It seems logical, per your argument, that if you include Ron Paul, his supporters would no longer be angry. Hence, you would no longer receive angry and argumentative communications. The power to resolve this particular issue is in your hands, not the hands of the many. Just my opinion.

Thanks to Doctor Disgruntled...a Ronulan Warship!

I'm not sure I get you logic in this. So you don't like someone's supports so you exclude him. Ever here of two wrongs don't make a right.

seems to be a pretty weak reason to not including a candidate. I think it falls into the I didnt like the color of his hair kind of reasons for not including someone.

But to each his own, this is your blog I guess you are free to include or disclude anyone for whatever reason you choose, regardless of how shallow the reason.

out of curiosity alone, are you dis-including any other candidate in the poll? Has any supporter from the Romney campain emailed you telling you how great the guy is? or is this only Ron Paul supporters you seem to have a problem with?

I think Ron Paul's cuckoo (and not for Cocoa Puffs, either) and his worshipers are even more nuts than he is. But by telling people if you get any more emails he'll be excluded again just encourages Paul's opponents to send you angry emails.

Hey Matt,

Listen bro there are some things best handled with a Louisville bat. Pauls clowns like those from Kos need a proper indoctrination (my euphemism for the batting cages) in manners.

Yet another accusation with no proof offered. You accuse Ron Paul supporter of spamming your poll. Show us the proof.

I agree with Mr. Estep, you're just inviting yourself to receive more angry emails and phone calls from Paul supporters. I'm not even a Ron Paul supporter, but by excluding him from a GOP poll is a bad idea because we live in a republic where people are supposed to be able to express their ideas and opinions freely. I realize you're just doing the same thing, but you're hurting democracy in the process. By not including all the candidates, you're essentially invalidating your own polls. That poll is now nothing more than a poll of select people, which means it's not a true poll (not that it ever was) of public opinion. It would be the same thing if you were to take Rudy's name off of it. I wholeheartedly disagree with your decision.

Well, I'm sorry to hear that some of Paul's supporters have upset you. It seems that you're in the unenviable position of being able to present the "facts" as you see fit, but not actually doing so.

I won't ask you to re-instate Ron Paul in your polls - this is your website and you can do with it as you see fit. Those who visit, though, may start wondering whether or not you're behaving like the MSM by ignoring Dr. Paul (with the implication being that you're misleading your readers). Once that seed has been planted it'll be difficult for you to say that you provide accurate information as there will always be lingering doubt.

If you're going to dismiss all of the people who would vote for Ron Paul anyway, why not simply dismiss them after they've voted instead of removing him from the list? That way at least it looks like you're making some kind of analysis about what happened to the poll instead of appearing like a political oppressor.

Better yet, how about you leave off another candidate from your list and see if you don't get some angry letters from some fringe supporters for that candidate? Then you could show how it's only Ron Paul's supporters that do such rude things.

Back in the day, all the pundits were talking about how Ron Paul only had 3% support in reality, online polls be damned. But then along comes the Iowa straw poll and low and behold he gets more than _3_ times that many votes. (Sorry, when I said 5, I was thinking of a different straw poll.)

But of course, no one mentions how thats an unexpected turnout; they'd rather belittle the actual number.

Is it really easier to assume 15% of the population are quacks and the other 85% are normal, polite, well-educated individuals?

It's your site, and you may do with it as you wish.

As for my Ivy-League educated Physicist (and apparent quack) self, I'll just do what I've been planning to do all along. Vote once for Ron Paul when it really counts -- on election day.

Amen, and thank you.

Lovely. The good doctor, by his resume seeks to be a good guy.

But by his actions and those around him...

I wouldn't trust him with clinton's cigar.

Chronic,

Its pretty much just the Paul supporters...seem a bit 'round the bend, as it were.

@John Campbell (and others that are calling for proof)

I'm the owner of the company that hosts this website. I am not affiliated with the content on GOPBloggers or GOPStrawPoll, yet I have had people calling my home, asking for me, and because I didn't happen to be at home, start to rant at my wife about Ron Paul not being on the straw poll. This is insane and unacceptable behavior. I'm the first to say people have every right to their opinions, and let me also say there have been a few people who have contacted me who have been very civil.

Listen, I don't have anything against Ron Paul. However, when people start calling my house to harass my wife about Ron Paul not being on a poll that I have absolutely no control over, that goes way beyond fanatical. And, again, let me reiterate that this hasn't been one or two people, but dozens between the emails and phone calls.

