Bachmann wins Ames straw poll

By Domenico Montanaro, Political Reporter, NBC News

AMES, Iowa -- Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has won the Ames Straw Poll with 29% of the vote, edging out Rep. Ron Paul by 152 votes, or 28%.

Tim Pawlenty, who needed a strong finish, was further back in third with 14%.

Rick Santorum, who has campaigned more than anyone, pulled in 10% and Herman Cain got 9%. Rick Perry, who wasn't on the ballot, but had a concerted write-in effort here, got 718 votes, or 4%, ahead of Mitt Romney, the presumed front runner for the nomination, who pulled in 567 votes (3%), Newt Gingrich 385 votes (2%), Jon Huntsman 69 votes and Rep. Thaddeus McCotter 35 votes.

The total number of voters was high, 16,892, about 3,000 votes more than 2007. It was the second-highest turnout ever for the straw poll.

Here are the official votes from the Iowa GOP:

2011 Straw Poll Full Results (Votes, %)
1. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (4823, 28.55%)
2. Congressman Ron Paul (4671, 27.65%)
3. Governor Tim Pawlenty (2293, 13.57%)
4. Senator Rick Santorum (1657, 9.81%)
5. Herman Cain(1456, 8.62%)
6. Governor Rick Perry (718, 3.62%) write-in
7. Governor Mitt Romney (567, 3.36%)
8. Speaker Newt Gingrich (385, 2.28%)
9. Governor Jon Huntsman (69, 0.41%)
10. Congressman Thad McCotter (35, 0.21%)
Scattering (162, 0.96 %) Includes all those receiving votes at less than one-percent that were not on the ballot.

*** UPDATE *** Here's some reaction from candidates:

Tim Pawlenty: “Congratulations to Congresswoman Michele Bachmann for her victory in today's straw poll. We made progress in moving from the back of the pack into a competitive position for the caucuses, but we have a lot more work to do. This is a long process to restore America -- we are just beginning and I'm looking forward to a great campaign."

*** UPDATE 2 *** Mitt Romney Tweeted: "Congratulations to Michele Bachmann for winning the Iowa GOP's straw poll. Look forward to crossing paths on the campaign trail."

*** UPDATE 3 *** NBC's Catherine Chomiak reports that Santorum said he feels great about the results being so close to third place, considering the three candidates ahead of him spent more than him. He said they did everything the old fashioned way and that voters are hearing his message and responding to it. He's heading back to Pennsylvania after the poll. Since he has no bus, he and his wife are driving their car back.

Source: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20 ... straw-poll

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Perry announces for president

By NBC's Carrie Dann

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Whatever you call it -- a "shake-up," a "game change," a "political earthquake," or "a new face on the scene" -- it's happening. Gov. Rick Perry is officially in the presidential race.

Speaking to a crowded hotel ballroom of conservative bloggers and more than 100 members of the media in South Carolina, the Texas governor unveiled a new tagline of his presidential contest: "It is time to get America working again."

'That's why, with the support of my family and unwavering belief in the goodness of America, I declare to you today as a candidate for president of the United States," he said.

Perry's remarks focused squarely on America's economic situation, and he held the Obama administration flatly responsible for sluggish job growth and the recent downgrade of the country's credit rating by Standard and Poor's.

"One in six work-eligible Americans cannot find a full-time job," Perry said. "That is not a recovery -- that is an economic disaster."

Highlighting his background as the son of tenant farmers who grew up in a tiny Texas town wearing clothes hand-sewn by his mother, Perry -- with a characteristic Texas twang -- said that Washington lawmakers are detached from the everyday lives of American citizens.

"I promise you this," he said to rousing cheers. "I'll work every day to try to make Washington, D.C., as inconsequential in your life as I can."

The Texas governor's entry is all but certain to jolt the base voters of other candidates in the GOP field and ensure dramatic competition in early contest states Iowa and South Carolina. His pitch to the evangelical Christian community, on full display last weekend at his 30,000-strong day of prayer and fasting in Houston, could pull support from Iowa front-runner Rep. Michele Bachmann. And his record of job creation in Texas, which will serve as a key selling point for his national campaign, will be measured against the tenure of other former statewide officials in the race like perceived front-runner and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

(Video at source: Texas Governor Rick Perry announces his presidential candidacy while speaking to a crowd of supporters in Charleston, S.C., on Saturday.)

Source: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20 ... -president