Presidential Campaign Pageantry Begins in Iowa

Republican Party’s straw poll raises funds, political profiles

20 August 2007 -- Ames, Iowa -- Politics come to Iowa in a big way each summer before an American presidential election year. The show begins with the Ames Straw Poll, a fundraising event that gathers Republican presidential hopefuls at Iowa State University's Ames campus.

Republicans rallying together are natural magnets to Democratic Party rivals who also congregate in this key Midwestern state. Democratic candidates crisscrossed Iowa in the week after the August 11 straw poll, meeting voters in small towns and at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. Their trek culminated in a Democratic “Iowa debate” August 19.

Events like the straw poll let voters assess candidates in person. Iowans are treated to time-honored American political pageantry: hot air balloons, campaign placards and T-shirts advertise candidates; rock bands entertain crowds. This year, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee fronted his own band on bass guitar. Huckabee is competing for the Republican presidential nomination.

Candidates make speeches, shake hands and pose with supporters. Red, white and blue confetti and streamers fill the air. Free barbeque meals are in every campaign tent.

The Ames Straw Poll is not a real election, nor is it a reliable forecast of whose name will be on the 2008 presidential ballot -- particularly because several important candidates opted out. It is more a gauge of the earning power of candidates.

Iowa Republican and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley called it an important lead up to the January 2008 party caucus, which is the procedure Iowa uses to nominate presidential candidates. “[The straw poll is] going to spotlight two or three to a greater extent,” he said, adding that since the votes are usually paid for by candidates, it is not a true democratic election, but a show of support that raises funds for the Republican Party.

The poll also shows what a candidate can do. “Viability of a candidate is somewhat based on the ability to raise money and to have an organization,” Grassley said.
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Supporters cheer as confetti falls at the Iowa Straw Poll in Ames, Iowa
Supporters of presidential hopeful U.S. Representative Ron Paul cheer after he finished speaking at the Iowa Straw Poll in Ames, Iowa, August 11. (Janine Sides/State Dept.)
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Supporters cheer as confetti falls at the Iowa Straw Poll in Ames, Iowa
Supporters of U.S. Representative Ron Paul cheer after his speech at the Straw Poll in Ames, Iowa, August 11. (Janine Sides/State Dept.

This year’s winner, Mitt Romney, spent more than $800 per vote, the Washington Post estimated, a tab that included TV campaign ads, county-by-county work by the Romney team, the purchase of large quantities of tickets at $35 apiece to distribute to Iowa voters, transporting voters to the poll venue, and feeding and entertaining them. He paid a $25,000 fee to rent the best available space, the quad in front of the Hilton Coliseum entrance, through which all voters must pass. Romney, a wealthy venture capitalist and former governor of Massachusetts, did not disclose his Iowa outlay. He amassed 4,516 votes, or 31 percent.

Huckabee saw his second-place 2,587-vote finish as a victory for grassroots support. He said he spent a mere $150,000 on his Iowa campaign, and a third of those who voted for him paid for their own tickets.

Democrats eschew straw polls, calling them unscientific. Iowa Democratic Party State Chair Scott Brennan said the party prohibits them, adding, “I’m not sure the results of the straw poll are meaningful in any way, but it makes a lot of money.”

Democrats prefer to concentrate on the January 2008 Iowa caucuses. These neighborhood meetings held in each of Iowa's voting precincts serve the same function that primary elections do in other states: they determine each party’s favored presidential nominee. In contrast to a primary, where individuals cast votes to determine the nominee, caucus decisions involve precinct delegates and are based either on proportional representation or “winner takes all,” depending on the party rules.

The Ames Straw Poll, held when there is no Republican incumbent running for president, dates back to 1979. The 2007 turnout was less than in other years, with 14,302 voting compared to 23,685 in the 1999 poll when George W. Bush ran.

About 30,000 people in all attended the event.

Romney supporter Steve Evans told USINFO, “It’s part of the American process. It starts here in Iowa and keeps rolling and rolling.” He added, “This is literally grassroots, and it’s kind of fun to be a part of that.”

Jacob Overman, supporter of libertarian Republican candidate Representative Ron Paul (Texas), told USINFO he likes to hear the candidates: “I love the fact that we have freedom of speech here. And bringing people together around central issues and what needs to be done.”

Grassley, Brennan and others agreed top issues are the war in Iraq, health care and immigration. Brennan added energy: “[E]thanol – it’s a huge issue in Iowa; we are an agricultural state.”

Straw polls may mean the most to people like Paula Burggraaf, who appreciated the chance for a free peek at the candidates: “I was really interested to see what they had to say and what they are standing for because I have my beliefs and I wanted to see who lined up with that.”

Source: State Dept.

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