The Ames Iowa straw pool means a number of things. Not only is it a show case, it usually spells the end for at least one candidate’s presidential dreams.
It looks like it will be Rick Santorum’s turn.
From CNN:
Des Moines, Iowa (CNN) – On Friday, Rick Santorum suggested he could become the first political casualty of the 2012 presidential race.
Just over two months after his official presidential campaign began, the Republican candidate intimated it could soon end - if he's not "in the top five" in Saturday's Ames Straw Poll. The Republican presidential candidate spoke with CNN Chief Political Correspondent Candy Crowley at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.
"I think we have to be in the top five. I mean if we're eight or ninth - if we're not in the top five - this tells me that we don't have the organizational ability to get this thing done," Santorum told Crowley.
"This is a marathon. We got to show that we're building a team and so I'm kind of drawing the line there."
The Ames contest is seen as a test of a candidate's organization and popularity in Iowa.
If the former Pennsylvania senator does "draw the line" after a weak finish in Ames, it would surely be a devastating end to a long flirtation with a presidential bid.
In the past two years, Santorum has visited early presidential primary and caucus states – like Iowa and New Hampshire – scrounging for support. In June of this year, he announced his formal presidential campaign.
Since then, Santorum has barnstormed Iowa, home to the nation's first presidential contest. In the past few weeks alone, he – along with his wife and seven children – has traveled across Iowa selling his economic message and brand of conservatism.
Read the full story here: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/12/santorum-poor-resul...
Rick Santorum is a really nice guy. He is totally committed to conservative beliefs. Is he really Presidential material? No, not really. Santorum’s most memorable moment of the campaign was Thursday night, an hour into the debate, when he waved his and said, “hey, we aren’t getting a lot of time over here.”
He was a good senator, who was absolutely savaged by the radical left. He’s the kind of guy who would make a great next door neighbor, but leaving the Presidential race is probably the best move for him.
Santorum ran well, but after tonight it will be time for him to say good bye.
Permalink Reply by Sunny on I recently saw an interview with Rick S and Al Sharpton. Rick was going really good until he completely kowtowed to the
arrogant one (Al S.) Rick would be a great next door neighbor but definitely not presidential material. Michele B. is the most conservative candidate. And America needs her!
Permalink Reply by Gary Covington on Sorry Guys I like Rick Santorum and I think he would make an excellent president. Certainly better than Bachmann or Tim Pawlenty, which both made complete idiots of themselves at the debate. If Rick makes it past the straw polls I am backing him all the way and I am not the only one after the debate which was aired in lot of public places Rick got alot of support behind him. Where Bachmann, Pawlenty, Ron Paul, Romney lost alot of support. Romney did his usual job of dodging the issues, Paul although correct and shows clarity on issues and is probably one of the most honest candidates we will ever find, has to much of an isolationist attitude on foreign policy. Tim Pawlenty, is all about Tim Pawlenty. Herman Cain did fairly well except when he made the statement, We need a sense of humor, that hurt him alittle. Newt, got into an argument with one of the Fox commentators which didn't help him out, but he did come out stronger than the others in most of his other statements. Huntsman is a RINO trying to convience everyone hat he's not. But Rick Santorum actually had to get in the fox commentators face to get some attention, which told me that no one has been taking him serious this whole time and should be taken serious. Rick is a good guy and a good conservative and okay so he hasn't voted no on some issues or yes on others. But as we found out Bachmann can be accused of the same. So before everyone here starts to down on Santorum because someone here says they don't like him because he didn't vote on every issue they way they wanted him to. Just remember that even Bachmann isn't perfect when it comes to politics. Well the poll is done Bachmann won the straw poll. But Rick Santorum came in 4th which isn't to bad out of eight candidates running so I don't think he is out of the game yet. And this is just one state people, one out of 50, unless your Obama then you think you have 57 states. And we elected this man president?! Anyway like I said I am backing Santorum. I like Cain but I just don't know if he is going to go anywhere but I will keep following him to. Personally I would go for a Trump and a Cain ticket. Both excellent business men and put the both of them together running this country, we can be a power house in under six yrs again. But thats another discussion for another day. God Bless.
Permalink Reply by Steve D on Permalink Reply by Ben Burton on Permalink Reply by Sue Ellen King on 
Permalink Reply by Doug Sheets on Permalink Reply by Ken B on Permalink Reply by Sandy Mazurek on Permalink Reply by Doug Sheets on Permalink Reply by Lois K. Knoffer on Our friend George Bush and the RNC had much to do with Rick's loss! We got Arlan Spector for
that little trick who then turned to dem which he always was. Talk about rotten politics!
Permalink Reply by Trisha Holman on © 2013 Created by Judson Phillips.
