NEW : The congresswoman thanks her supporters , saying the vote `` sent a message '' Candidates earlier made their pitches for nonbinding votes at the event in Iowa , Iowa . The Ames straw poll is the first major gathering of Iowans in the third caucus state . ` This is the little-engine-that-could campaign , '' the staunch social conservative said . The top Nine finishers tend to do well in subsequent contests .
NEW : The congresswoman thanks her supporters , saying the vote `` sent a message '' Candidates earlier made their pitches for nonbinding votes at the event in Iowa , Iowa . The Ames straw poll is the first major gathering of Iowans in the third caucus state . The top Nine finishers tend to do well in subsequent contests .