AMES, Iowa - The 2012 Republican presidential race lurched into a new phase Saturday as Iowans weighed in for the first time on their expanding field of presidential hopefuls, picking Michele Bachmann as their top choice for the GOP nomination. Halfway across the country latecomer Texas Gov. Rick Perry formally entered the race, declaring: "America is not broken. Washington, D.C. is broken."
Together, the events were certain to reshuffle the race to face President Barack Obama. Exactly how was anybody's guess, as the candidates sought an early validation that they have widespread appeal, with those further behind in the pack hoping to gain momentum and avoid increased questions over their campaign viability.
A slew of Republicans are seeking the chance to challenge Obama next fall for the leadership of a country facing a recent downgrade in its credit rating, high unemployment and Wall Street tumult. And, from Iowa to South Carolina on Saturday, several of those candidates used their perches before GOP activists in two critical early voting states to castigate the Democratic incumbent and offer themselves as the answer to an ailing America.
Rick Perry is going to get a lot of interest, but this is a big boost for Michele Bachmann," King said. "(Perry's) getting a lot of attention, but you can't take away from her what she's done."
Mitt Romney, a Michigan native and former Massachusetts governor, came in seventh place, with 567 votes.
Romney won the much-watched straw poll four years ago, but lost the Iowa caucuses, undermining his presidential bid. This time, he has been trying to lower expectations.
Dianne Bystrom, a politics expert at Iowa State University, noted Bachmann was fortunate that Pawlenty didn't come in a close second because she and libertarian Paul appeal to different constituencies.
"She's clearly the victor," said Bystrom. "She has to be concerned about Rick Perry. He's a formidable opponent on the right. But (Perry) now will get a lot of media scrutiny."
Bystrom said Romney, who appeals to more establishment Republicans, has the "luxury" of waiting to see how Bachmann and Perry battle it out over the next few months.
"Romney will sit back, above the fray, and keep focused on Obama until he knows who his chief contender is," Bystrom said. "Then he'll attack."
Rep. Thad McCotter, R-Livonia, got 35 votes. He entered the race last month and is a new face to most Iowans.
Christopher Rants, McCotter's Iowa strategist, acknowledged McCotter's underdog status six months out from the Iowa caucuses. But said his candidate had succeeded in a first introduction to Iowans.
"Campaigns get launched at events like this," said Rants. "Anything can happen in a state like Iowa. We've got to get some traction. Thad is committed to working the Iowa process and getting out and meeting Iowans."
The high water mark in the contest was in 1999 when George W. Bush received 7,418 votes, 31.3 percent of those cast.
Adding to the Republican drama this week in Iowa, Sarah Palin, the 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate, was greeted by large crowds of well-wishers Friday at the Iowa State Fair, where she signaled she might run. She will keynote a tea party rally Sept. 3 in a western Des Moines suburb.
If she runs, she would add another top-tier candidate vying for the tea party and evangelical vote.
Perry speaks in Iowa on Sunday. Perry supporters were easily spotted at the straw poll, wearing red shirts. Perry wasn't on the ballot, so supporters wrote his name in.
Attorney Bob Wilson of Coralville, 59, said he supports Perry because, "He's the strongest candidate, with a proven record of economic success. I hope he can do for this country what he's done for Texas.
Together, the events were certain to reshuffle the race to face President Barack Obama. Exactly how was anybody's guess, as the candidates sought an early validation that they have widespread appeal, with those further behind in the pack hoping to gain momentum and avoid increased questions over their campaign viability.
A slew of Republicans are seeking the chance to challenge Obama next fall for the leadership of a country facing a recent downgrade in its credit rating, high unemployment and Wall Street tumult. And, from Iowa to South Carolina on Saturday, several of those candidates used their perches before GOP activists in two critical early voting states to castigate the Democratic incumbent and offer themselves as the answer to an ailing America.
Rick Perry is going to get a lot of interest, but this is a big boost for Michele Bachmann," King said. "(Perry's) getting a lot of attention, but you can't take away from her what she's done."
Mitt Romney, a Michigan native and former Massachusetts governor, came in seventh place, with 567 votes.
Romney won the much-watched straw poll four years ago, but lost the Iowa caucuses, undermining his presidential bid. This time, he has been trying to lower expectations.
Dianne Bystrom, a politics expert at Iowa State University, noted Bachmann was fortunate that Pawlenty didn't come in a close second because she and libertarian Paul appeal to different constituencies.
"She's clearly the victor," said Bystrom. "She has to be concerned about Rick Perry. He's a formidable opponent on the right. But (Perry) now will get a lot of media scrutiny."
Bystrom said Romney, who appeals to more establishment Republicans, has the "luxury" of waiting to see how Bachmann and Perry battle it out over the next few months.
"Romney will sit back, above the fray, and keep focused on Obama until he knows who his chief contender is," Bystrom said. "Then he'll attack."
Rep. Thad McCotter, R-Livonia, got 35 votes. He entered the race last month and is a new face to most Iowans.
Christopher Rants, McCotter's Iowa strategist, acknowledged McCotter's underdog status six months out from the Iowa caucuses. But said his candidate had succeeded in a first introduction to Iowans.
"Campaigns get launched at events like this," said Rants. "Anything can happen in a state like Iowa. We've got to get some traction. Thad is committed to working the Iowa process and getting out and meeting Iowans."
The high water mark in the contest was in 1999 when George W. Bush received 7,418 votes, 31.3 percent of those cast.
Adding to the Republican drama this week in Iowa, Sarah Palin, the 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate, was greeted by large crowds of well-wishers Friday at the Iowa State Fair, where she signaled she might run. She will keynote a tea party rally Sept. 3 in a western Des Moines suburb.
If she runs, she would add another top-tier candidate vying for the tea party and evangelical vote.
Perry speaks in Iowa on Sunday. Perry supporters were easily spotted at the straw poll, wearing red shirts. Perry wasn't on the ballot, so supporters wrote his name in.
Attorney Bob Wilson of Coralville, 59, said he supports Perry because, "He's the strongest candidate, with a proven record of economic success. I hope he can do for this country what he's done for Texas.
No comments:
Post a Comment