Romney tops Republican field in Iowa straw poll
GOP event offers barbecue, music and speeches but is missing two of the big-name presidential candidates.
AMES, Iowa - Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney won an easy and expected victory yesterday in a high-profile Iowa Republican Party straw poll, claiming nearly twice as many votes as his nearest rival.
Romney had been expected to win the test because he spent millions of dollars and months of effort on an event that was skipped by two of his major rivals.
Romney scored 4,416 votes (32 percent) to outpace former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's 2,587 (18 percent). Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas was third with 2,192 votes.
Announcement of the results was delayed for 90 minutes because a hand count was required on one of the 18 machines.
The biggest loser of the evening likely was former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, who finished sixth with 1,039 votes. He had said repeatedly that if he did not finish in the top two, his campaign was likely to end. He left the event before the results were announced, and there was no announcement from his campaign.
Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado finished fourth with 1,960 votes, and Rep. Ron Paul of Texas was fifth with 1,305 votes.
The missing big names got only a handful of votes.
Former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee received 203 votes. He was on the ballot although not an officially declared candidate.
Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani received 183 votes, and Sen. John McCain of Arizona collected 101.
Thousands of Republicans had gathered for the poll, which included barbecue, music, speeches, and a chance to winnow the GOP's field of presidential candidates.
The grounds around Iowa State University's basketball arena took on a carnival atmosphere on the steamy day as candidates put up huge air-conditioned tents where they courted activists with food, prizes, and plenty of rhetoric.
The National Rifle Association, anti-abortion groups, and other organizations also were on hand to capture a slice of the spotlight.
Romney and Brownback of Kansas matched each other with neighboring tents and catered barbecue for supporters bused in from throughout the state. Romney was joined by his wife, Ann, and their five sons.
"We've come to recognize that this is the heartland," Ann Romney told a sea of supporters clad in yellow "Team Mitt" shirts. "We are doing this as a family."
Across the grounds, Huckabee served fruit and joined his pickup band, Capitol Offense, for some rocking numbers.
"We're going to play again this afternoon whether you want us to or not," Huckabee said, gripping his bass guitar. "The Bible says those that endure to the end shall be saved. We'll see how many of you last until later this afternoon."
For their $35 tickets - and an ID proving they were Iowans - activists could cast a ballot throughout the day for their favorite presidential candidate.
McCain and Giuliani opted to skip the event.
McCain, campaigning in Milton, N.H., called the straw poll "a great way to raise money for the Iowa Republican Party" and said he did not criticize it.
"But I think I can do my campaign and me personally better by being here in New Hampshire," he said.
