Iowa Straw Poll
Saturday, August 11, 2007 in Ames, Iowa.
SCHEDULE
Map from Republican Party of Iowa website
One of the most anticipated events on the calendar for Republican presidential campaigns, the Straw Poll is more than just a fundraiser for the state party; it is an event, a happening, a political circus. (see 1999)

On Saturday, August 11, 2007 tens of thousands of Republicans from around Iowa traveled by bus and car to Ames, about half an hour north of Des Moines, for Republican Party of Iowa's Straw Poll, an important test of organizational strength.  All told 26,000 tickets were sold at $35 each, and an estimated 33,000 people attended.

The campaigns worked for months to prepare for the event.  They organized buses and carpools to bring all their supporters in.  Campaigns bought blocks of tickets, and offered incentives to attract people. >  And, they arranged food and entertainment to keep participants happy.  The candidates made speeches, and there was the much-watched Straw Poll vote, open only to Iowans.  The Republican party credentialed 453 media representing 176 outlets, including 28 international outlets.

By late Spring 2007 it was apparent that the campaign of former Gov. Mitt Romney was making an all-out effort to carry the Straw Poll.  On June 6 the campaign of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani announced it would not participate in the Straw Poll.  Within a few hours, the campaign of Sen. John McCain announced that it too would not participate in the Straw Poll.

The absence of several leading candidates diminished the luster of the Straw Poll somewhat, but the outcome still had consequences for the Republican field.  Eight candidates participated--Sen. Sam Brownback, John Cox, former Gov. Mike Huckabee, Congressman Duncan Hunter, Congressman Ron Paul, former Gov. Mitt Romney, Congressman Tom Tancredo and former Gov. Tommy Thompson.  The names of Giuliani and McCain were on the Straw Poll ballot as was the name of former Sen. Fred Thompson, a leading prospect who is still testing the waters.

A number of interest groups were on hand.  Former Speaker Newt Gingrich, who is seen as a possible candidate but has said he will not announce his intentions until late September at the earliest, represented his American Solutions organization.  Other interest groups participating included Americans for Fair Taxation, the National Rifle Association, ONE Vote '08 and the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease.

Expectations were very much in play.  Romney, as a "top tier" candidate had much at stake, and while he made some efforts to lower expectations, they remained high.  For the "second tier" candidates a better than expected showing in the Straw Poll Would provide a significant boost, while a poorer than expected showing could cripple or even end one or two candidacies.

When the vote totals were finally announced Romney had prevailed but with a somewhat smaller share of the votes than anticipated.  Huckabee finished a surprising second.  The 14,302 votes cast were significantly fewer than anticipated.
 

 Romney
4,516 
31.6 % 
 Huckabee
2,587 
18.1 % 
 Brownback
2,192 
15.3 % 
 Tancredo
1,961 
13.7 % 
 Paul
1,305 
9.1 % 
 T.Thompson
1,039 
7.3 % 
 F.Thompson
203 
1.4 % 
 Giuliani
183 
1.3 % 
 Hunter
174 
1.2 % 
 McCain
101 
0.7 % 
 Cox
41 
0.3 % 
.
14,302
.

 
PRESS RELEASES AND MORE
Setting the Stage
June 6, 2007 - Giuliani and McCain campaigns announce they will not participate; reactions
June 13, 2007 - Republican Party of Iowa: The Starting Line-Up
June 22, 2007 Report - Allotting the lots.
Aug. 8, 2007 - Republican Party of Iowa: Voting at the Iowa Straw Poll: Fraud-Proof, Honest & Secure
Aug. 12, 2007 - Republican Party of Iowa: Mitt Romney Wins Iowa Straw Poll

Tickets for the Straw Poll cost $35.

Brownback
Aug. 13, 2007 - Brownback Exceeds Expectations at Ames Straw Poll
Aug. 11, 2007 - Brownback Speaks at Ames Straw Poll
Aug. 10, 2007 - Brownback Straw Poll Schedule
Aug. 2, 2007 - Brownback Welcomes Sesker Family to Ames Straw Poll
July 16, 2007 - Brownback Campaign Selects Famous Dave's
 

Huckabee
Aug. 11, 2007 - Mike Huckabee Claims Victory at Iowa Straw Poll
 

Paul
Aug. 12, 2007 - Ron Paul Campaign Hits Goals in Iowa
July 2007 - Call Iowa and Mail Iowa Programs
 

Romney
Aug. 11, 2007 - Governor Mitt Romney Wins The Iowa Republican Straw Poll
Aug. 10, 2007 - Governor Mitt Romney Events at Ames Straw Poll
 

Tancredo
Aug. 11, 2007 - A Day of Politics and Iowa Entertainment [schedule]
July 2007 - Iowa's Star Search
 

Thompson
July 3, 2007 - Common Sense Solutions Tour
See also: Lisa Rossi.  "Thompson's aides scrap Ames street dance."  Des Moines Register.  July 26, 2007.
 

Americans for Fair Taxation
Aug. 7, 2007 - FairTax Proposal Heats Up Presidential Politics/Iowa Straw Poll
July 16, 2007 - “Dare To Be Fair II” bus tour
 

American Solutions
Aug. 9, 2007 - American Solutions Outlines High Tech Plan for Iowa Straw Poll
Aug. 8, 2007 - American Solutions to Hold Workshops at Iowa Straw Poll
 

ED in '08
Aug. 9, 2007 - ED in ‘08 Reaching Out to Caucus Goers at 2007 Straw Poll
 

and from the sidelines...
Democratic National Committee
Aug. 13, 2007 - The Results Are In: Straw Poll Highlights Lack of Excitement with Republican Presidential Field
Aug. 10, 2007 - Ad run in the Ames Tribune
Iowa Democratic Party
Aug. 9, 2007 - Ames Straw Poll Amusement, In Case the Candidates Aren’t Enough
July 26, 2007 - Romney Flips Again!  How Important Is the Straw Poll?
 

Copyright © 2007  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action