Straw Poll: Fun for Activists, Essential for Candidates

Mary Tiffany, spokesman for the state Republican Party, said about 40,000 people were expected at an event that could raise more than $1 million for the party. For their $35 ticket -- and an ID proving they were Iowans -- activists could cast a ballot throughout the day for their favorite presidential candidate.

Candidates consider the straw poll a vital chance to demonstrate support that could help them this winter when Iowans hold precinct caucuses, an event that leads off the presidential nominating process.

For some candidates, a poor showing could prompt them to drop out of the race.

Although candidates often covered ticket costs and delivered many supporters to Ames, some people said they remained undecided.

Jessica Taylor, of Waterloo, was looking for a candidate. She sported a shirt saying "Christian, American, heterosexual, pro-gun, conservative. Any questions?"

"We're still open," she said. "We're looking at Huckabee."

The scale of the spectacle was so immense -- event organizers planned for the arrival of 375 buses -- that even Iowa Democratic Chairman Scott Brennan decided to take a look. State Democrats don't hold anything similar, arguing the event is more about raising money than selecting candidates.

"They don't really mean anything," said Brennan. "But they put on quite a show."

Romney, who has spent months campaigning in Iowa and organizing for the straw poll, is expected to win.

"We're going to send a message to the entire nation," said Romney.

Big-name rivals John McCain and Rudy Giuliani opted to skip the event, but their names are on the ballot. Former Sen. Fred Thompson, a likely candidate who will make his first trip to Iowa in less than a week, also will be on the ballot.

McCain, campaigning in Milton, N.H., called the straw poll "a great way to raise money for the Iowa Republican Party" and said he doesn't criticized it.

"But I think I can do my campaign and me personally better by being here in New Hampshire, talking to people, having the town hall meetings, and responding to their questions and concerns," he said.

Voting security has been tight. Before voting, activists must show ID and tickets, both of which were scanned to ensure they hadn't been used before. Stealing a page from the Iraqis, those casting ballots dipped their thumbs in purplish indelible ink to make sure they couldn't vote again.

State auditor David Vaudt was overseeing the count.

"I think we have probably one of the most secure voting areas that anyone has," said Vaudt.

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Associated Press writer Amy Lorentzen in Ames contributed to this report.