Straw Poll: Fun for Activists, Essential for Candidates

AMES, Iowa (AP) -- As many as 40,000 Republicans joined Saturday for a high-profile straw poll featuring barbecue, music, speeches and a chance to winnow the GOP's field of presidential candidates.

The results were delayed by more than an hour, which the Republican Party of Iowa blamed on "machine difficulties." At least one machine, about 1,500 votes, had to be counted by hand, and took far longer than party officials had expected.

"That's what they've been doing this whole time, but they clearly misjudged how long this would take," GOP spokeswoman Mary Tiffany said.

The situation may have added fuel to the fire of some Ron Paul supporters who had sought to block voting at the event because of the machines. They filed a federal lawsuit on the constitutionality of the voting process this week, and argued that the vote-counting machines, made by Diebold Election Systems, had fundamental weaknesses.

A federal judge in Des Moines refused to grant an injunction on Friday. The matter was appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, which on Saturday morning upheld the ruling.

The machines, the plaintiffs argued, are the same type that California's secretary of state placed rigorous security conditions on last week.

The grounds around Iowa State University's basketball arena took on a carnival atmosphere on the steamy day as candidates erected huge air-conditioned tents where they courted activists with food, prizes and plenty of rhetoric.

The National Rifle Association, anti-abortion groups and other organizations also were on hand to capture a slice of the spotlight.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback matched each other with neighboring tents and catered barbecue for supporters bused in from throughout the state. Romney was joined by his wife, Ann, and their five sons.

"We've come to recognized that this is the heartland," Ann Romney told a sea of supporters clad in yellow "Team Mitt" shirts. "We are doing this as a family."

Across the grounds, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee served fruit and joined his pickup band -- Capitol Offense -- for some rocking numbers on the hot, humid day.

"We're going to play again this afternoon whether you want us to or not," said Huckabee, gripping his bass guitar. "The Bible says those that endure to the end shall be saved. We'll see how many of you last until later this afternoon."