◼ Video: A taste of the Ames poll environment _ Ed Morrissey/HotAir
◼ Get it all here - http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/
◼ Huckabee at the straw poll: ‘America needs Iowa to happen’
◼ Ron Paul has the most buses at Iowa Straw Poll so far, rough count shows
◼ Your Cliff’s Notes guide to the Iowa straw poll
The Iowa Republican straw poll has the power to alter the character of the 2012 presidential race even though it’s only a mock election. Candidates who fare poorly — at least in the eyes of the media — can go from Prince Charming to pumpkin faster than you can say Tommy Thompson. And sometimes the fairest of them all is the candidate who comes in second.◼ Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad explains why Iowa is the envy of the nation
The candidates who are doing the best in media polls are not necessarily the ones who rise to the top in Ames. That fact makes the straw poll hard to predict, and there are a few extra wrinkles this year. The poll’s significance and fairness are always up for discussion as well.
◼ Bachmann is keeping a low profile
◼ Santorum to Iowa Straw Poll Republicans: “Obamacare” is greatest threat to American freedom
◼ Iowans divided as Perry elbows into presidential race, straw poll spotlight
