Iowa Straw Poll auction suggests McCotter is probably running

[Mr. Morden]

One tradition* of the Ames straw poll is that candidates bid on space to set up their tent, to attract participants.  Some spots are better than others, in terms of being strategically located close to or away from exits and the like.  Plus, high bidders control where they end up in the speaking order.

This year, Paul put in the highest bid for space ($31,000), and he'll get the best location....the one that Romney had in 2008.

The candidate putting in the second highest bid was.....Thaddeus McCotter, who bid $18,000.  Why would he blow $18,000 on this, if he wasn't running?

Full list:

http://theiowarepublican.com/home/2011/06/23/thaddeus-mccotter-creates-chaos-at-straw-poll-auction/

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* i.e., method for the Iowa GOP to get more $.

[Tender Branson]

Newt Gingrich doesn't even have 15.000$ to spend for an important straw poll ?

[Mr. Morden]

Newt Gingrich doesn't even have 15.000$ to spend for an important straw poll ?

Ftr, those who didn't bid anything will still be allowed to speak at the event, and have their name on the ballot.  They just won't be allowed to set up a tent / booth at the event to promote themselves.  But since Gingrich has no staff to man such a tent, it wouldn't have helped him anyway. 

[Yelnoc]

This is the Gilded Ags Republican, yes?

[Хahar 🤔]

who is that

[Mr. Morden]

who is that

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thad_McCotter

[They not like us]

who is that

More importantly, who cares?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

If I'm correct, he actually represents a district close to my district.

[Paul Kemp]

I guess he'll be looking forward to not being invited to the debates.

[tmthforu94]

who is that

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thad_McCotter

He looks creepy.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

He actually has more experience in the House than Bachmann.

[Lincoln Republican]

Surely Riveting Rick has something better to spend $15,000 on than a tent somewhere in central Iowa.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

He seemed good on Huckabee, and he is leaning towards a run.

[TJ in Oregon]

McCotter is in the Republican Main Street Partnership, so I'd think he must be somewhat moderate or at least not a raging Tea Party type. I'm not sure he's well enough known to be elected or win the primary. Perhaps he's trying for the VP slot? I haven't been able to find anything about him that seems particularly unelectable. He's from Michigan so maybe a Romney-McCotter ticket could carry MI?

Still, the best thing Thaddeus McCotter has going for him is a rather awsome name. I bet there are 5,000 people in the US would actually vote for him because of that.