Romney Wins Iowa GOP Straw Poll

By CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs.

At the end of the day, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney took a step forward in his quest for the Republican nomination for president, easily winning the straw poll of party loyalists, taking 31.5 percent of the total votes cast for a total of 4,516. The results could provide Romney's campaign with momentum going into the fall and almost certainly spells the end for one candidacy.

"The people of this great state have sent a message to the rest of the country," said Romney. "Change starts in Iowa."

"This important victory sends a signal to grassroots Republican activists across the country that we are working hard to earn their support, and that we are ready to begin the work of strengthening our economy, our military and our families," Romney added in a statement issued by his campaign.

Another clear winner was former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who nabbed the coveted second-place spot with a total of 2,587 votes or 18.1 percent.

Huckabee said his showing was impressive because he had little money to spend. "You have taken a minimum amount of resources and made a maximum amount of gain,'' Huckabee told backers.

He said earlier this week that a strong second-place finish in the straw poll could loosen the purse strings of potential supporters. "We want to do well to show that the momentum continues to build,'' he said Thursday.

Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback and Huckabee had waged a fierce competition for the loyalty of influential social and religious conservatives, and Huckabee's showing gave him new credibility.

But Brownback, who spent a lot of his resources on the straw poll was close on Huckabee's heels, getting 2,192 votes, or 15.3 percent.

Brownback put the best face on his showing.

"I think this is a ticket forward for us,'' said Brownback."It was pretty close. We were both right in there together.''

Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo, whose anti-illegal immigration emphasis has garnered him support finished with 1,961 votes, or 13.7 percent. Ron Paul, the only anti-war candidate in the field, got 9.1 percent, or 1,305 votes.

Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson suffered the biggest disappointment, getting just 1,039 votes, or 7.3 percent, in an event he has emphasized for months as critical for his candidacy. Thompson has said he would not continue in the race if he did not finish first or second and a representative of his campaign signaled that Thompson would likely end his campaign as early as Sunday.

California Congressman Duncan Hunter received just 174 votes (1.2 percent), and businessman John Cox totaled only 41, which is less than 1 percent. Three candidates who did not participate directly in the event also fared poorly. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani received 183 votes (1.3 percent) and 101 people (1.0 percent), cast ballots for Arizona Sen. John McCain. Actor and former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson, who has not yet announced his candidacy, drew support from 203 attendees (1.4 percent).

The total amount of votes cast — 14,302 — was a small percentage of the large crowd who attended throughout the day and less than the number who participated in the event in 1999. That year, more than 23,000 activists voted. Only Iowa residents were allowed to vote and the state party used indelible ink and other measures to prevent double-voting. Even then, the results are likely to be questioned by some supporters, especially after a technical glitch forced the party to hand-count over 1,500 votes and delayed the announcement over an hour.

The Ames straw poll has become an integral part of Republican presidential politics in Iowa and an important fund-raising mechanism for the state party. Tickets to the event cost $35 but most all of those in attendance were provided tickets and, in many cases, transportation by the campaigns.

Romney's campaign will not provide figures but the price tag for winning is estimated to have been in the millions. The campaign bussed in supporters from all over the state, paid a premium for a prime location just outside of the coliseum and provided enormous amounts of barbeque, water and sodas. The campaign also distributed distinct yellow "Team Mitt" t-shirts, small fans, placards and other novelties. Billionaire Steve Forbes spent an estimated $2 million organizing for the event in 1999 and finished second to George W. Bush.

Success at the straw poll demonstrates the organizational ability of candidates in advance of the January caucuses but this year's event was missing the party's presidential national front-runner and two other well-known candidates. Giuliani and McCain announced earlier this summer that they would not participate in the event. In making his decision, Giuliani said organizing for the caucuses would be a better use of his time and money. Fred Thompson has not yet declared his candidacy but will make his first trip to Iowa this week.

Still, Romney's victory will help him continue to build on his Iowa campaign, where many recent polls show him leading the GOP field. In his speech, Romney emphasized his conservatism but also sought to portray himself as a political outsider bent on healing what ailes the nation's capital, telling the audience, "if there's ever been a time we need to see change in Washington it's now." The former governor's family has been a very public part of his campaign in Iowa and today was no exception. At the end of his speech, Romney's wife Ann, their five sons, their wives and grandchildren crowded onto the stage.

Conversations with some of the activists who voted for Romney suggested that Romney's attempts to woo conservative voters has paid off. Romney's GOP opponents, particularly Brownback, have sought to highlight Romney's changed positions on issues near and dear to conservatives, particularly on abortion.

But some in Ames, like 51-year old businesswoman Kathy Chapman, said they were not troubled by it. "I think he's explained himself very well," said Chapman who said she is supporting Romney because of his conservative positions, his experience and his overall image. "I think he would be a great image for the United States," she said.

While Romney's operation was by far the largest, other campaigns had plenty to offer as well. Brownback provided an air-conditioned tent alongside his barbeque. Moon-bounces, rock-climbing walls and other family-friendly activities littered the Iowa State campus. Huckabee entertained supporters by playing bass with his band, "Capitol Offense" and even rocked out to a version of "Johnny Be Goode" with an Elvis Presley impersonator.