The 2016 Ames Straw Poll is a go, and everyone is conflicted about it

Hot Air ^ | January 9, 2015 | Noah Rothman

[C19fan]

The Republican National Committee has caved. Despite widespread criticism of the Ames Straw Poll, a first-in-the-nation contest in which Republican candidates vie for bragging rights associated with a victory, the GOP determined that the poll could go forward again in 2016.

There were reservations. The Republican National Committee has been concerned about the straw poll’s increasing failure to reflect the ultimate preferences of Iowa’s Republican voters (which, for that matter, often fail to reflect the preferences of Republican voters nationally). In 2011, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) emerged from Ames victorious. In 2007, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney took the top slot. Neither would go on to win the Iowa caucuses or the party’s nomination.

[C19fan]

The Ames Straw Poll is a joke. The only reason the media covers the State Fair sideshow is because they need material during the slower summer months. Before 24 hour news I never ever heard of it.

[Vigilanteman]

Straw is what livestock sh*t in.

[entropy12]

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/iowa-ames-straw-poll-114145.html?hp=t1_l