Giuliani to Iowa: See You Later

Other Republicans pulling out of summer pre-Caucus

(NEWSER) - Mitt Romney could have a distinct advantage in August's straw poll in Iowa: He could be only one showing up. ABC reports that with GOP frontrunners Giuliani and McCain passing on the Ames poll, the rest of the field may choose to conserve energy and funds, too. Even the media may pull out—but Romney is hanging in. More»

Mormon leads Pubs in Midwest

(NEWSER) - Mitt Romney has won the Iowa straw poll, widely regarded as a colander for presidential hopefuls, the Washington Post reports. Romney beat out a field of conservatives in the non-binding vote in Ames, but left-lilting frontrunner Rudy Giuliani had already bowed out of the race. More»

Backchannel back-stabbing on rise ahead of Iowa poll

(NEWSER) - With second-tier candidates sensing that Saturday's straw poll may be their last, best chance to stay in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, Iowa is abuzz with whispering campaigns, Slate's John Dickerson says. The homegrown negative ads are a major tool for cash-poor politicians with names like Tancredo, Brownback and Huckabee. More»

GOP turns to popular VP candidate to help Chambliss, stave off Dem supermajority

(NEWSER) - Sarah Palin will lend her star power to Saxby Chambliss in his Senate runoff battle against Democrat Jim Martin, Politico reports. Palin will appear with Chambliss at rallies across Georgia the day before the Dec. 2 runoff, capping a GOP full-court press that has seen Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and John McCain drop by to try to keep Chambliss’ seat in Republican hands. More»

Many pundits ruled out Obama victory early

(NEWSER) - With the election over, what's more fun than calling out all those whose predictions were off—way off. Der Spiegel lists some highlights:

• "He cannot win, Bill. He cannot win." Hillary Clinton, on Barack Obama
• "We'll win Florida." Rudy Giuliani
• "Virginians are really getting fired up for this ticket of McCain and Palin." George Allen
• "Romney for the Republicans, Hillary for the Democrats." Ann Coulter, on the nominees