Vote counting is underway in the U.S. state of Iowa following a key test for Republican presidential contenders seeking to challenge President Barack Obama in the 2012 election.
Balloting for the “straw poll” took place Saturday in the city of Ames, Iowa.
The poll is a mock election with no official standing. But it is an important test for measuring Republican sentiment for candidates seeking to unseat Mr. Obama.
Candidates on the Iowa ballot included Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who national surveys have shown is the top choice of Republican voters to be the party's nominee. But some surveys found Iowa voters may favor Michele Bachmann, a member of the House of Representatives and favorite of conservative Tea Party activists seeking lower taxes and a smaller U.S. government.
Meanwhile, Texas Governor Rick Perry shook up the Republican race by announcing his candidacy in South Carolina. He is considered a formidable Republican challenger, with a strong record of Texas job growth and one that could appeal to social and economic conservatives. He is also a favorite of the Tea Party movement.
In a speech Saturday, Perry slammed Mr. Obama's economic record and argued that Americans cannot afford four more years of what he called “rudderless leadership.” He also vowed to fix the economy and make government “inconsequential” in the lives of Americans.
National surveys have shown Perry is second behind Romney as a favorite to be the Republican nominee. Perry plans to visit Iowa on Sunday.
Others on the Iowa ballot were former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, two other former governors, Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and Jon Huntsman of Utah, and a Texas congressman, libertarian Ron Paul. Georgia businessman Herman Cain and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum were also on the ballot.
Another potential candidate, former Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, was not on the ballot. She has not said whether she will run for president, but she visited Iowa's annual fair ahead of the straw poll to greet voters.
