McCain’s statement, per the Ames, Iowa Straw Poll, August 15, 1999: “Straw poll is politics as usual - taken to the extreme”.
George Washington University’s Web site has preserved Senator McCain’s official statement, per the Ames, Iowa Straw Poll, in 1999. Then, as now, McCain will not be participating in the Straw Poll. Here is the full text of McCain’s statement, in the aftermath of the just-concluded Straw Poll (see the preceding post for more on the 1999 Straw Poll results) - which had taken place on the preceding day, Saturday, August 14:
August 15, 1999
Statement from U.S. Senator John McCain
STRAW POLL IS POLITICS AS USUAL–
TAKEN TO THE EXTREME
“I chose not to participate in the Ames straw poll for the same reason that I have chosen not to participate in any party straw polls during this campaign: because I don’t believe it’s right to ask my supporters to pay money to express their support for my candidacy.
“If we learned anything from Ames, it is that there is absolutely no connection between the absurd amount of money spent by the candidates there and the election of even a single delegate. This is nothing more than politics as usual–taken to the extreme.
“I am concerned about the straw poll’s impact on the Iowa caucuses themselves, that the extraordinary influence of big money that has polluted the straw poll could have a similar effect on the caucuses. If we wonder why young people have become so disenchanted with politics, when we try to understand what has fostered their incredible sense of cynicism toward public service, we need look no further that the spectacle that these events have become.
“Once the dust has settled from the straw poll, I will review the new political landscape with my supporters and consult with many trusted advisors across the country to decide how and where to direct my campaign. But at this point, I believe that I will focus my attention primarily on states like New Hampshire, South Carolina, Arizona, Michigan, Virginia, Washington and California, states where my message of reform will most dramatically impact the voters.
“Now that the straw poll is behind us, I look forward to engaging the other Republican candidates in the contest of ideas and experience that will ultimately decide our party’s nomination.”
You can read the GWU page with McCain’s statement here.
You can contact The Tower at tower@campaignia.org.