Gilmore Will Join Candidates Bypassing Iowa Straw Poll
SPRINGFIELD, VA - Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore said today his campaign will not participate in the Aug. 11th Iowa straw poll. Gilmore said today the resources of his campaign will be better utilized if they are instead focused on the Iowa caucuses in January.
Gilmore has made a half dozen trips to Iowa in recent months, has a campaign staff member at work in the state and made the official announcement of his candidacy from Iowa GOP headquarters in Des Moines.
Gilmore said today "unfortunately, the results of the August Iowa straw poll are going to be determined solely by which candidate is willing to spend the most money and will have little to do with the candidate's conservative appeal to Republican voters."
The Republican campaigns of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and U.S. Sen. John McCain have announced they are by passing the August straw poll as well. Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, a potential candidate, is also reported to be considering not participating in the straw poll.
