Hay, Suck it up

I'm not as upset as many others that Giuliani and McCain have decided not to participate in the Iowa Republican Straw Poll.

It's just a higher class version of the Iowa State Fair and the scientific community is united in that fact.

My friend Cal and I drove to the last one (in Ames August of 1999) and we had a good time.

Lots of food and some celebrities (Reggie White and Ronnie Millsap spring to mind), but it took a long time to get in and vote.

Because it's August (nothing going on nationally) and Iowa (first caucus state) is the only reason it gets attention, it's just really a big fund raiser for the party.

The campaigns buy tickets and give them to supporters to show up and vote, in a general election that could be considered a bribe.

Interestingly enough, on the day he drops out, I received two recorded calls from John McCain in the span of a half hour.

WHY?

Turkey in the straw
Turkey in the straw
Roll 'em up and twist 'em up
A high tuck a-haw
And hit 'em up a tune called
Turkey in the Straw