Ames straw poll

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Iowa Governor: Let's Kill Our Straw Poll

It's a political relic, says GOP's Terry Branstad

(Newser) - The Iowa straw poll may be a political tradition for the GOP, but the state's own Republican governor thinks it should be retired. The Ames poll has "outlived its usefulness" except as a fundraiser for the party, Terry Branstad tells the Wall Street Journal . In more than 30...

How Bachmann's Campaign Fell Apart

Last place in Iowa looms for Ames winner

(Newser) - Michele Bachmann says she can still win Iowa, but with staffers defecting and some polls putting her in last place, most analysts are ready to read the last rites to the Minnesota congresswoman's campaign. So where did it go wrong for the Ames straw poll winner ? Unfortunate timing,...

Tim Pawlenty Quit Republican Primaries Because He Was Broke


 Pawlenty Quit  
 Because He 
 Was Broke 
SAY GOP INSIDERS
Aug 29, 2011 3:36 PM CDT

Pawlenty Quit Because He Was Broke

One source says he may owe $500K. others say that's exaggerated

(Newser) - Word was that Tim Pawlenty pulled out of the Republican presidential contest because he finished a weak third in Iowa's Ames Straw Poll two weeks ago. That's true, Republican sources tell the Huffington Post , but Pawlenty's campaign was also broke from spending heavily on Ames in hope...

Study Proves It: Media Snubs Ron Paul

He gets less coverage than people not in the race

(Newser) - Looks like Jon Stewart was right —the media is grossly ignoring Ron Paul. A new study from the Pew Project for Excellence in Journalism has found that Paul is just the 10th leading newsmaker in the GOP field—behind even non-candidates like Donald Trump and Sarah Palin. Paul has...

Bachmann Staffer Was Busted for Terrorism

Peter E. Waldron's activities in Uganda murky

(Newser) - The campaign worker Michele Bachmann credits with a "tremendous" job in helping her win the Ames straw poll was charged with terrorism five years ago in Uganda. Peter Waldron was arrested for possession of assault rifles and ammunition just days before that nation's elections, reports Politico . A conviction...

Bachmann: 'I've Been a Fighter'

Rep does victory lap after big win in Iowa straw poll

(Newser) - If you can't turn the channel this morning without running into Michele Bachmann, do not adjust your set: The Minnesota rep is taking her victory lap on all five major network shows, reports Politico . Highlights:
  • On her leadership : "I've been on the front lines, and I have
...

Pawlenty Drops Out of Race

Disappointing finish in Iowa straw poll dooms campaign

(Newser) - Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is dropping out of the race for the GOP presidential nomination. Pawlenty told supporters on a conference call this morning that he would announce on ABC's This Week that he was ending his campaign after a disappointing finish in the Iowa straw poll yesterday....

Bachmann Wins Ames Straw Poll

Ron Paul finishes second, Pawlenty third; Perry gets 718 write-ins

(Newser) - Rick Perry may have cast a big shadow over the Republican field today, but Michele Bachmann had a pretty good day, too: She won the Ames straw poll, with 4,823 votes of the nearly 17,000 cast, reports Politico . Ron Paul finished a close second (4,671), followed by...

Sarah Palin Hits Iowa State Fair as GOP Candidates Descend on Ames
 Palin Drops In 
 on Iowa Fair 
Aug 13, 2011 8:56 AM CDT

Palin Drops In on Iowa Fair

Maybe-candidate clearly trying to stay in spotlight as race heats up

(Newser) - Probably just a coincidence, but as GOP presidential hopefuls were whipping up their best barbecue ahead of today's straw poll in Ames, Sarah Palin decided to pay a visit yesterday to the Iowa State Fair. Though she contended she was simply accepting an invitation, Palin was well-received: She was...

Tim Pawlenty Blew it in Last Night's Debate: Steve Kornacki

 You Blew It, Pawlenty 
OPINION
Aug 12, 2011 12:38 PM CDT

You Blew It, Pawlenty

He should have gone after Romney, not Bachmann: Steve Kornacki

(Newser) - Tim Pawlenty came off like a desperate candidate with a misguided strategy in last night's debate , writes Steve Kornacki at Salon . Going after Michele Bachmann instead of Mitt Romney? Really? He probably figured he needed to do so because she is his chief rival in tomorrow's Ames straw...

Tonight's Ames Debate: What to Watch For

Bachmann, Romney, Pawlenty, et al fight for the No. 1 slot

(Newser) - There's plenty riding on Saturday's Ames Straw Poll, but have patience: The Ames debate comes first, and there's more than a little bit riding on that, too. Politico notes that while it's not the most important debate of the campaign, it is one that is likely...

Thaddeus Who? Ames Poll Gets Surprise GOP Entry

Michigan congressman may run; Gingrich skips bidding

(Newser) - Newt Gingrich has opted not to pony up the $15,000 necessary to be a main competitor in August's Ames Straw Poll in Iowa, reports the Des Moines Register . The poll doubles as a GOP fundraiser, and candidates can essentially rent space for their supporters. Gingrich's tottering campaign...

Mitt Skipping Iowa Straw Poll

2007 Ames winner saving his cash for the primaries

(Newser) - Mitt Romney is going to skip the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa this summer, along with every other straw poll in the country. The Iowa poll is seen as a crucial test of a campaign's strength, but Romney campaign officials say they plan to save resources for winning primaries...

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