Michele Bachmann wins Republican Iowa straw poll, narrowly edged out Ron Paul

Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann Wins

the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa

Image credit: Getty Images

Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann won the Ames Straw Poll Saturday in the first big test of the 2012 Republican presidential campaign as reported by various international news sites, August 14, 2011.

As reported, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann narrowly edged out Ron Paul and besting the other Republican candidates in a nonbinding but politically significant vote in the first caucus state of Iowa.

"This is the first step toward taking the White House in 2012," Bachmann reportedly told the crowd. "And you have sent a message that Barack Obama will be a one-term president. This is a wonderful down payment on taking the country back -- and it started in Iowa."

As noted, Bachmann garnered 4,823 votes edging out Texas Rep. Ron Paul who had 4,671 votes while in distant third was Gov. Tim Pawlenty with 2,293.

Apparently, Bachmann's win boosts her recent momentum while Ron Paul's campaign chairman Jesse Benton said that the outcome of the votes clearly states that the congressman is "a top-tier candidate" and indicates that "our message is spreading, our support is surging, and people are taking notice."

It was revealed that Pawlenty, who has invested a lot of money, still trailed in recent polls and thereby issued a statement saying, "We made progress in moving from the back of the pack into a competitive position. ... We are just beginning, and I'm looking forward to a great campaign."