A tent city is under construction around Hilton Colesium in Ames. Hugetents are being hoisted as the sites are marked for the spectacle of theIowa Republican Party’s Straw Poll on Saturday. Ann Dougherty, aspokeswoman for the Iowa G.O.P., spoke with Radio Iowa by cellphone frominside Hilton.A whole line-up of musicians will play at the various parties put on by theRepublican presidential candidates. Tracy Bird, Linda Davis, Crystal Gale,Ronnie Milsap, Debbie Boone, Vic Damone, Roger Williams and perhaps even theOsmond Brothers are scheduled to perform. Presidential candidates are competing for more than just votes at tomorrow’sstraw poll in Ames. They’re also fighting for protection. Security requestsare swamping the Ames Police Department, the Story County Sheriff and theIowa State University Department of Public Safety.Story County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Gary Foster says unlike other recent bigevents in Ames, his staff wasn’t given enough prep time by the candidates.Foster says some candidates are reportedly paying up to 50-dollars an hourfor security.
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