Republicans Make Romney Their Iowa Strawman

Iowa's Republicans met in Ames to conduct a large fundraiser, aka "strawpoll." To no one's surprise, Mitt Romney walked away as "the champeen." Of course if Sam Brownback and Mike Huckabee would consider a civil union, they would have beat him.

In true missionary-style, Romney's crew herded "Mittens" onto buses and brought them to the strawpoll. With the sterling competition, it is easy to see why this Romney did better than his Dad, the other "George W."--George W. Romney.

Note: the Thompson Twins were six and seven, but note the order. Ron Paul-- please run as a Libertarian in November, your party needs you.

Candidate	Votes	Pct.
1. Mitt Romney	4,516	31.6%
2. Mike Huckabee	2,587	18.1%
3. Sam Brownback	2,192	15.3%
4. Tom Tancredo	1,960	13.7%
5. Ron Paul	1,305	9.1%
6. Tommy Thompson	1,039	7.3%
7. Fred Thompson	203	1.4%
8. Rudy Giuliani*	183	1.3%
9. Duncan Hunter	174	1.2%
10. John McCain*	101	0.7%
11. John Cox	41	0.3%
*Did not attend

David Yepsen, no stranger to hyperbole, indicates that the Republicans "look past Bush" to endorse change--given that Bush is wildly unpopular even within his party, change is the only thing they can embrace.

And with only 14,302 people voted in the poll, far fewer than the 23,685 who cast ballots in the last big straw poll in 1999, it may be too soon to crown anyone as "the frontrunner," particularly when the heavy hitter for the party was a.w.o.l.--no, not you John McCain.

If You Are in the Ames Area

Ames, IA – Please join the ‘Iraq Summer’ Campaign and dozens of concerned Iowans who want to see a safe and responsible end to the war in Iraq from 5-6 PM on Wednesday, August 1st on the corner of Lincoln Way and Welch Avenue for a "Support the Troops, End the War" vigil. The vigil will follow canvassing of local neighborhoods in Ames for fellow Iowans who would like to demonstrate their support for our brave military with a "Support the Troops, End the War" yard sign.

The Americans Against Escalation in Iraq ‘Iraq Summer’ Campaign officially kicked off its "Support the Troops, End the War" yard sign drive in Altoona last week as part an ongoing effort to convince Senator Chuck Grassley and U.S. Representative Tom Latham to change course and vote for the safe and responsible redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq. The first yard sign of the 6,000 sign statewide campaign drive was planted in the yard of Dr. Larry Koenig, a lifelong Republican who served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and whose daughter and son joined the United States Army. His son is currently on active duty.

“Iraq Summer” is a nationwide, 10-week long campaign with nearly 100 organizers in 15 states and 40 congressional districts to turn up the heat on Republican members of Congress who have opposed setting a timeline to bring a safe and responsible end to the war in Iraq. The effort will culminate with a national “Take a Stand” day on August 28th, when Members of Congress will have the opportunity to explain their stance on the war to their constituents in a town hall setting.

WHO: Iowa ‘Iraq Summer’ Campaign, Dozens of Concerned Iowans

WHAT: "Support the Troops, End the War" Vigil

WHEN: Wednesday, August 1st, 2007 from 5-6 PM

WHERE: Corner of Lincoln Way and Welch Avenue in Ames