(Aug 18 2011) - RON PAUL TOPS PRESIDENTIAL POLL
Post Opinion : Post Editor - A. L. "LUCKY" Lucketta

PORTERVILLE, CA -- On August 18th 2011, an unofficial Presidential poll was taken by the Porterville Area Republican Assembly - gearing up for the 2012 Presidential Elections.

Topping PARA's Presidential poll was Congressman Ron Paul with 25% of the total paper ballots cast. Governor Rick Perry came in second with 20% and tying for third was Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and Governor Sarah Palin.

"The purpose for this early unofficial poll, says PARA President A.L.Lucketta, was to prepare our members for a possible endorsing convention which could be called at any time between now and June of 2012 by any California Republican Assembly unit within our senate district. If that is done, our unit would be required to attend that senate convention to cast our ballots and all of this must be done prior to the big CRA Endorsing Convention, to be held a few months before the primary in June."

Larry Fox, sergeant-of-arms assigned to the task of counting these votes, noted one write in name - John Bolton and several candidates who received no votes at all, which included Donald Trump, Jeb Bush, Jon Huntsman and Mitt Romney.

Mr. Paul Olsen, the CRA's Senate District Director and President for Greater Tulare Republican Assembly, was delayed in speaking to PARA on Thursday night because of an emergency meeting which was called by California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro in Sacramento; regarding a referendum filed (PDF) with the Attorney General Kamela Harris concerning issues with the latest re-districting maps.

CRA President Celeste Greig, in a phone conversation with PARA President A.L.Lucketta stated that "this referendum must be considered by the Secretary of State and the required signatures must be gathered as quickly as possibly to establish an initiative on the June 2012 ballot.

What's at stake for Californian's is the way lines are drawn. Historically they was drawn around a specific number and now they are drawn around a specific race, observed one member of PARA.

PARA meets the third Thursday of each month and is open to the public. For more info re: PARA, call 784-PARA or log on to www.pa-ra.org.

A. L. "LUCKY" Lucketta - Editor