George W. Bush cemented his status as the front-runner in the Republicanpresidential race with his 31 percent, first-place showing in thisSaturday’s Iowa Republican Party Straw Poll. Bush said the victory puts him well on the road to winning the Republicanparty’s presidential nomination. During an appearance on I-P-T-V, DrakeUniversity political science professor Hugh Weinbrenner said Bush metexpectations, and perhaps exceeded them.Weinbrenner says now that Bush has shown “front-runner” prowess, Bush entersa new phase of the campaign.Second-place finisher Steve Forbes characterized himself as an outsiderwho’s positioned to challenge Bush for the nomination. Elizabeth Doledeclared her third place finish a victory, of sorts as she wasn’t thecandidate with the most money and still was able to compete.Conservative activist Gary Bauer finished fourth, at the top of the pack ofcandidates making a direct appeal to Christian Conservatives.
