Iowa straw poll a first test for Republicans

AMES, Iowa, Aug 11 (Reuters) Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney and a handful of lesser-known rivals hunted for votes in Iowa today at an informal straw poll that offered the first big test of the 2008 White House race.

Iowa Republicans began lining up at mid-morning to vote in the nonbinding mock election, with Romney an overwhelming favorite to win and several candidates slugging it out for a second-place finish they hope will vault them into contention.

''We're going to send a message to the entire nation that we want to see a Washington that can actually get the job done,'' Romney told supporters, many wearing yellow ''Team Mitt'' T-shirts, shortly after voting started.

The voting continues all day, with the results announced at 7 pm (0530 hrs IST).

The pressure is on Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and the leader in Iowa state polls, to win big since the other three top national contenders -- former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson -- decided to skip the poll.

The straw poll, an Iowa tradition since 1979, is an early test of a campaign's organizational strength in the state that holds the first nominating contest. It often thins the field of weaker candidates and gives the winner a temporary shot of momentum.

Kansas Sen Sam Brownback and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, in particular, have battled Romney for the support of Iowa's large bloc of social conservative voters. They were among a half-dozen second-tier candidates who hoped the poll would give them a chance to shine.

SUPPORTERS BUSED IN ''The people of Iowa know that elections and the future of our country are based on principles, not on personalities,'' Brownback said in the text of a speech he planned to deliver to poll-goers inside Iowa State University's basketball arena later today.

Buses of supporters from around the state rolled into the straw poll grounds around the arena carrying Romney, Brownback and Huckabee supporters. Each campaign set up a tent and enticed supporters with free food and entertainment.

Volunteers for Texas Rep. Ron Paul, a libertarian who registers in the low single digits in polls but has a large Internet following, swarmed the poll grounds. Party officials expected about 40,000 people to attend.

Romney's area, twice the size of many of his rivals', featured a rock climbing area and kids' play area, with two large tents giving supporters a chance to eat their free food out of the broiling sun.

Any Iowa resident at least 18 years old, regardless of party, can vote in the poll, which is a fund-raiser for the Iowa Republican Party. A ticket to vote costs 35 dollars, and most campaigns were footing the bill for their supporters.

For the biggest losers, the poll could mean a quick exit.

In 1999, four Republicans dropped out of the race within weeks of losing the straw poll to then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush as he started his road to the White House.

Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson has said anything less than a top two finish will be the end for him, and several other candidates could face similar decisions.

''We've got a tremendous opportunity to show the country that Iowa, not the political pundits in Washington, make the selection,'' Thompson told supporters jammed into his tent.

REUTERS RSA RAI0028