich nor have the support of the mainstream but we have heart and founded principles on our side. That makes us dangerous. Go ahead and pretend like Dr. Ron Paul doesn’t matter. More is at stake than a simple election. We are fighting for our future and that makes the word LIBERTY into much more than a bullet point on some politicians checklist. I’m proud to be called “grassroots” as I’m sure our founding fathers were.
Posted by: Casey | December 6, 2011, 11:02 pm 11:02 pm
These quotes will never get old, they are timeless when it comes to government.
“They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security.”
Benjamin Franklin
“Every step we take towards making the State our Caretaker of our lives, by that much we move toward making the State our Master.”
Dwight D. Eisenhower
“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”
Abraham Lincoln
“Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature…. If the next centennial does not find us a great nation … it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.”
James Garfield, the twentieth president of the United States, 1877
Posted by: Eddy | December 6, 2011, 11:21 pm 11:21 pm
Newt wins, and i disavow the TEA party… The ulitmate sell outs! And i held my sign for what again???
I’d vote for Obama, before Newt…
Posted by: jman | December 7, 2011, 12:19 am 12:19 am
Your link to “paul recalled some graphic stories” is broken, due to an erroneous open bracket “(” in the URL
Posted by: bugfixer | December 7, 2011, 1:11 am 1:11 am
I can not believe that people would believe Newt one iota. He is not Conservative and his social value is in the toliet. I support the man I totally trust and believe in. I did not listen to reason much in the past … but I sure do now and thus I prefer Ron Paul. Stay informed fellow Americans – the veil is lifting with the restoration of America at hand. Ron Paul 2012.
Posted by: redjacobson | December 8, 2011, 11:40 pm 11:40 pm
Maybe it’s time for me to be very clear; I’m voting for Dr. Paul no matter who the GOP runs with. I sure hope it’s Paul, but I will not vote for a GOP chicken hawk or for Obama the war monger. I compromised in 08 but won’t do it again.
If enough people feel this way maybe we ought to let it be known so the GOP stops trying to marginalize Paul. If his support is solid enough he will control the election to some degree.
My support for Dr. Paul is solid no matter who else is running this time around. Period.
Posted by: mgginva | December 9, 2011, 6:41 am 6:41 am