Just when you think this madman could not possibly go any lower......................he does. This is the business model he used for years. He sold his name. I hope the down ballot candidates do not fall for this, but I have no illusion that they will find a spine.
As for the straw poll?! I always thought it was a joke and the history lesson you laid out today shows that it was little more than that. It was a money making joke. One August day long ago I was standing in the boarding area at O'Hare and noticed that Eugene Robinson from WAPO was getting ready to board the plane for Des Moines so he could cover the "Straw Poll" and I thought someone needs to tell these journalists that they are paying way too much attention to this goat rodeo.
Thanks, Barry. I had forgotten about the straw poll. I loved your take on it—not exactly a proud moment in Iowa history.
It is not surprising that rich donors buy their way into Trump’s graces, but it astonishes me that regular voters with smaller donations would contribute to his grift.
Your voice is so important, and I am grateful for your work.
Thank you so much, Virginia, both for your comment above - which is much appreciated - and for being a reader of my column, also much appreciated.
It is really amazing that they can so regularly deliver corruption that something so blatantly and obviously corrupt as the “Iowa Republican Straw Poll” was can fade into the woodwork of Iowa history as normal. It did so at the time, too. I always thought that the only story that should have come out of that event was not who “won” it, but how corrupt it was.
Thank you, Barry, for once again calling it like you see it - and how it is. I imagine a lot of people did not really understand how the straw poll worked. I know I didn't. You continue to help us know what we don't know. I appreciate your hard work and the information you bring to us.
Well, I really had no idea how the Iowa Straw poll really worked. Yeah, that’s pretty grifty. Thanks for informing on this. Ahhhhhh, Branstad. Those were the days. Hahahahah. And now Kim. The gift that keeps on giving.
Barry: I continue to enjoy your observations. I thought the Trump Organization/Gang request for a "taste" of the fundraising results using his image was funny. I never respond to the Democratic Party's polls as a request for a contribution comes up when you hit submit. I am already a contributor and don't like the shakedown feeling.
I look forward to anything that you might write upon the recent passing of ISU Alum Terry Anderson.
Entertainers and celebrities sell rights to use their name, image and likeness all the time. Caitlin Clark and other atheletes do it too. Nothing wrong with that.
What is unusual about this is it is a former “President” doing it. They are usually considered fair game, especially in the political wotkd. The Iowa Democratic Party used to have a fundraising club called the Humphrey Club, and a fundraising effort called the Truman Fund. (Maybe they still do, I don’t know.) Nobody from the Humphrey or Truman families ever even considered asking for a share of what was raised.
Being in politics or public office is not considered a commercial venture.
The other odd thing about this is the extortion-like part of it. No negotiations involved. Just a “you will pay” directive and “we will be watching.”
Just when you think this madman could not possibly go any lower......................he does. This is the business model he used for years. He sold his name. I hope the down ballot candidates do not fall for this, but I have no illusion that they will find a spine.
As for the straw poll?! I always thought it was a joke and the history lesson you laid out today shows that it was little more than that. It was a money making joke. One August day long ago I was standing in the boarding area at O'Hare and noticed that Eugene Robinson from WAPO was getting ready to board the plane for Des Moines so he could cover the "Straw Poll" and I thought someone needs to tell these journalists that they are paying way too much attention to this goat rodeo.
Thanks, Barry. I had forgotten about the straw poll. I loved your take on it—not exactly a proud moment in Iowa history.
It is not surprising that rich donors buy their way into Trump’s graces, but it astonishes me that regular voters with smaller donations would contribute to his grift.
Your voice is so important, and I am grateful for your work.
Thank you so much, Virginia, both for your comment above - which is much appreciated - and for being a reader of my column, also much appreciated.
It is really amazing that they can so regularly deliver corruption that something so blatantly and obviously corrupt as the “Iowa Republican Straw Poll” was can fade into the woodwork of Iowa history as normal. It did so at the time, too. I always thought that the only story that should have come out of that event was not who “won” it, but how corrupt it was.
Thank you, Barry, for once again calling it like you see it - and how it is. I imagine a lot of people did not really understand how the straw poll worked. I know I didn't. You continue to help us know what we don't know. I appreciate your hard work and the information you bring to us.
Thank you!
Well, I really had no idea how the Iowa Straw poll really worked. Yeah, that’s pretty grifty. Thanks for informing on this. Ahhhhhh, Branstad. Those were the days. Hahahahah. And now Kim. The gift that keeps on giving.
Barry: I continue to enjoy your observations. I thought the Trump Organization/Gang request for a "taste" of the fundraising results using his image was funny. I never respond to the Democratic Party's polls as a request for a contribution comes up when you hit submit. I am already a contributor and don't like the shakedown feeling.
I look forward to anything that you might write upon the recent passing of ISU Alum Terry Anderson.
Isn't it legal to use a well-known name publicly as long as you are not making false claims that they support you or you don't slander them?
Entertainers and celebrities sell rights to use their name, image and likeness all the time. Caitlin Clark and other atheletes do it too. Nothing wrong with that.
What is unusual about this is it is a former “President” doing it. They are usually considered fair game, especially in the political wotkd. The Iowa Democratic Party used to have a fundraising club called the Humphrey Club, and a fundraising effort called the Truman Fund. (Maybe they still do, I don’t know.) Nobody from the Humphrey or Truman families ever even considered asking for a share of what was raised.
Being in politics or public office is not considered a commercial venture.
The other odd thing about this is the extortion-like part of it. No negotiations involved. Just a “you will pay” directive and “we will be watching.”
Very crime-familyish in my view.
Extortion is the first word that came to my mind also.
Thank you. Just thank you for speaking!!