Romney's Cash Beckons Iowans To Straw Poll

"It's helped grow our organization and make our grass-roots presence stronger in the state," he said of the program of payments.

Some people in Iowa do not see it exactly that way. They note that while Forbes also paid ground-level supporters in the weeks before the straw poll, it is unprecedented to pay so many people starting as early as Romney did.

A new Internet blog called Iowa Values Not for Sale blasted Romney for trying to buy Iowa votes. "Some of these consultants are friends of ours. It's hard to blame them for accepting the money," the author wrote. "However just because he is paying our friends does not mean that our votes are for sale."

Jason Gordon of Davenport, who was a staffer to former congressman Jim Nussle, said he has been busy earning the $500 a month Romney is paying him, partly because he is unemployed and has plenty of time. He is helping oversee three phone banks per week in Davenport. A typical phone bank lasts two hours with five people, he said, and they try to make 500 to 700 calls.

Gordon, 32, conceded it was "a bit of a letdown" when Giuliani and McCain decided not to compete in the straw poll, because his and others' efforts on behalf of Romney might matter less now. But he said that when it came down to it, a big show of support would make it all worth it, anyway.

Plus, he added, "We should have the best party."

MacGillis reported from Washington.