GOP straw poll raises more than hopes

By Quad-City Times

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Republican caucus campaigns build to a pitched frenzy in preparation for straw poll in Ames. We write to remind candidates - and voters - this is the beginning of the campaign, not the end.

The Iowa Republican Party has fashioned a raucous, fun, fundraising event intended to jumpstart the campaign and raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the state party. And that's the genius of the event.

The Iowa Republican Party sells voting lists to the campaigns, which are used by candidates to reach out to likely Iowa caucus goers.

Then the Iowa party sells space around the event so each campaign can erect a tent, stage, food line and all the customary straw poll hoopla. Top bidder this year? Ron Paul, whose campaign paid $31,000 for the prime spot on the straw poll grounds in Ames. Thaddeus McCotter's campaign bid $18,000 for the second best spot. Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain's campaign each secured space for $17,000. Rick Santorum and Tim Pawlenty's campaigns each purchased spots for the minimum $15,000 bid.

Then the Iowa Republican Party sells $30 tickets to each participant who wants to vote in the straw poll. Most frequently, the campaigns pop for these tickets.

So this fundraiser draws Iowans, but is largely paid for by contributions from campaign supporters outside of the state.

The emphasis is on sales and fun and provides a decent measure of a campaign's organizational depth in Iowa. That depth, as much as ideology or position on issues, can be a good indicator of caucus success.

Texas Gov. George W. Bush secured a 1999 straw poll win over runner-up Steve Forbes and third-place finisher Elizabeth Dole. Bush's campaign style fit the straw poll wonderfully, building a base that rewarded him with a caucus win, and ultimately, a trip to the White House.

But straw poll magic doesn't guarantee a nomination.

The 2007 straw poll winner, Mitt Romney, finished behind Mike Huckabee in the subsequent caucus. Of course, neither got the nomination. That went to Sen. John McCain, who skipped the straw poll and most of the Iowa caucus campaign.

This year, Romney is skipping the straw poll, further diminishing the value of the event to presidential handicappers.

But not for Iowa Republicans. The straw poll launches the tub-thumping, soapbox-stumping fun that invigorates the caucus campaigns.

Let the wild rumpus begin!