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[[Image:IowaStrawPoll3.JPG‎|thumb|250px|Thousands of Iowa Straw Poll attenders gather in the [[University of Iowa]] convention arena.]]

[[Image:IowaStrawPoll3.JPG‎|thumb|250px|Thousands of Iowa Straw Poll attenders gather in the [[University of Iowa]] convention arena.]]

The '''Ames Straw Poll''', known more widely as the '''Iowa Straw Poll''', is the most prominent [[Republican]] presidential [[straw poll]]. The Straw Poll, sponsored by the Iowa GOP, is held at [[Iowa State University]] the August before any Republican presidential primary. Although the straw poll is a non-binding political activity, it has been used as a measuring stick of the viability of candidates presidential bid. The Ames Straw Poll,  which charges $35 for each admission, also acts as a fund raising event for the Iowa Republican party. Voting is open to all party affiliations<ref>http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Story?id=3460114&page=1</ref>.  Along with the straw poll, attendants are invited to somewhat of a carnival; including barbecues, inflatable playground equipment for kids, music, and supporters rallying for their candidates<ref>http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2007/08/live_from_the_s.html</ref>.  

The '''Ames Straw Poll''', known more widely as the '''Iowa Straw Poll''', is the most prominent [[Republican]] presidential [[straw poll]]. The Straw Poll, sponsored by the Iowa GOP, is held at [[Iowa State University]] the August before any Republican presidential primary. Although it is a non-binding political activity, it has been used as a measuring stick of the viability of candidates presidential bid. The Ames Straw Poll,  which charges $35 for each admission, also acts as a fund raising event for the Iowa Republican party. Voting is open to all party affiliations<ref>http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Story?id=3460114&page=1</ref>.  Along with the straw poll, attendants are invited to somewhat of a carnival; including barbecues, inflatable playground equipment for kids, music, and supporters rallying for their candidates<ref>http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2007/08/live_from_the_s.html</ref>.  

   

   

Because of the significance of the straw poll, primary candidates have spent large sums of money purchasing pre-paid ballots for supporters. In 2004, [[Steve Forbes]] and [[George W. Bush]] each spent over $2 million on tickets and activities for the Iowa Straw Poll<ref>http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DE6D91039F936A2575BC0A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print</ref>. The Iowa Straw Poll has also been a hive for media, with over 250 news organizations on hand during the 1999 straw poll.  

Because of the significance of the straw poll, primary candidates have spent large sums of money purchasing pre-paid ballots for supporters. In 2004, [[Steve Forbes]] and [[George W. Bush]] each spent over $2 million on tickets and activities for the Iowa Straw Poll<ref>http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DE6D91039F936A2575BC0A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print</ref>. The Iowa Straw Poll has also been a hive for media, with over 250 news organizations on hand during the 1999 straw poll.