The Iowa straw poll took place on Saturday with Michele Bachmann edging out Ron Paul by 152 votes. Bachmann received 4,823 votes to Paul’s 4,671. Tim Pawlenty finished third, Rick Santorum fourth and Herman Cain fifth. Rick Perry announced his intention to run for president on Saturday and finished 6th despite receiving only write-in votes.
Some significant quotes about the presidential campaigns and the significance of the Iowa straw poll.
* “This is the first step toward taking the White House in 2012…And you have sent a message that Barack Obama will be a one-term president. This is a wonderful down payment on taking the country back — and it started in Iowa.” — Minnesota Congresswoman and Republican candidate Michele Bachmann.
* “We are social conservatives, and we will never be ashamed of being social conservatives — We understand that religious liberty is the essence of the foothold of this nation.”– Bachmann.
* “Liberty and life does not come from the government,” he said. “It comes from our creator.” — Texas Congressman and Republican candidate Ron Paul.
* “We made progress in moving from the back of the pack into a competitive position. … We are just beginning, and I’m looking forward to a great campaign.” — Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
* “We needed a boost from Ames that didn’t happen. … The pathway forward for me doesn’t really exist and so we’re going to end the campaign.” — Pawlenty.
* “I had to use my talents, skills and abilities to do something about this nation and get it off the wrong track…This giant has awakened and is not going back to sleep.” — Republican Candidate Herman Cain.
* “In reality this is the most recent downgrade. … The fact is for nearly three years, President Obama has been downgrading American jobs, downgrading American standing in the world, downgrading our financial stability, downgrading confidence, and downgrading the hope for a better future for our children.” — Texas Gov. and Republican candidate Rick Perry.
* “If you’re not in the top three here, your chances of getting elected are not very good.” — Iowa Gov. Terry Brandstad.
Source: Paul Steinhauser and Peter Hamby, Bachmann wins Iowa straw poll, narrowly besting Ron Paul, CNN.com
Peter Hamby, Pawlenty drops out of presidential race, CNN.com
Jim Acosta, Shawna Shepherd and Erika Dimmler, It’s official: Rick Perry is running for President, CNN.com