Bachmann, Ron Paul top two in Ames Straw Poll

Image has not been found. URL: http://images.americanindependent.com/2012-80.jpgAMES — Not surprisingly, charismatic Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-Minn) took top prize the 2011 Ames Straw Poll with4,823 votes.

Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas) placed second with 4,671 votes.

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty took third with 2,293 votes.

Bachmann emphasized her Iowa roots during her remarks Saturday, and spoke little of her life and political record in the state of Minnesota. She preceded her Straw Poll presence Friday afternoon at the Iowa State Fair, where she took the opportunity to make one last Straw Poll appeal.

It worked.

Paul, a long-time Congressman and doctor also appeared to win over many attendees Saturday, as he received multiple standing ovations as he emphatically stated his anti-abortion, anti-war, limited-government platform. The Texan has campaigned heavily in Iowa prior to the Straw Poll, and won the poll’s auction, spending $31,000 on prime real estate that had been taken by 2007 Straw Poll winner Mitt Romney four years ago.

Pawlenty, often characterized as being too nice by political pundits, shed his “Minnesota nice” persona during Thursday’s presidental debate to lash out at Bachmann, saying her Congressional record is “non-existent.”

A total of 16,892 people cast votes in the 2011 Ames Straw Poll.

The full results:

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn) — 4,823

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) — 4,671

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty — 2,293

Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Penn) — 1,657

Businessman Herman Cain — 1,456

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney – 567

Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich — 385

Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr. — 69

U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich) — 35

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who was not on the ballot, received 718 write-in votes.

Check out the Iowa Independent Monday morning for the latest edition of 2012 power rankings and full 2011 Straw Poll analysis.