If Romney had not gone to Iowa, not spent the money and not brought in thousands of volunteers would he have still won?
The big dollar spender doesn’t always win the Straw poll, but it doesn’t hurt to have the dollars..... In 1999 Forbes spent an estimated $2 million vs. Gov. Bush at some $850,000 and lost to Bush 31.3% to 20.8%. In 1987 Pat Robertson won with 33.6% against Dole at 24.9% and GWH Bush at 22.5% [Dole was 2nd and won the caucus, Bush was 3rd and won the primaries and presidency].