Special Report: Bachmann Wins Iowa Straw Poll

Michele Bachmann has won the Iowa straw poll. Apparently, there were people who bused in to Iowa just for the chance to vote for her. This completely baffles me, but I do know that she has a base who are probably just as bigoted as she is. Since most of them do say that they love her platform. And, that only makes sense, because if you don't love a candidate's platform you probably aren't going to vote for them.

She came in with the most votes at 29 percent, followed by Ron Paul at her heels with 28 percent of the vote. Unfortunately for Tim Pawlenty, he only won 14 percent even though he spent a million smackers on his campaign for that straw poll.

Pawlenty, however, was not deterred. He apparently took this as a blessing in disguise and from all accounts he seems to be intent on continuing his campaign.

I can understand this, though. Even though he came in so poorly, and even though Bachmann won, it really doesn't have a lot of bearing on anything. Its rare, although admittedly not unheard of, for a straw poll winner to go on to become a presidential winner. Likewise for a straw poll loser to stay a loser in a presidential election. Whether or not any of the straw poll participants go on to win the GOP nomination is still a coin toss. And, even if they did, it would still be iffy as to whether they'd actually win the 2012 election.

Personally, I'm not surprised that so many people showed up at this event, even from out of state. They were giving out free barbecue. I can speak from experience when I say that Southerners and Midwesterners do love our barbecue. And we do love free meals. And look...there were both wrapped into one there at many of the the candidates' tents. And I guess while they were there, they figured they might as well vote.

Nevertheless, this mock election makes me want to do a facepalm. Seriously, Iowa? Michele Bachmann was the best out of all of those candidates? I know that the crop you had to choose from was sad and pathetic, but you thought she was the least sad and pathetic? Wow. I mean, I'd have a hard time choosing someone to vote for out of those people, too. But, her? Really? I'm ashamed to call myself a Midwesterner. Especially since I live so close to Iowa.

I personally think that the GOP will ultimately consider her too polarizing and decline to nominate her as their candidate. But, who knows? Right now, it is too soon to tell what the GOP will decide to do. Although, it might be a boon to progressives if this woman is nominated as the official regressive candidate. I don't think it would be difficult to beat her in the elections at all. Which might ultimately be what sinks her nomination with the GOP in favor of a different candidate instead.