Topic: Straw Polls

The Democratic Party is reportedly planning a pre-convention straw poll to lock in Kamala Harris's nomination and avoid floor debates. Speculation continues regarding Joe Biden's absence due to COVID-19, with suggestions that the "Daddy Longlegs" figure is merely a temporary stand-in while the real President recovers or is phased out.

A donation-based straw poll was conducted to determine the most popular holiday among listeners. Easter emerged as the winner, followed by "boobs" (a write-in category), then 420, with Earth Day receiving the least support. The results are used to characterize the show's audience demographics.

The hosts discuss allegations that the CPAC straw poll was rigged for Mitt Romney by removing Ron Paul supporters and Occupy protesters from the building. They suggest that security targeted anyone not wearing a tie to ensure a Romney victory.

A South Park clip satirizes the U.S. border situation, suggesting the country has become so undesirable that the Border Patrol must keep people in. Meanwhile, Ron Paul won the Values Voter Summit straw poll, but mainstream media outlets like Fox News and CNN are accused of dismissing his victory to focus on Herman Cain and Rick Perry.

Ron Paul wins the Values Voter straw poll, but the hosts note the media's continued efforts to marginalize him. They observe that C-SPAN refers to him as a "presidential candidate" while Fox News calls him a "congressman" or "kook." Adam Curry mentions he registered as a Republican specifically to vote for Paul in the primary.

A caller on NPR challenges the host about the lack of coverage for Ron Paul, despite his success in straw polls and military support. The hosts use this to highlight the "fixed" nature of political debates and the media's role in selecting frontrunners like Rick Perry and Mitt Romney while ignoring Paul.

Ron Paul won the California Republican straw poll with 44% of the vote, a victory that received minimal mainstream media coverage. The candidate also received an unexpected endorsement from singer Barry Manilow, who praised Paul's consistency and principles. Manilow's support is noted for its potential to influence older demographics and the Jewish vote.

Ron Paul finished a close second to Michelle Bachmann in the Ames Straw Poll, losing by fewer than 200 votes. Reports surfaced that Bachmann's campaign purchased 6,000 tickets for $180,000 to secure her win, while Paul's support is described as more organic. Despite his strong performance, mainstream media outlets continue to exclude Paul from the "top tier" of Republican candidates.

The hosts critique media coverage of the Iowa Straw Poll, noting that Ron Paul's near-victory was overshadowed by Rick Perry's entry into the race. They highlight a debate exchange where Ron Paul corrected Rick Santorum on the history of U.S. involvement in Iran, dating back to the 1953 coup. Paul argues against trade sanctions and military intervention, while Santorum characterizes Iran as an existential threat.

Ron Paul won the straw poll at the Republican Leadership Conference and delivered a speech criticizing the War Powers Resolution and the FDA. Paul specifically advocated for the right of citizens to consume raw milk without federal interference, leading to the suggestion of a "Ron Paul for Raw Milk 2012" campaign. The segment also touches on Paul's desire to withdraw the United States from the UN and the IMF.

Rick Santorum is criticized for his claim that the "abortion culture" is responsible for Social Security's financial instability by reducing the workforce. The hosts also express suspicion regarding Santorum's wins at "super conferences" for homeschooling, suggesting the movement may be facing co-opting by political shills.

Congressman Ron Paul won the CPAC straw poll for the second consecutive year, but Fox News coverage of the event was criticized for being misleading. Comparison between C-SPAN's live footage and Fox's edited clips suggests that Fox intentionally amplified boos to marginalize Paul's victory. The hosts argue that the media elites are working to exclude Paul from the 2012 presidential conversation.