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Cruz and Perry Noncommittal as Straw Poll Talk Heats Up[/h]
DES MOINES, Iowa — Put them down as maybes.
As Hawkeye State Republicans scramble to keep the Iowa Straw Poll relevant, the two White House hopefuls from Texas are keeping their options open — at least publicly.
The straw poll is three months away, but it was front and center Saturday evening at the Iowa GOP's Lincoln Dinner, where party leaders stressed how vital it is to the state's outsize influence in the nominating process. And the straw poll buzz continued into the week as Iowa GOP officials beat back claims the county fair-like event is fading into history.
Asked Monday whether he plans to participate in the poll, former Gov.
Rick Perry reminded reporters he is not yet an official candidate. He is expected to launch his second bid for the White House on June 4 in Dallas.
"There’s plenty of time after that to make a decision about the straw poll," Perry said after a stop in northwest Iowa, where he also reflected on his shotgun entrance into the 2012 race, when he skipped the event to declare his candidacy the same day in South Carolina. Among the lessons he learned then about campaigning in Iowa: "Show up before the straw poll."
Last month, when asked by
The New York Times whether he would participate in the poll, Cruz said yes. On Tuesday, though, he declined to say whether he would compete.
“A number of candidates and a number of campaigns are making decisions on the straw poll right now and we’re certainly making those decisions at the same time," Cruz told reporters in Beaumont.
