The Ames, Iowa Straw Poll

August 10-11, 2007, Ames, Iowa
Contact: Eric Terrell, New York Foreign Press Center; Babs Chase, Washington Foreign Press Center
Telephone and Email: Eric Terrell, 212-317-8333, email: terrellew@state.gov; Babs Chase, 202-504-6321, chasebh@state.gov

Twenty-two journalists from ten countries traveled to Iowa to cover the Republican presidential candidates at the Ames, Iowa Straw Poll and state fair.  In addition to one-on-one access to the candidates, media had press availabilities with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Iowa Senator Charles Grassley, and the chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party, Scott Brennan.  Both the Straw Poll and the Iowa State Fair provided journalists with opportunities to interview citizens and voters about the 2008 presidential race.