Branstad Wants to Kill the Iowa Straw Poll

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad (R) tells the Wall Street Journal he wants to do away with the Ames Straw Poll.

Said Branstad: “I think the straw poll has outlived its usefulness. It has been a great fundraiser for the party but I think its days are over.”

Iowa Republican: “It’s easy to understand why Iowa’s party bosses are quick to disagree with Branstad. The event is a huge moneymaker, creates a ton of media attention for Iowa and the caucuses, and forces candidates to start organizing the state early on in the process. The problem is that the Straw Poll has become a distraction for party staff because they spend more time and money organizing for a fundraiser than they do planning the caucuses.”