We had an event with representatives from the campaigns Sunday and one asked how many there had not made up their minds and most hands went up.
I'm extremely plugged in politically and so far there is little firm support for anyone. That doesn't necessarily mean we're dissatisfied with the field but that we're just waiting to see what happens before we make up our minds.
The reason Rudy and McCain are skipping out is because they are trailing to Romney in Iowa.
Conventional thinking is there are 3 winning tickets out of Iowa, and it’s 2 strikes and they’re out. So by skipping the Straw Polls they are attempting to lower the expectations for the Caucuses.
In addition, Both Rudy and McCain Camps were well aware of the all out effort by the Romney folks. I’m thinking there’s a lot of “,,,let’s sit back and watch him spend his money while we keep ours in the bank” thinking going on here. Romney has raised a lot more money than Rudy and McCain, so anything they can do to equalize the bank accounts will help to level the playing field, IMO.
That said, it’s important to remember the Iowa Polls are showing totally different results than the Nat’l Polls in both major parties. Romney is pulling away from McCain and Rudy is in third. Edwards is ahead of Obama and Hillary is trailing.
If you can maintain your objectivity, it is absolutely facinating to watch.