Big day for GOP Presidential politics

Today is the biggest day of the primary campaign thus far. Republicans are gathering in Ames to vote in the Ames straw poll. It's an odd event where an Iowan either buys a ticket for Ames, or as is more likely that ticket is bought by the campaign and passed out to supporters. Despite the odd set up of the event the winner will be determined by a few thousand votes which technically means that a campaign that can organize Iowans, bus them to Ames can show a strong performance. It helps that half of the political press is in Iowa to cover the straw poll. But, at the end today will probably mark the end of the Gingrich and Santorum campaigns. If Tim Pawlenty doesn't take first place today, it could also mean the end of his campaign for president. Nate Silver provides the lay of the land on the straw poll. Poll results will be available sometime after 6:00 PM.

The other big news of the day is that Rick Perry is scheduled to announce his presidential ambitions in South Carolina today. Perry is scheduled to speak at 1:00 PM.