Comment: Wrong Question

The real question that matters:

"Would Eliminating the Iowa Straw Poll Hurt Voters?"

Or are voters too stupid to handle a straw poll result?

We know who has a big advantage when it comes to most media coverage among candidates, and we know who is at a disadvantage. Straw polls are a publicity and fund-raising events to benefit organizations, but they are also useful ways to earn some news coverage by otherwise ignored candidates, assuming they have the support of voters to pull it off.

Of course, there's no guarantee the media won't skip or downplay the results, or hype them, depending on their bias. But the point is still one of free speech, assembly, and the rights of the individuals who attend or are doing their due dilligence before voting.