Do these people contact the owner of the company who rents a storefront to a music store to complain that a store doesn't carry their favorite band? Except, they don't call his office, they find his home phone number and call him at his house, he's not home, so he starts his rant to his wife. Except, it happens more than once! And that's just the phone calls, and doesn't begin to scratch the volume of email.

So, to all you people who want proof, I hope this is enough proof from someone who is not involved but is being impacted by people who seemingly have no restraint when it comes to making their opinion heard. It does not shine a positive light on Ron Paul in the slightest.

Kind Regards
- Adam Clark

Considering the sheer volume of Ron Paul supporters it is likely you will get a few folks who are not polite and courteous. The majority of Ron Paul supporters are patriotic Americans like myself who love their country and want to see Constitutional government restored. It is frustrating for us to see so many who want to silence the message of liberty and freedom through Constitutional government. It is even more frustrating to see national debate moderators try to discredit Dr. Paul with loaded questions designed to make him look unpatriotic. Can you imagine how frustrating it must be to give so many years of your life to your country with unprecedented integrity and faithfulness to the United States Constitution, just to be mocked on national TV by people who don't even have a basic understanding of the Constitution or the role of the limited government given to us by our founding fathers?
You are free to exclude Dr. Paul in your poll but I believe it will not be to you advantage to do so. By simply putting the proper controls in place to prevent multiple voting, you poll would accurately reflect the views of those who visit your site.
I am a husband and father to seven children and am more motivated to be active for Dr. Paul when I see efforts like this to discredit or silence his message.

Why all the fuss about Ru Paul? Wasn't his/her 15 minutes of fame over a long time ago?

Matt & Adam,

There are some rogues posing as Ron Paul supporters who are doing everything they can to reek havoc on the campaign and tarnish his image and the image of his supporters. They're spamming the newsgroups, firing off ludicrous accusations to reporters and columnists, and calling and writing media outlets saying they're RP supporters and asking why they're not covering the "fake moon landing" or UFOs or lizard-people.

There may be some sincere RP supporters who've gone too far, but it's unlikely they're the ones calling your home with threats. That's classic rogue behavior. A handful have been "outed", but that doesn't stop them. They're the lowest form of pond scum.

Also, there are more threats and low-brow "comments" directed at Ron Paul and his base than the reverse. A guy on this board is threatening to beat them with a baseball bat. Who does he support?

If RP's supporters weren't calling out some of the media outlets for excluding or marginalizing RP, he never would have gotten out of the gate. Fox and ABC and some of the GOP brass were clearly excluding him early on, trying to keep him out of the picture. They've since relented somewhat to his supporters, after thousands of justifiable complaints.

I hope you reconsider this. Suppose your candidate was deliberately excluded from polls... What would you do? Nothing?

Oh dear, Matt, how on Earth did you manage to get a Paulbot infestation like this one?

When you're done with them, can I have them? We're suffering from a bit of a shortage of demented fools in the Empire, and we can always use fresh chew toys.

It seems logical, per your argument, that if you include Ron Paul, his supporters would no longer be angry. Hence, you would no longer receive angry and argumentative communications.

My, my, GDJ, that sure is a convincing argument. Do you learn all of that in the John Birch Society, or are you just naturally stuck at the mental level of a two-year-old?

"Since I'm angry with you because you won't do X, it seems only logical that it is up to you to resolve the issue by doing X, so that we'll no longer be angry."

Sounds an awful lot like the kind of "logic" that Osama used, but at least you're not chopping off heads and blowing up skyscrapers.

Oh, I'm sorry. Osama had nothing to do with that, right? It was all done by Karl Rove to manufacture a war in Iraq.

But by telling people if you get any more emails he'll be excluded again just encourages Paul's opponents to send you angry emails.

OK, Christopher, we'll go over this one more time, just for you: The Paulbots are already sending stupid emails (and calling the wife of Matt's hosting company at home to rant at her as well), so it's not likely that they'll need any help in proving their severe dementia, now is it?

But yes, I'm sure that all of those Anti-Rons, me included, have nothing better to do than to start sending fake emails to Matt so we can keep the Paulbots' Chief Kook out of a straw poll.

Yet another accusation with no proof offered. You accuse Ron Paul supporter of spamming your poll. Show us the proof.

You got it, mate. So will you shut up now? Of course you won't. But that's alright. You're infinitely amusing, you sad little clown.

