Giuliani, McCain absence to have little effect on Iowa Straw Poll

There are mixed reactions as to how the absence of dwindling presidential candidates Rudy Giuliani and John McCain from the Iowa Straw Poll will affect turnout and prominence of the poll.


"It's a signal for the Iowa Republican Party to say we can't hold together our largest fundraiser," said former state GOP finance chairwoman Diane Crookham Johnson of Oskaloosa. "I think Fred Thompson is going to be a big signal. If he decides he doesn't need to be in it, it's probably the end of it."


No Fred Thompson, Rudy Giuliani or John McCain in attendance equals the end of the Iowa Straw Poll? "As far as the bottom line, no, it doesn't really affect it," says Chuck Laudner, the executive director of the Iowa Republican Party.


Many are expecting a lower turnout this year than in years past, but all major television stations have committed to covering the event, special-interest groups like the NRA are planning to attend and so in former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who is posturing for his own presidential run. There is also increased interest in lesser-known candidates such as Mike Huckabee, Tommy Thompson, Ron Paul and Sam Brownback, some of which have been using Internet sites like Meetup.com to organize groups to attend the Ames straw poll.