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==2007 Iowa Straw Poll==  

==2007 Iowa Straw Poll==  

The 2007 Iowa straw poll is held August 11th and consists of Republican primary candidates [[Mitt Romney]], [[Mike Huckabee]], [[Tom Tancredo]], [[John Cox]], [[Ron Paul]], [[Duncan Hunter]], [[Tommy Thompson]] and [[Sam Brownback]]<ref>http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070625/NEWS/70625033/1001</ref>. Presidential primary candidates [[John McCain]] and [[Rudy Giuliani]] decided not to participate in the straw poll<ref>http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-06-06-iowa-straw-poll_N.htm</ref>, allegedly because of time and resources constraints. Organizers expect there will be 40,000 Iowa Republicans at this year's straw poll<ref>http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2007/07/20/news/local/doc46a04563cde01862465366.txt</ref>. [[Laura Ingraham]] is the Master of Ceremonies. <ref>http://www.iowagop.net/downloads/Straw.Poll.Info.pdf</ref>

The 2007 Iowa straw poll is held August 11th and consists of Republican primary candidates [[Mitt Romney]], [[Mike Huckabee]], [[Tom Tancredo]], [[John Cox]], [[Ron Paul]], [[Duncan Hunter]], [[Tommy Thompson]] and [[Sam Brownback]]<ref>http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070625/NEWS/70625033/1001</ref>. Presidential primary candidates [[John McCain]] and [[Rudy Giuliani]] decided not to participate in the straw poll<ref>http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-06-06-iowa-straw-poll_N.htm</ref>, allegedly because of time and resources constraints. Organizers expected a crowed of 40,000 Iowa Republicans at 2007 straw poll, but campaign estimates showed a sharp decline from the 1999 straw poll with just 14,000 Iowans casting straw ballots, compared to 23,500 voters in the 1999 straw poll<ref>http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/</ref>. Conservative talk show host [[Laura Ingraham]] served as Master of Ceremonies. <ref>http://www.iowagop.net/downloads/Straw.Poll.Info.pdf</ref>

Some Republican primary candidates have stated that they will not remain in the primary race unless they have a good showing at the straw poll. Mike Huckabee has said he will reconsider his race if he does not get in the top half of the straw poll votes. Tommy Thompson has said he will step down from the race if he does not finish in the top two straw poll spots.   

Some Republican primary candidates stated that they will not remain in the primary race unless they have a good showing at the straw poll. Mike Huckabee said he will reconsider his race if he does not get in the top half of the straw poll votes. Tommy Thompson has said he will step down from the race if he does not finish in the top two straw poll spots.   

The three House members competing, Representatives Duncan Hunter of California, Ron Paul of Texas and Tom Tancredo of Colorado, have vowed to stay in the race, regardless of their placement in the Iowa Straw Poll<ref>http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=ap55FE7Ol9O8&refer=us</ref>.

The three House members competing, Representatives Duncan Hunter of California, Ron Paul of Texas and Tom Tancredo of Colorado, have vowed to stay in the race, regardless of their placement in the Iowa Straw Poll<ref>http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=ap55FE7Ol9O8&refer=us</ref>.