Iowa governor: Straw poll 'outlived usefulness'

Catalina Camia, USA TODAY | USATODAY

Could the end be near for the Iowa Straw Poll?

"I think the straw poll has outlived its usefulness," Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, a Republican, told The Wall Street Journal. "It has been a great fundraiser for the party, but I think its days are over."

GOP presidential candidates have participated in the Ames ritual going back to 1979. They buy tent space and pay to get their supporters out in force — providing food, entertainment and even a political speech or two — in the hopes of a good showing. The event raises money for the Iowa GOP.

The results aren't binding — and they've rarely been a predictor of who will win the Iowa caucuses or the presidential nomination — but they can be a sign of enthusiasm for a candidate and potential grass-roots support.

Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann won the Iowa Straw Poll last summer, but she couldn't translate that into votes at the GOP presidential caucuses in January. She dropped out after the caucuses. Ex-Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty finished a dismal third at the straw poll and ended his White House bid the next day.

A.J. Spiker, chairman of the Iowa Republican Party, sounded miffed when he spoke to the Journal. "Gov. Branstad is wrong, and this is not a decision he will make anyway," Spiker is quoted as saying. "It is a decision the party and the candidates will make."

Before becoming state party chairman, Spiker was a key supporter of Ron Paul's presidential campaign. The Texas congressman came in second to Bachmann in the 2011 straw poll.

Stay tuned.