I'm not even a Ron Paul supporter, but by excluding him from a GOP poll is a bad idea because we live in a republic where people are supposed to be able to express their ideas and opinions freely.

On other people's property? In any way they please? Damn, that's an interesting interpretation of private property rights. Best keep this to yourself if you intend to pass yourself off as anything to the right of Karl Marx.

Those who visit, though, may start wondering whether or not you're behaving like the MSM by ignoring Dr. Paul (with the implication being that you're misleading your readers). Once that seed has been planted it'll be difficult for you to say that you provide accurate information as there will always be lingering doubt.

Oh rats! Better do as he says, Matt, or you'll permanently lose the vast Ron "Truther" Paul demographic.

As for my Ivy-League educated Physicist (and apparent quack) self, I'll just do what I've been planning to do all along. Vote once for Ron Paul when it really counts -- on election day.

They have Ivy in Central America? Or have the diploma mills moved elsewhere?

Oh, and the only way that you'll be voting for that nutjob on election day is if you add him as a write-in.

Which makes him as likely to be elected as Mickey Mouse, Elvis Presley, Santa Claus and the Big Bopper.

Damn, this is fun...

Don't mean to spam you, but your comment thingy ate my URL.

Ron Paul is a nutcase. His supporters are worse.

Why anyone would take ANY of them seriously is beyond my poor cmprehention.

It seems logical, per your argument, that if you include Ron Paul, his supporters would no longer be angry. Hence, you would no longer receive angry and argumentative communications. The power to resolve this particular issue is in your hands, not the hands of the many.

Not at all.  The logic is simple:  once the Truthers quit throwing their temper tantrum, they'll get their sippy cup back.

Short of a spanking, this is how you deal with whiny brats.

Ron Paul supporters:

A) try to get their way by talking with an urgency that alarms normal people.

B) too socially retarded to know that they are incapible of Jedi Mind Tricks.

C) bored internet-addicts

Matt,

Do not give in to them. We do not negotiate with terrorists.

Matt - Based on your past history and attitudes, I am skeptical that the reasons you cite are the only ones that cause you to avoid including Dr. Paul in your Straw Poll.

As for the reasoning your provide, it seems surprisingly flimsy, even for a 'Blogs for Bush' writer. Many candidates have supporters who do crazy things. Judging a candidate by that is often misleading.

U.S. Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) also has one of the largest student support contingents... Even many of those College Republicans who support the Iraq war seem to like Dr. Paul, as I can personally attest to. And the good doctor has received far more in campaign donations from our brave and heroic military personnel than any other Republican presidential candidate.

Please reconsider your decision.

P.S. - I hope that you don't consider this comment to be "harassment."

It seems logical, per your argument, that if you include Ron Paul, his supporters would no longer be angry. Hence, you would no longer receive angry and argumentative communications. The power to resolve this particular issue is in your hands, not the hands of the many. Just my opinion.

This is incorrect. This is nothing more than a damned if you do, damned if you dont situation. If Mr. Paul is added to the poll his supporters will simply switch from complaining about him not being on the poll to accusing the poll operators of rigging the poll to keep Ron Paul down in the results.

I worked the polls at the Iowa Straw poll and this is exactly what they did here. They accused people of rigging a non binding.... straw poll. It's beyond comprehension.

First off...

Love the little question before the post, brilliant!

I offer my most sincere and deepest apologies for the unbecoming conduct of my fellow "Paulites" as we have been so named.

Understandably, our movement is extremely diverse and unfortunately, has a few unsavory types attached to it. As a fellow member of the GOP I am appalled
(no pun intended) by the actions of our supporters and am starting to take action to reign in the more extreme of our group.

I ask and beg you, please, don't silence the voices of so many for the actions of a few. Understandably this has caused a great deal of stress, and you have every right to be upset with Ron Paul's followers. This is a time of great political dissent in this country, and so many have their spirits soaring on the prospect of victory for this candidate.

I would appreciate it if you could contact me regarding this issue, my e-mail I believe should be listed with my post. I would like to say first off that I DO NOT intend to harass you, and seek to build a strong relationship between your organization and the campaign of Ron Paul. We may not agree on many things, but I believe we can agree that by squelching the voices of one facet of this party you are doing a disservice to us all.

