Brownback Says He Won't Yield Straw Poll to Romney

With former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former Virginia governor James S. Gilmore III gone from the Iowa straw poll, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney -- who is not pulling out of the August contest -- declared victory.

"It looks as if we just beat those campaigns in Iowa two months earlier than we had planned," Romney's son Tagg said in an e-mail to supporters.

But not so fast, said Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, who declared yesterday that he too will compete in the straw poll, which has historically been a test of organizational strength for Republican presidential candidates.

"There are no coronations in America," he said in a speech in Des Moines. "The son of a Kansas farmer could still become president of the United States. You don't declare yourself winner before the game is played. The people of Iowa will determine who wins."

Brownback announced he would launch a Straw Poll Tour (and a corresponding Web page at http://www.brownbackevents.com). On the site, there is a picture of him standing in front of a red barn under the words: "Parker to Ames; Farmer to President."

The other GOP candidates have not indicated whether they will compete in the straw poll, which will take place on Aug. 11.

-- Michael D. Shear

Obama Gives Up Some Donations

The campaign of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) said he will give to charity $16,500 in contributions from people associated with an indicted donor.

Obama has come under scrutiny for his associations with businessman Antoin "Tony" Rezko, an erstwhile ally and friend who pleaded not guilty to charges that he shook down investment companies that hoped to work with the state of Illinois.

Obama gave $11,500 in donations received from Rezko to charity last year.