UPDATE: Romney wins Ames Straw Poll; Huckabee second.

Here are the numbers, courtesy of Real Clear Politics:

Mitt Romney — 4516 (31.5%)
Mike Huckabee — 2587 (18.1%)
Sam Brownback — 2192 (15.3%)
Tom Tancredo — 1961 (13.7%)
Ron Paul — 1305 (9.1%)
Tommy Thompson — 1039 (7.3%)
Fred Thompson — 203 (1.4%)
Rudy Giuliani — 183 (1.3%)
Duncan Hunter — 174 (1.2%)
John McCain — 101 (1%)
John Cox — 41 (0.1%)

14,302 total ballots cast.

Check out Reid Wilson’s coverage of the Straw Poll over at Real Clear Politics.

…

Patrick Ruffini makes an excellent point about how the WH08 candidtes missed a wonderful opportunity to incorporate a SMS (test message) strategy.

Is it just me, or isn’t this the perfect place to roll out an SMS program? An intrepid candidate could stand at the podium, and say, “And to join my campaign, please text AMES to MITT08 (PAUL08, HUCK08, BRNBK, etc. etc.) [here, he holds up his cell phone]. Then please join us by our tent, show us the confirmation message on your phone, to receive your special Ames collectible ______.”

An excellent observation, Patrick.

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