Iowa GOP Chairman Kaufmann's Op-Ed in Politico: 'It's Time to Change the Iowa Straw Poll'

ICYMI: Chairman Kaufmann's Op-Ed in Politico: 'It's Time to Change the Iowa Straw Poll'

Read the op-ed in Politico here.

By Jeff Kaufmann

In 1979 the Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series, Margaret Thatcher was elected prime minister of Great Britain, and former ambassador to the United Nations George H.W. Bush won the first ever Iowa Straw Poll.

Much has changed since 1979 and sometimes cherished traditions—like the Iowa GOP Straw Poll—must change too. What is supposed to be a fun opportunity for Iowans and presidential candidates has turned into a high-stress and expensive endeavor. Some candidates have expressed concerns about the cost, and Iowans have said they’d like to see the Straw Poll get back to it’s roots. We’ve been listening to voices here in Iowa and across the country, and we agree with much of what we’ve heard. Iowa Republicans understand dramatic changes are necessary to ensure our straw poll is affordable and fair for all presidential candidates.

The Iowa Straw Poll has grown into one of the largest grassroots events on the presidential nomination calendar, drawing tens of thousands of Caucus-going activists mere months before they’ll cast a Caucus vote. An unfortunate consequence of this growth was an explosion both in the cost for the Iowa GOP to host the event, as well for presidential candidates to participate in it. The issue of cost is a serious one that deserves a serious solution. After all, all Republicans want our resources to go toward electing a new GOP president in 2016.

Simply put, it is time to relegate the pay-to-play nature of the Iowa Straw Poll to the dustbin of history. (We’ll leave the “pay to play” politics to the Clintons.) Here in Iowa, so long as a Republican candidate can afford the plane ticket to Iowa, they are welcome in Boone on August 8.

So, how can we afford to change the poll’s very nature?

First on the chopping block is the traditional candidate “land auction,” whereby campaigns bid for real estate on the straw poll grounds. In the past, candidates with the deepest pocketbooks secured prime real estate. This year, for the first time ever, campaigns will be provided space at the Iowa Straw Poll at no expense. The auction will be replaced by a random lottery draw. This removes the most significant cost barrier to participation and provides a candidate with an open space to make their case to Iowa voters.

We didn’t stop there. Previously, campaigns have had to engage in expensive culinary brinksmanship to provide most of the food for tens of thousands of hungry straw poll attendees. This not only added to the cost of candidate participation, but cheapened the straw poll as campaigns tried to win votes with local delicacies, not good ideas. We’re electing a president—not a Top Chef. The good news for you Iowa foodies is that the Iowa GOP will be hosting traditional Iowa State Fair-style vendors and local civic organizations. Come for the candidates, but stay for classic Iowa faire like pork chops on a stick, corn dogs and Dutch letters.

Moving the Straw Poll from Ames to the Central Iowa Expo location in Boone also allows for the elimination of even more costs to candidates. Every lot provided free of charge to the candidates is already fully electrified, removing yet another obstacle for candidates who previously had to supply their own generators, electrical hook-ups, and infrastructure needs. The Expo site itself was designed to accommodate the Farm Progress Show, which brings 250,000 visitors over a three-day period. Our comparatively modest straw poll will be easily handled by the Expo's robust infrastructure.

One additional change benefits both candidates and attendees: The Expo boasts ample and close parking. Attendees should not expect half-mile treks to the Straw Poll grounds, nor will campaigns have to go to the expense of renting expensive carts to haul their supporters from the parking lot to their space. While it is already a short walking distance, the Iowa GOP will also be running a tram service to ensure it’s easily accessible for everyone. There are no stairs at the Expo, making it handicap accessible as well.

Finally, for journalists worried about internet and a suitable place to file your stories: We have you covered. The site has fantastic internet, sweeping vistas of Iowa farmland and a climate-controlled area for you to file as deadlines loom.

Change isn’t easy. After all, we’re conservatives. The Iowa Straw Poll is a tradition worth keeping and I’m proud that we have worked for months to reduce barriers to participation for both Iowans and our candidates. We wanted to get back to the basics, so we've pared down our expenses and passed the savings on to the candidates. Political campaigning looks different than it did in 1979—or 1879 for that matter—but the fundamentals still hold. Can you connect with voters? Can you eloquently share your vision for the future?

Politics is serious business, but let’s have a little fun this August. Let’s bring in the barbecue, bands and candidates. We have the largest and most diverse field of candidates in history, and the Iowa Straw Poll will give each of them a chance to show Iowans and America why they deserve to be the next president of the United States.

See you in Boone!