"Don't Know" is the Leading Republican candidate in Iowa

[marmar]

from the Iowa Independent:


UIowa Poll shows 'Don't Know,' Romney Leading GOP
by: John Deeth
Thursday (08/09) at 16:49 PM

A new University of Iowa poll shows "Don't Know" leading Iowa Republicans with 35 percent. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is in first place among actual candidates with 22 percent, followed by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani at 10 percent. Arizona Senator John McCain, a one-time front-runner, is at 2 percent. Even Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton have more support from Iowa Republicans.

"Republicans appear to be punishing both Giuliani and McCain for their unwillingness to compete in the Aug. 11 Straw Poll," said political science professor David Redlawsk in a press release announcing the results. Complete results here.

"For Giuliani I don't think the game's over, though he has dropped a lot and is well behind Romney," Redlawsk told Iowa Independent. "For McCain it is a different story -- I am fairly confident he's done in Iowa. Iowa Republicans never really liked him very much, and now they have more reason to go elsewhere. But for any Republican who isn't Romney, it is currently an uphill road."

"While good-old Don't Know remains the leader by quite a lot, Romney is working on developing a sense of inevitability," said Redlawsk. "If he manages to take the straw poll by a large enough margin, he'll make himself even stronger. However, there is still a long time to go and a lot of uncommitted caucus goers -- the race is not settled by any means."

Several candidates are on the bubble of survival, and Saturday's straw poll may eliminate some. Redlawsk says the most likely victim is former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. "I think Huckabee is out" after the straw poll, he said. "While we see some support for (Kansas Sen. Sam) Brownback and for (Colorado Congressman Tom) Tancredo among caucus goers, we get close to no mentions of Huckabee at all."

Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, who has not yet officially entered the race, showed 5 percent support from Iowa Republicans. That puts him third among Republican candidates, but trailing undecided and Obama. "I think a few folks are looking forward to Fred Thompson's entry -- and some of them may currently be in the 'don't know' group," said Redlawsk. "Historically he has not been a dynamic campaigner, he'll be getting in late, and he hasn't yet developed a compelling message. But our polling does show that Republicans are willing -- and some are anxious -- to consider alternatives to the existing slate." .....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://iowaindependent.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=727

[aquart]

1. Can they vote for None of the Above?

[rodeodance]

2. and "I do not recall" is the other phase from them

[eddy51]

3. Free ride on Mitt.

I may take up Mitts offer and get a free ticket and bus ride to Ames this weekend. Can visit some friends, stop in and vote for None of the above, ride home. Lots of nice prairie flowers in the ditch. I hear the food will be good. Our local bus line has sold out on bus's mostly paid for by Mitt I understand.

Edited to add question: Is anyone allowed in, or are you required to be a registered republican?/

[TwilightGardener]

4. The GOP has the weakest, sorriest, most unlikeable crop of people running since

I don't know when. They get what they deserve.