NEWSFLASH: RON PAUL WINS ALABAMA STRAW POLL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: August 19, 2007
CONTACT: Matt Chancey

TUSCALOOSA, Al. Congressman Ron Paul of Texas walked away with a surprising victory at an Alabama Republican Straw Poll in Tuscaloosa today, picking up 216 votes out of the 266 cast (81%). The straw poll, sponsored by the West Alabama Republican Assembly, was open to all Alabamians of voting age. Voters from all corners of the state attended the event held at the Bryant Conference Center.

“This event was open to all Republican Presidential Candidates,” said DeWayne Fowler, President of the West Alabama Republican Assembly. “All campaigns were contacted. And Ron Paul’s campaign clearly wins the award for most grassroots enthusiasm.”

Mitt Romney’s campaign picked up 14 votes (5%), and Duncan Hunter came in third at 10 votes (4%).

Fowler emphasized that the Republican Assembly was not endorsing candidates, but the poll represented the choice of those attending the straw poll. “In addition to Ron Paul, we had representatives from Mitt Romney’s campaign, as well as Fred Thompson, Mike Huckabee and a surprise showing, via conference call from Duncan Hunter.”

“This was clearly a victory for Ron Paul’s organization,” said Matt Chancey, President of the Alabama Republican Assembly. “This event was an opportunity for campaigns to flex their grassroots muscle. No one paid these people to show up. No major network advertised this event. The people who showed up today wanted to be here.”

The Alabama Republican Assembly is affiliated with the National Federation of Republican Assemblies, a membership-based organization that prides itself as being the “Republican Wing of the Republican Party.” “We’re strong, limited government, Ronald Reagan conservatives,” said Fowler, who says his group hopes to host more straw polls in the future. “We hope that in future elections, we’ll attract as much attention as the Iowa straw poll.”

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