Iowa Straw Poll — Ames — August 13, 2011

The Republican Party of Iowa Straw Poll in Ames, scheduled this year for August 13, 2011, has assumed almost as much importance as the Iowa caucuses themselves in campaigns for the Republican presidential nomination (2007, 1999).  The Straw Poll is mega-event fundraiser for the state party with the atmosphere of a three-ring circus.  It is an important organizational test for the campaigns, and they plan their activities for months in advance.  Tickets for the event cost $30, but many of the campaigns buy blocks of tickets and give them away.  Buses bring in supporters from around the state, and there is food, entertainment and speeches.  As in 2007, when the McCain and Giuliani campaigns declined to participate, this year several of the top tier candidates are skipping the Straw Poll event, but it still is being closely watched and could winnow or reshuffle the field.

Derek Flowers, who was a regional field staffer on Romney's 2007-08 campaign, started as the RPI's Straw Poll coordinator on May 1, 2011.  Party officials met with representatives of nine campaigns and potential campaigns (Bachmann, Cain, Gingrich, Karger, Moore, Paul, Pawlenty, Romney and Santorum) on May 19, 2011 to start the process. 

On June 23 representatives of the campaigns gathered to bid for spaces, the minimum bid being $15,000.  Tensions developed as a result of a person who had a bidding paddle but would not divulge the candidate she represented.  The other representatives vigorously objected to not knowing who they would be bidding against.  After almost an hour of discussion outside the meeting room with all other representatives threatening to "walk," the unknown candidate's representative finally was able to reach her client and permission was given to name him.  It turned out to be Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (MI), who had been making noises about a possible campaign.  Ultimately six candidates/possible candidates bid for spaces: Bachmann, Cain, Paul, Pawlenty, Santorum and McCotter.  The Paul campaign put in the highest bid, $31,000, for the spot which the Romney campaign occupied in 2007. 

Vendor sites were also available, and a range of interest groups participated. Americans for Rick Perry, a 527 group, had reportedly looked into a vendor site, but the party "chose not to allow issue advocacy groups specifically designed to promote a candidate/potential candidate to reserve space." 

The party's state central committee announced on July 23 that a total of nine candidates would appear on the Straw Poll ballot; the six with spaces, plus Gingrich, Huntsman and Romney.

In the weeks leading up to the Straw Poll there was a lot of candidate travel in Iowa.  Pawlenty did a "Road to Results" tour in an RV, Santorum launched a three-week "Courage to Fight for American Values" tour, Cain did a "Common Sense Solutions" tour, and Bachmann branded her events with a "Join Me in Ames!" tag.

Two other events also drew the candidates around the time of the Straw Poll.  The Iowa Republican Party Presidential Debate occurred on August 11 at Iowa State University in Ames.  The Iowa State Fair, which runs August 11-21, kicks off with a parade on August 10 in downtown Des Moines, beginning at 6:15 p.m..  According to a press release, "Spectators will be able to watch an estimated 200 floats, animals, vehicles, novelty and performing units."  Several presidential campaigns were represented in the parade, although Newt Gingrich was the only major candidate to march (Fred Karger also marched).  Additionally, most of the candidates spent time at the Fair itself, stopping by the Republican Party booth to greet  fairgoers, speaking at the soap box, enjoying some of the food, and viewing the butter sculptures.

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ames.michelebachmann.com	iowastrawpoll2011.com (site launched May 13, 2011)	iowastrawpoll2011.com (site launched June 22, 2011)	www.roadtoames.com
			www.hermancain.com/iowa

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