Huckabee Suprise!!

Romney Wins, as Huckabee Takes Second in Iowa Poll (Update1)
By Hans Nichols

Aug. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, won the Iowa straw poll, securing his status as the leading Republican in a state that has dashed the ambitions of many would-be presidents.

``This important victory sends a signal to grassroots Republican activists across the country that we are working hard to earn their support,'' said Romney, who received 4,516 of the 14,302 ballots cast, for 31 percent.

He was followed by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who secured a surprising 2,587 votes, at 18 percent. Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas came in third place, with 2,197 votes at 15 percent.

With former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Senator John McCain skipping the event, and Romney the presumed winner, the race was largely about who would come in second.

``For all practical purposes, we won the Iowa straw poll,'' Huckabee said. ``No one gets more mileage for their money,'' he said, referring to his shoestring campaign.

Brownback, Huckabee's main competitor for second place, had a more organized Ames operation, complete an air-conditioned tent for his supporters. By contrast, Huckabee's effort was a ragtag affair in the sweltering heat. His campaign could only afford to purchase 1,800 tickets, far fewer than he needed to come in second.

Early Indication
In fourth place was Representative Tom Tancredo of Colorado at 13 percent, followed by Representative Ron Paul of Texas at 9 percent and former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson at 7 percent. Representative Duncan Hunter of California, Giuliani, McCain and Fred Thompson all received a little over 1 percent.

Part political rally, part summer festival, part fund- raiser, the event on the campus of Iowa State University won't award any of the delegates that will determine the 2008 Republican presidential nominee. Nonetheless, it gives an early indication of Iowa Republican sentiment before the state caucuses traditionally held in January, mainly by determining who leaves the stage.

All week, analysts and campaign advisers have predicted that the event in Ames, Iowa, would winnow the crowded field of nine candidates. Days after the 1999 contest, Republican Senators Elizabeth Dole and Lamar Alexander and former Vice President Dan Quayle all ended their quests.

Romney had a distinct advantage in cash and organization, having raised the most money among all the Republican presidential candidates this year. The money helped Romney blanket Iowa with advertising. It also bought plenty of the $35 tickets needed for each supporter to vote and pay for buses to get them to Ames.

A strong showing in Ames doesn't guarantee success in the delegate-selection caucus, traditionally the first contest in the presidential nomination race. In 1996, then-Senator Phil Gramm of Texas tied fellow Senator Bob Dole of Kansas in the straw poll, only to finish fifth at the caucus in January. Dole went on to win the Republican nomination.

In 1979, George H.W. Bush, the president's father, won the straw poll, only to lose the nomination to Ronald Reagan, who went on to win the presidency.

To contact the reporter on this story: Hans Nichols in Ames, Iowa, at Hnichols2@bloomberg.net . Last Updated: August 11, 2007 23:26 EDT