Des Moines Register
07-19-07
Iowa GOP expects bigger straw poll than '99
THOMAS BEAUMONT
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
Iowa Republican Party officials said today they expect turnout at the party's
presidential straw poll next month to draw more attendees than the last one eight
years ago, despite planned no-shows by some of best-known candidates.
Chuck Laudner, executive director of the Republican Party of Iowa, said he is
expecting more than 38,000 GOP activists to attend the Aug. 11 event on Iowa
State University campus and more than 24,000 to cast a ballot for their
preferred candidate.
The event has been viewed as a key test of organizing strength for candidates
hoping to compete in Iowa's leadoff nominating caucuses.
Its meaning was thrown into question last month when former New York Mayor
Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Sen. John McCain decided not to attend.
"We anticipate that we're going to have at the very minimum the '99 totals,"
Laudner said at a midday news conference. "This is where the caucus process
really kicks off. A quarter to a third of caucus attendees will be at this event."
Laudner said the reason he expects higher turnout is the effort that groups such
as the National Rifle Association are exerting to promote the event. Tickets are
$35 and went on sale today at iowagop.net.
Laudner also announced details about the event, which is expected to draw eight
Republican candidates.
Among the other details are that radio talk show host Laura Ingraham is
scheduled to emcee the daylong political program in and around ISU's Hilton
Coliseum.
Candidates planning to attend and speak during the program are Kansas Sen.
Sam Brownback, Chicago businessman John Cox, former Arkansas Gov. Mike
Huckabee, U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter of California, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas,
former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado
and former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson.
All eight names, as well as those of Giuliani, McCain and former Tennessee Sen.
Fred Thompson, will appear on the ballot. Voting will begin at 10 a.m. and end at
6 p.m., at roughly 50 voting machines at locations in and around Hilton.
Ticketholders who want to vote must be Iowa residents and show state
identification.