2012 GOP race jolted with straw poll, Perry entry

AMES, Iowa (AP) — The 2012 Republican presidential race lurched into a new phase today as Iowans weighed in for the first time on their expanding field of presidential hopefuls, picking Michele Bachmann as their top choice for the GOP nomination. Halfway across the country latecomer Texas Gov. Rick Perry formally entered the race, declaring: “America is not broken. Washington, D.C. is broken.”

Together, the events were certain to reshuffle the race to face President Barack Obama. Exactly how was anybody’s guess, as the candidates sought an early validation that they have widespread appeal, with those further behind in the pack hoping to gain momentum and avoid increased questions over their viability as candidates.

A slew of Republicans are seeking the chance to challenge Obama next fall for the leadership of a country facing a recent downgrade in its credit rating, high unemployment and Wall Street tumult. And, from Iowa to South Carolina on Saturday, several of those candidates used their perches before GOP activists in two critical early voting states to castigate the Democratic incumbent and offer themselves as the answer to an ailing America.

Nearly 17,000 Iowans weighed in on the contest, giving Bachmann bragging rights as the Iowa Straw Poll victor — and, perhaps, a burst of momentum — with 28 percent of the votes cast. Texas Rep. Ron Paul came in a close second, while former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who was looking for a strong showing to boost his struggling candidacy, fared a distant third.