Election Night HQ

UNDATED (WUSA) - The Republican Party of Iowa calls the Straw Poll “the most important event on the 2007 calendar for the Republican candidates seeking the Republican nomination for president.”

How could this be? There are no delegates at stake. It’s not binding.

The answer to this question is multi-pronged and yet simple:

First the Straw Poll narrows the field.

The Poll puts a very bright spotlight on a campaign’s organizational skills. Can it–or can’t it–get supporters to the main event.

The final outcome also creates buzz around a candidate. Whether they are first, second, third or last. More on this later. But buzz is important with a Republican field this large (Last count is 10 and counting. Fred Thompson is supposed to give the official “yes” or “no” nod by Labor Day.)

The Iowa Straw Poll is also a big money maker for the Iowa GOP. Participants must pay $35 for the honor to vote. This is where campaign organization comes into play. Many a campaign has been known to buy the $35 tickets for supporters, put them on a bus, and drive them to the Straw Poll. There is nothing illegal about this!

Held in Ames, Iowa, it’s an all-day event with all sorts of speeches….more speeches….and lots of campaigning. Campaigns rent space around the Hilton Coliseum and provide lots of food, music and handshakes.

The candidates hit the stage around 1 pm for the official speeches. Straw Poll organizers say each candidate will get the “same amount of time to speak, and microphones will be shut off once their allotted time runs out.” The speaking order as of this writing is: Mitt Romney, Tom Tancredo, John Cox, Ron Paul, Mike Huckabee, Duncan Hunter, Tommy Thompson and Sam Brownback.

You may have noticed some names missing from the list. Two of the Republican “biggies” have already bowed out of the contest. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Senator John McCain say thank you, but no thank you.

However, Fred Thompson (he’s the guy who isn’t expected to declare his candidacy until around Labor Day?) is on the ballot.

Voting starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. Organizers promise the results by 7 p.m.–Iowa time!

Here’s an interesting tidbit about the voting process. According to the Iowa GOP website, credentialing stations and voting machines will be placed throughout the Hilton Coliseum, Stephens Auditorium and Scheman Building. Voters will be asked to show a “valid I.D.” which will be scanned to prevent someone from voting more than once. Participants will also be asked to dip their thumbs in indelible ink “to prevent someone from voting again at another location.”

The Straw Poll is all about expectations.

Political pundits have Mitt Romney winning this year’s match-up. He’s spent a ton of money and time in the state. If he doesn’t win, all the talk will be about the expectation and Romney not meeting it.

Tommy Thompson has called Iowa a “make or break” state for his campaign.

And if a “lesser known” candidate does fairly well–ahead of the “bigger names” and “better financed”–then he has beaten the expectation. Thus, lots of press and publicity.

Here’s some history on expectations:

In 1987 then Vice-President George H.W. Bush was expected to take the Straw Poll. Only Senator Bob Dole was seen as a possible spoiler. But along came Pat Robertson–the conservative televangelist. Robertson took first place (1,293 votes). Dole took second (958 votes) and Bush took third with 864 votes.

It should be noted Dole went on to win the Iowa Caucus in 1988. Robertson took second and Bush third.

In 1999 then Texas Governor George W. Bush was expected to take the Straw Poll and he did. Publishing giant Steve Forbes was an impressive second and Elizabeth Dole’s spoiler. Bush 7,418 votes, Forbes 4,921 and Dole 3,410.

Lamar Alexander could only come up with a 6th place finish. He spent more time in Iowa leading up to the Straw Poll than almost any other candidate. This poor showing (1,428 votes) forced him to bow out of the presidential race just two days after the Straw Poll.

So how big is turnout for the Straw Poll? Well, eight years ago 37,000 tickets were sold and 23,685 “valid” votes were cast.

You can read the original story by clicking here. 

You can contact The Tower at tower@campaignia.org.