PoliTick-Tock

Ron Paul commits to Georgetown straw poll

Presidential Candidate Ron Paul’s campaign said he will participate in the Georgetown County straw poll on July 28, according to a release from the county Republican party.

A straw poll is simply an unofficial vote, but in modern American politics it usually doubles as a fund-raiser. Participants in straw polls, like the one that’ll be held in Georgetown County, usually must buy tickets, and that ticket gives them the right to cast a vote.

There are usually a limited number of tickets for straw polls – which means they can be great places for political hijinks. Sometimes one candidates’ supporters will buy up all the tickets. Or maybe a candidate’s supporters happen to be busy that day.

That’s why sometimes some candidates will abstain from the events.

See this article on decisions by Sen. John McCain and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani to skip perhaps the most famous straw poll in the nation, in Ames, Iowa, and this column about what that says about the straw poll.

The Georgetown County Republican Party said it has sold almost 200 tickets, which cost $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under - though only people who will be old enough to vote in the presidential election in November 2008 will be allowed to vote at the straw poll. There will be a barbecue lunch. Other participants include former Sen. Fred Thompson and Daniel Gilbert of North Carolina.

What | Georgetown County Republican Party Straw Poll

When | Event starts at 11 a.m. July 28, voting will be at 3 p.m.

Where | Waccamaw High School auditorium in Pawleys Island

Republican Club's annual picnic draws 100

The South Strand Republican Club's annual picnic drew at least 100 people on July 14 despite rain that threatened to put a damper on the event.

Republican Party presidential candidate Daniel Gilbert, a 61-year-old businessman from Asheville, N.C., attended the picnic at the Burgess Community Center in Murrells Inlet to meet, greet and give a brief talk.

Elected officials including Sen. Ray Cleary, R-Murrells Inlet, and Rep. Nelson Hardwick, R-Surfside Beach, were also there, said Bill Blankenship, vice president of the club.

The event, which was free and open to the public, was the club's way of saying thank you to the community, he said.

Gilbert, who announced his candidacy in March, is expected to return for the Georgetown County Republican Party straw poll event and barbecue on July 28.

The club also gave an award to Sun News reporter Travis Tritten. The club voted him the reporter whose dispatches were the most fair and unbiased.