How else could you explain Michele Bachmann actually being taken seriously as a presidential candidate?  She came out on top, so to speak, of the Ames Straw Poll. Interesting, too, that the "front-runner" Mitt Willard Romney had such a poor showing.  OK, I know he didn't actually participate - but neither did Sarah Palin, and she's not even a declared candidate, and she fared better than he did! In case you're wondering the exact breakdown (courtesy of MSNBC)... 2011 Straw Poll Full Results (Votes, %) 1. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (4823, 28.55%) 2. Congressman Ron Paul (4671, 27.65%) 3. Governor Tim [...]