This is the United States of America, and per our constitution, we must allow all to have free speech. I have started an educational campaign among Ron Paul supporters to enlighten them on proper etiquette for future contact with ANY aspect of our party and hope that it's effects will be noticed in the conduct of our campaign.

Please know that I hold you in the highest regard for having as much patience as you have had with us, and will do everything in my power to ensure the harassment ends immediately.

Thank you,
Andrew D.
GOP member of California

You thought you had trouble before? All you have done is paint a nice big red target on yourselves.

Now the Ronulans will simply switch to boosting Newt (or somebody else who isn't running) to show that your poll is unreliable.

Haven't you ever playing tug-of-war? Don't you know the easiest way to win is to let go? You are like a monkey trying to take the apple out of a vase. Until you let go, you will not get the prize.

Later.

My comments on the issue:

--------------

One vote per IP Address?

Why not be adults; admit your mistake and apologize for accusing people of cheating?

Subsequently, return Dr. Paul's name to the poll list, and realize that you'll have to suck up the repercussions from accusing people of cheating?

Make it right and deal with your bad decision.



Why does no one accuse another candidate's supporters of cheating?

--------------



My comments on the commentors:

--------------

What cracks me up are the Michael-Moorer-type cracks at Ron Paul and his supporters like, "He's crazy," and "Ru Paul," and "Aren't his 15 minutes of fame over?"



The makers of these comments never state valid reasons for any of their comments.



Name-calling has more of a negative reflection on the name-caller.

Does name-calling indicate the lack of desire for civilized discourse;

or, does name-calling indicate the lack of capacity (intelligence) for civilized discourse.

I'm also equally cracked up about the Ron Paul supporters that angrily post and call. They should realize that, "They'll catch more bees with honey than with vinegar."

--------------

William

I hope you don't find the email I sent you in poor taste. I sent it before I read your Ron Paul blog. It was a sincere email.

Here is my thought. Ron Paul is the biggest advocate of personal liberty--both in rhetoric and votes. Liberty attracts the fringe element in society. Prostitutes, 911-truthers, probably even pornographers would welcome a Dr. Paul Presidency.

The fringe feel the most disenfranchised and unheard and yearn to have a voice and feel free to do their...oddities unmolested. This makes for an easy target to attack Dr. Paul. Michelle Malkin is a perfect example.

However, his message also attracts the base. Censoring Paul because of whacky supporters seems similar to banning free speech because of KKK comments.

Free speech only thrives by protecting offensive speech. Supporting liberties is only successful if we endure the fringe. Please don't punish Paul or supporters like me who only caste one vote for fringe tactics. I hope you can use an IP filter or some other means to manage poll integrity.

Punishing Paul supporters like me for "truthers" or other people you deem offensive is giving antagonists to Dr. Paul an easy method to ban him. They can now imitate this immature behavior and make it seem more widespread then it is. The nature of spamming only takes a few sinister individuals (both in and out of Dr. Paul's camp).

I am sorry to hear you have been receiving phone calls and harassing emails. However, I think its strange that the Poll would have left Ron Paul out in the first place. I saw someone on here say something about Ron Pauls actions. I would like anyone of you to explain to a former US Marine (me) what flaws Ron Pauls logic has. I would like detailed factual data and I even will allow the blog owner to make my email public so I can get them. But, I ask that they be based on researched facts and not just red hat argumentative commentary. I find it repulsive that the country I went to fight for is constantly silencing those that want to practice the very rights my friends died for!!! If you are going to post a poll it should be balanced and TRUE. HONOR, COURAGE, and COMMITMENT is the code of the Marines and there is a reason... It takes honor to live by the truth and it takes Courage to accept that truth and it takes Commitment to make sure that Truth is seen by those all over our great nation! I took an Oath to uphold the constitution and protect it from all enemies foreign and Domestic. So i ask you. What has Ron Paul lied about... The IRS, federal Reserve, FEMA, CIA, Gun Control, how about the income tax. Which as a Marine I didnt pay but, I am still against it because it goes against the Constitution. So tell me, any of you what is it that Ron Paul says that bothers you so much that you would stifle him? Perhaps its the truth that scares you? Stop pretending you are doing something great for this nation by keeping him off your poll. You wouldn't know the first thing about defending this nations freedoms if you are willing to silence someone else simply because they might not have the same views as you or because those views might challenge your comfortable little dream world. Wake up and smell the reality. You have been lied to by every single candidate except RON PAUL!!! SEMPER FI!!! RON PAUL FOR PRES!!