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Posted: June 15, 2007 12:08 PM
Brownback Commits to Iowa Straw Poll
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Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., began his week by announcing that he would compete in the Ames, Iowa, straw poll on Aug. 11. Brownback said he was looking forward “to going head-to-head against former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney,” since Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani have opted out.

The Brownback campaign also launched a Web site devoted to rounding up supporters for the straw poll. On the site, “Team Brownback” is looking for “Bus Captains” to sponsor and fill buses with supporters to bring to Ames. Members plan to find each other by wearing Brownback bracelets, available in two styles: red, white and blue … and brown.

Leading up to the straw poll, Brownback plans to visit 27 Iowa towns. According to the Des Moines Register, 20 of the towns on the “Parker to Ames, Farmer to President” bus tour will have populations of 15,000 or less.

Before that four-day trip, however, Brownback continued to criticize Romney for his abortion stance. “In the past,” Brownback said of Romney, “he has said unequivocally he’s pro-choice. He’s saying now he’s pro-life. … That seems to me to be an inconsistency where you’ve been in one position in the past and you’re different now.”

At a June 15 National Right to Life Convention presidential forum in Kansas City, Mo., attended by Brownback, Romney and former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel, the Kansas City Star reported that “the most enthusiastic applause was reserved for another presidential contender, U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, who received a standing ovation during his introduction.”

Also on June 15, the San Diego Union Tribune reported that Brownback would have been a farmer if not a politician. Asked what he would want on a deserted island, Brownback answered “a tarp.”