Today is what is considered by many to be the most important straw poll of the presidential election, the Ames, Iowa straw poll, happening today. This should weed out some of the second tier candidates, because if they have a good showing today the likelihood of having the funding to continue the race is slim. With McCain and Giuliani not participating, it is widely speculated that Romney will emerge the winner. What is really important is who places second and that is probably what will make or break Huckabee, Brownback, and Tommy Thompson. It will also be interesting to see how many write ins both Fred Thompson and Newt Gingrich receive.