let's bring in erin mcpike whole a reporter for real clear politics who have been tweeting a lot of interestingerin, it's good to see you. i can't really sort of overstate how wild this process is. i mean, it's not like any kind of voting process that most people in america can really relate to. you've been tweeting about things like the lines in michele bachmann's tent. explain to us what you've been doing today and sort of what the people who are voting have been doing today. >> okay, so there are about 15,000 people here in iowa in ames for this straw poll. these eiowans have come from al over the state to decide who their candidate is. they're voting all day long. there are two location where's they can go and cast their vote for the six, seven, or eight candidates who are on the straw poll in here competing. the candidates appeared on stage just a few -- about an hour ago or so. i've been going around outside to all of their tents and seeing the crowds. bachmann by far has the largest crowd here. tim pawlenty was on stage earlier talking to his supporters, trying to fire them up. he's done