Christmas in August: the Ames Straw Poll — and all the free food, live music and Republican presidential drama that comes with it — is finally here.
The non-binding poll, held at Iowa State University, offers the first major test of organizational strength for the 2012 Republican presidential hopefuls. Just as important, the results from Ames are likely to winnow the GOP field—and perhaps even ignite a long-shot campaign.
Tim Pawlenty, Michele Bachmann, Ron Paul, Rick Santorum, Herman Cain and Thad McCotter all bought space at the event, guaranteeing placement on the ballot. The Iowa GOP also added three candidates to the ballot who did not purchase space: Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman and Newt Gingrich.
Rick Perry, Sarah Palin, Buddy Roemer and Gary Johnson didn’t make the cut. There is a write-in option on this year’s ballot, however.
The day’s festivities kick off at 10 a.m., with candidates set to give 15-minute speeches between noon and 3 p.m.
The candidates’ speaking slots at Ames are based on how much they paid for their lots on the ground, with the highest bidder choosing their time first. This year’s line-up, from first to last speaker: Santorum, Paul, Pawlenty, Bachmann, McCotter and Cain.
Paul placed this year’s top bid ($31,000) for his prime lot on the grounds next to the polling center—yet he chose to speak second. Here’s the rundown of what everyone else spent, with bidding starting at $15,000: McCotter, $18,000; Bachmann, $17,000; Cain, $17,000; Pawlenty, $15,000; and Santorum, $15,000. Gingrich sent a volunteer to the June 23 auction, but did not bid for a spot.
Voters don’t have to be registered Republicans. You just have to be 18 years old by Nov. 6 2012 (Election Day), an Iowa resident or college student, & purchase an entry ticket.
This year the cost is $30 per person, five bucks less than what those in 2007 shelled out. The grounds — where the candidates pull out all the stops with a variety of food and entertainment — are open to the public.
While the non-binding vote might not be official, the straw poll organizers are serious about the process: Anyone entering the voting area will have to show their Iowa ID, which will be scanned, and then each individual will have their thumb dipped in indelible purple ink to prevent multiple voting attempts.
Saturday's Iowa Straw Poll marks the first time Republican voters weigh in on the GOP presidential field with ballots and comes just as Gov. Rick Perry of Texas was to enter the campaign during a visit to another early nominating state.
The nonbinding results in Ames, Iowa, were likely to foreshadow the coming months here in the leadoff state.
"The Iowa Straw Poll is the first measurable proving ground for our Republican candidates for president," Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn said.
After that, just four months remain before the leadoff Iowa caucuses.
Mitt Romney leads national polls and many states' surveys for the chance to challenge President Barack Obama next fall. But there is no shortage of rivals looking to emerge as the top alternative to the former Massachusetts governor, who lost the GOP nomination in 2008.
The candidates with the most to lose were Minnesotans who were competing to fill the role of a Romney alternative: Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Rep. Michele Bachmann. The pair clashed during Thursday's debate in Ames: Bachmann said Pawlenty "sounds a lot like Barack Obama if you ask me"; Pawlenty said his rival posts "a record of misstating and making false statements.
Pawlenty, who has been languishing in early Iowa polls, is out to prove he's a strong player in the GOP race with a victory, while Bachmann hopes to build on momentum she's enjoyed since entering the race this summer.
"For some people, this is make or break," tea party activist Ryan Rhodes said.
Daylong festival
Nine candidates are on the ballot in voting that runs for six hours during the daylong political festival on the campus of Iowa State University that doubles as a fundraiser for the Iowa GOP.
They include Romney, who won the straw poll four years ago but isn't actively competing this time, and former Utah Gov. John Huntsman, who has been bypassing Iowa almost entirely in his hunt for the nomination. Neither was scheduled to be in the state; both spent Friday in New Hampshire.
Perry and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin — who made a splash Friday when she visited the state fair — aren't on the ballot, but their supporters are waging write-in campaigns that could outpace candidates who have spent months trying to line up supporters to participate.
Palin questioned the event's validity during Friday's visit.
Story: Palin makes an Ames appearance
"It's not always the tell-tale sign of what the electorate is feeling," Palin said of the poll. "It's who happens to show up and has the time and energy to spend that day for their particular candidate."
Others on the list, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and businessman Herman Cain, hope for surprise showings.
"Part of it is whether the message resonates, but the bottom line is you better be pretty well organized," Iowa Christian Alliance head Steve Scheffler said.
Story: Analysts question GOP's fiscal policy
On the Iowa State campus, a circus-like atmosphere was in the making, with campaigns putting up giant tents for live music and tangy barbecue to court activists. Between the entertainers, candidates had one last shot to pitch for votes.
Republicans wouldn't speculate how many people will spend $30 each to attend the event, but turnout in past has ranged from 14,000 to 23,000.
