It's still unclear which candidates will choose to compete in the straw poll and mount actual efforts to attract Iowans.
His speech to the RedState Gathering on Saturday was a blistering indictment of Obama's policies, and it upstaged the GOP candidates competing in the Ames straw poll.
* Mr. Romney decided not to compete in the Ames straw poll, but he will be attending Thursday's debate.
Mitt Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, said he would not compete in the Iowa Straw Poll, a traditional test of strength, which he won four years ago.
Romney did not compete in the 2011 straw poll, choosing to project himself as a national candidate who didn't need to define himself among the Iowa GOP's rank and file.
The new Tim Pawlenty has his sights set on placing "sixth or seventh" in the Republican straw poll in Ames, Iowa, on Aug. 13, even though barely that many candidates are competing in the early contest.
The Romney campaign has repeatedly stated that it is not competing in any straw polls, and that it places little importance on the results, but Mr. Romney made a point working the room and shaking hands at dinner before taking his seat - a contrast to Mr. Perry, who left quickly through the kitchen after he finished his remarks at lunchtime.
Mitt Romney, the frontrunner, has decided he won't compete in the state's straw poll in Ames this month – an event he spent $1m to win four years ago.
Mitt Romney met and perhaps exceeded expectations, especially since he did not even compete in the August Iowa straw poll but won the caucuses – albeit by a mere eight votes.
