AMES, Iowa — Ron Paul’s campaign chairman Jesse Benton predicted the straw poll set to take place here Saturday will show the political world that the Texas congressman “can run with the big boys.”
“I think we’re going to have a real strong showing,” Benton told The Daily Caller after Thursday night’s debate.
Benton said Paul has benefited from the experience of prior runs and that his campaign has greatly improved.
“We have a vastly superior organization,” Benton said.
He also said Paul stands to benefit from the ideas he’s been spouting for years now “being proven right.”
“He’s the only guy that is gonna seriously take on entitlement reform,” Benton said, “the only guy who is going to fix our monetary system; the only guy that is gonna end these trillion dollar oversee wars.”
The straw poll will take place at Iowa State University. (RELATED: Campaigns wage war online as candidates spar in Iowa)
Those who have reserved space and are making the biggest effort are Paul, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachman, businessman Herman Cain, Michigan Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.
Others who will appear on the ballot are former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. A write-in option — likely leading to votes for soon-to-be announced candidate Rick Perry of Texas — will also be available.