Republican presidential candidate, Rep. Michele Bachmann,
R-Minn., arrives at a breakfast before the GOP Ames Straw Poll in
Ames, Iowa, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles
Dharapak)
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AMES, Iowa — Waterloo native Michele Bachmann fired a resounding opening volley in the race for the Republican Party’s 2012 presidential nomination Saturday by besting her competitors in the much-watched Iowa GOP straw poll.
The Minnesota congresswoman finished first with 4,823 votes of the 16,892 Iowa Republicans who cast ballots.
That was 200 ahead of Texas Rep. Ron Paul, who finished second in the $30-per-vote fundraiser that was the first measurable test of early support in the state that will launch the nominating process with its precinct caucuses next year.
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty was a distance third, and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum was fourth.
