I’m glad you said that...actually Branstad said it’s a scam almost...and it is...to raise funds for the Iowa GOP. To vote in the poll, you have to pay like 50 dollars per person. Thus, it costs the campaigns a zillion dollars to get voters there.
They’ve made some changes to try to make it less like a zoo.
Random assignment of candidates’ space, tickets $25/30 include parking, standard food concessions instead of candidates being expected to give out free food, etc. Atleast everyone seems a little more sober about its limited meaning.