Ames Straw Poll Could Legitimize Bachmann, Upset Romney

August 9, 2011 by Marcy Bonebright

MICHELE BACHMANN

Representative Michele Bachmann is largely believed to be the frontrunner going into Iowa’s straw poll in Ames, but the poll’s results could have an important impact all across the GOP Presidential race.

Saturday’s straw poll in Ames, Iowa, and the Fox News-hosted debate on the Thursday preceding it are certain to shake up the field of candidates seeking the 2012 Republican Presidential nod. While the widely regarded GOP frontrunner, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, is not participating in the poll, whoever wins is certain to emerge as his main opponent. And many people believe that emerging victor will be Representative Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.).

“She is clearly the favorite right now, but she faces a real test in Thursday’s pre-Straw Poll debate hosted by Fox News,â€