Romney Wins Woodbury County GOP Straw Poll

Sioux City Journal

Tuesday, Aug 07, 2007

"Mitt Romney was the clear winner of the presidential straw poll conducted by the Woodbury County Republican Party at its booth at the Woodbury County Fair at Moville.

"More than 300 voters participated in this year's poll.

"Romney captured 27 percent of the votes cast while 17 percent of those participating in the poll said they still were undecided. Rudy Guiliani came in third with 14 percent, followed by Tom Tancredo with 8 percent; Michael Huckabee, 7.6 percent; John McCain, 7.3 percent, and Samuel Brownback, 6 percent. Ron Paul, who did not receive any votes in the Plymouth County straw poll, garnered 4 percent in the Woodbury County straw poll, followed by the unofficial candidate Fred Thompson with 3.3 percent. All of the other candidates received less than 2 percent of the vote."

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"Fifty-seven young people participated in the straw poll conducted by Woodbury County Republicans for those under 18 years of age. The clear winner again was Mitt Romney with 23 percent." ...

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Romney Says Hello To Tampa

By: Adam C. Smith

St. Petersburg Times

Tuesday, Aug 07, 2007

"Joy Sparkman likes Rudy Giuliani but came to West Tampa on Monday night to learn more about the other Republican presidential contender piquing her interest.

"'I need to know more about Mitt Romney,' the Sun City Center real estate agent said. 'What I've heard so far I like very much.'

"Mrs. Sparkman was hardly alone among the 300 or so people packed into La Teresita restaurant's overheated banquet hall."

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"Who did they meet Monday in Tampa? A polished and self-effacing businessman who called his wife of 38 years 'sweetie,' who said nothing controversial or unconventional, who criticized only his Democratic presidential rivals, and who touted his private sector experience as the best prescription for Washington."

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"'I'm convinced that if we've ever needed a product to get better and see change in Washington, it's now. The challenges we're facing are so extraordinary that more of the same just won't work for us,' Romney said before taking a half-dozen questions in a town hall-style meeting.

"Romney said he stands by the Bush administration's current efforts in Iraq; he's skeptical about replacing the income tax system with a national sales tax; he likes private savings accounts to help shore up Social Security; and he's a firm supporter of Israel."

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"Romney has been building a formidable political organization in Florida, as evidenced by the host of prominent Tampa Bay supporters flanking him at La Teresita. Among them: Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, State Rep. Trey Traviesa of Tampa and St. Petersburg developer Brent Sembler."...

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