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GOP Straw Poll Finishes Tommy Thompson

Former Wisconsin governor drops out after 6th-place showing

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 13, 2007 12:50 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Longshot presidential candidate Tommy Thompson announced yesterday he's dropping out of the race after finishing sixth in Iowa's Republican straw poll. The former Wisconsin governor set a goal for himself of coming in first or second, but he couldn't even beat Libertarian loose cannon Ron Paul. "There's no sense in looking back," he said.

"I felt my record as governor of Wisconsin and secretary of Health and Human Services gave me the experience I needed to serve as president, but I respect the decision of the voters." He tallied 1,039 votes, less than a quarter of Mitt Romney's winning total. Thompson plans to return to the private sector.

Carol Markos, of Madison, Wis., cheers as Republican presidential hopeful former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson speaks at the Iowa Straw Poll in Ames, Iowa, Saturday, Aug 11, 2007. (AP Photo/David Lienemann)
Carol Markos, of Madison, Wis., cheers as Republican presidential hopeful former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson speaks at the Iowa Straw Poll in Ames, Iowa, Saturday, Aug 11, 2007. (AP Photo/David Lienemann)   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson speaks at the Iowa Straw Poll in Ames, Iowa, Saturday, Aug 11, 2007. (AP Photo/David Lienemann)
Republican presidential hopeful former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson speaks at the Iowa Straw Poll in Ames, Iowa, Saturday, Aug 11, 2007. (AP Photo/David Lienemann)   (Associated Press)
A Tommy Thompson for president supporter wears a sticker on his back during the Iowa Straw Poll, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
A Tommy Thompson for president supporter wears a sticker on his back during the Iowa Straw Poll, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson walks off stage with his six-month-old granddaughter Eily Duffy after speaking at the Iowa Straw Poll, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Republican presidential hopeful former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson walks off stage with his six-month-old granddaughter Eily Duffy after speaking at the Iowa Straw Poll, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, in...   (Associated Press)
Republican Presidential hopeful, former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson wipes sweat from his face as he speaks to fairgoers, Friday, Aug. 10, 2007, at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Republican Presidential hopeful, former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson wipes sweat from his face as he speaks to fairgoers, Friday, Aug. 10, 2007, at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie...   (Associated Press)
Republican Presidential hopeful, former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson speaks to fairgoers, Friday, Aug. 10, 2007, at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Republican Presidential hopeful, former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson speaks to fairgoers, Friday, Aug. 10, 2007, at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful and former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson speaks in Bedford, N.H. Tuesday May 8, 2007. Thompson is dropping out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination, a campaign official said Sunday Aug. 12, 2007. (AP File Photo/Cheryl Senter)
Republican presidential hopeful and former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson speaks in Bedford, N.H. Tuesday May 8, 2007. Thompson is dropping out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination, a...   (Associated Press)
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Full results of the straw poll
CNN

What do the results mean?
Chicago Tribune

What the heck is the Iowa straw poll, anyway?
ABC News

 
Iowa • Republican • Tommy Thompson • presidential campaign • straw poll • Election 2008

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