It assumes that since Jeb isn't going to participate that the whole thing is meaningless.
I have two words to say to that:
Rudy Guliani
Then it also says that since Jeb wont be there all the conservatives will only be beating up on themselves...
um... no they will be beating up on Jeb and other RINO’s who because they are not there wont be able to defend themselves.
That's a win for the conservatives :)
I think you are confusing the Iowa Straw poll with the Iowa Caucuses. Giuliani did participate in the straw poll (and didn’t do particularly well) in 2007. He decided to sit out the Iowa Caucus (and other early states). That turned out to be a bad strategy.
The Iowa Caucuses can mean a lot, whether or not you agree with the notion that Iowa should wield so much power. The Iowa Straw Poll is a GOP fundraiser that needs to die.