Associated Press
06-07-07
Ames Straw Poll No Longer Big Deal?
WASHINGTON (AP) The head of the Iowa Republican Party says Rudy Giuliani
and John McCain will be hurt by not participating in the Iowa straw poll in August.
Ray Hoffman says the two GOP presidential candidates are missing a ``huge
opportunity.''
Giuliani and McCain bowed out of the straw poll yesterday, rendering the
decades-old event all but meaningless. Their decisions cleared the way for top
rival Mitt Romney, who promptly claimed victory in the early test of organizational
strength.
The straw poll is held at Iowa State University in Ames. It's a dress rehearsal
that allows GOP candidates to measure their organizational strength months
before the caucuses.
Giuliani and McCain insist they will compete in the Iowa's leadoff caucuses in
January.