Watch Bill Schneider's report on the expectations game in Iowa.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Remember the "Dean scream?" Bil Schneider takes a look at who Iowa may undo in the 2008 presidential race.

Related: Michelle Obama: 'If Barack doesn't win Iowa, it's just a dream'

Huckabee, second from left, plays with his band, Capital Offense as an Elvis impersonator from Duncan Hunter's campaign helps out with a rendition of Johnny-Be-Good Saturday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — In the battle for the republican nomination — Mitt Romney did what he was expected to do — -win this weekend's straw poll in Ames, Iowa. But the guy who came in second could be the real success story. And that guy is Mike Huckabee.

The former Arkansas governor is not a household name. He even admits it. "I know I'm relatively unknown to the national scene,” says Huckabee.

Huckabee’s also not your typical politician. He’s an ordained Baptist minister who plays guitar in a rock and roll band. He performed for his supporters Saturday at Ames. And now, thanks to a strong second place finish at the Iowa Republican presidential straw poll — he's getting some attention.

Huckabee opposes abortion rights — and he's against legalizing gay marriage. That could play well with social conservatives who may have problems with Republican candidates much higher up in the polls. "When people say we're just dissatisfied with the field that may be the top of the field but now they're beginning to realize there's another candidate out there and they don't have to keep waiting on Fred Thompson to get in the race,” says Huckabee.

“It was a big win for Huckabee in Iowa, because his polling numbers have consistently been in the low single digits in most national and state surveys,” says CNN Political Editor Mark Preston. “To prove that Saturday's strong showing wasn't a fluke, Huckabee must now show he can raise the millions of dollars needed to be a top flight candidate."

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Watch Thompson explain why he is dropping his White House bid.

DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) — Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson abandoned his long shot bid for the White House late Sunday evening, after he did not meet the expectations he set for himself in the Iowa Republican Party straw poll held one day before.

"I want to thank the people of Iowa who were welcoming and supportive as well as my volunteers and contributors from around the country," Thompson said in a statement released by his presidential campaign. "I have no regrets about running. I felt my record as Governor of Wisconsin and Secretary of Health and Human Services gave me the experience I needed to serve as President, but I respect the decision of the voters."

Thompson, who served in President Bush's cabinet in the first term, came in sixth out of 11 candidates listed on the ballot of the state GOP sanctioned straw poll held in Ames. (See full results below) Since entering the race, Thompson focused a large part of his message on reforming the nation's healthcare system. But his campaign never caught fire.

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DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN)– The Ames straw poll is over. The candidates are leaving town, some with ribbons of victory and others with tough decisions to make about whether to continue their presidential campaigns.

We’re about to depart Iowa, but before we do we thought we’d take a look at which candidates may not be candidates much longer.

The straw poll in Ames serves a very important purpose. It traditionally helps narrow the field of GOP presidential hopefuls and yesterday’s contest is expected to be no exception.

So, here are some observations of what could happen.

Perhaps the candidate most wounded by last night’s vote is former Wisconsin Gov. and Bush cabinet secretary Tommy Thompson. He did not meet the expectations that he set for himself leading up to the poll. Thompson made it clear that Iowa was the key to his campaign. He came in sixth in the straw poll with only 7.3 percent of the vote. No word yet on whether he’ll abandon his quest for the White House.

While Sen. Sam Brownback finished in the top three, he was greatly overshadowed by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s surprise second place finish. The Kansas Republican spent a great deal of money on the straw poll and will likely consider leaving the campaign trail to return full time to the Senate.

Even though California Rep. Duncan Hunter finished behind two opponents who did not even participate in the straw poll, there is no chance he is leaving the race anytime soon.

"This is just a start for us, because this is the first real week we have done in Iowa," Hunter said in an interview with CNN prior to the results being reported. “We look at this as a good start."

As for the winners, Huckabee will use the victory to try and raise money for his reinvigorated campaign and the big winner, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, will seek to use the straw poll to continue to build his massive Iowa operation and as a springboard to greater national recognition.

– CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser and CNN Political Editor Mark Preston

MITT ROMNEY 4,516 VOTES 31.6%

MIKE HUCKABEE 2,587 VOTES 18.1%

SAM BROWNBACK 2,192 VOTES 15.3%

TOM TANCREDO 1,961 VOTES 13.7%

RON PAUL 1,305 VOTES 9.1%

TOMMY THOMPSON 1,039 VOTES 7.3%

FRED THOMPSON 203 VOTES 1.4%

RUDY GIULIANI 183 VOTES 1.3%

DUNCAN HUNTER 174 VOTES 1.2%

JOHN MCCAIN 101 VOTES .7%

JOHN COX 41 VOTES .3%

14,302 TOTAL BALLOTS CAST

AMES, Iowa (CNN)– Voting is underway in the first crucial Republican straw poll contest of the 2008 presidential campaign season. The first ballots were cast at 10am CT here on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames. Voting will last until 6pm local time and results will be announced one hour later.

Voters need to prove they are Iowa residents and need to pay a $35 entrance fee. Many of the campaigns are busing in their supporters and paying for their entrance fees. But the ballots are cast in secret so there is no guarantee on how people will vote, even if they are bused in and their entrance fees paid for by certain campaigns.

After they cast their ballots, voters need to dip their thumbs in indelible ink, similar to the kind used in the Iraqi national elections. This is supposed to prevent people from voting more than once.

Mitt Romney is expected to win today’s straw poll. The big question right now is by how much the former Massachusetts Governor will win. The top three GOP contenders in the national polls, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Senator from Tennessee Fred Thompson, who’s yet to announce he’s running for President, and Senator from Arizona John McCain, are not actively taking part in today’s straw poll.

The other big question today is which of the second tier candidates will come in second. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Senator from Kansas Sam Brownback, and former Wisconsin Governor and Bush Cabinet Secretary Tommy Thompson are all gunning hard for capturing second place. Congressmen Duncan Hunter and Ron Paul and Tom Tancredo are also here today and hoping for a strong finish.

There’s the possibility that some of these second and third tier candidates may drop out of the race for the White House if they don’t perform well in today’s straw poll.

– CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Tommy Thompson’s campaign manager says the former Wisconsin governor must finish first or second in this weekend’s Ames Straw Poll for him to remain in the presidential race.

Thompson’s national campaign manager Steve Grubbs sent an e-mail to supporters on Wednesday pleading with Iowans to attend the annual straw poll on Saturday and vote for Thompson.

According to the e-mail, Thompson will drop out of the race unless he comes close to winning.

“If you're a SOTT (Supporter of Tommy Thompson), then this is probably the most important e-mail you have ever received from his campaign,” Grubbs wrote. “Without your help and support this week, Tommy Thompson's campaign cannot go on. Tommy Thompson has made it clear that if he doesn't finish first or second this week in Ames, Iowa at the straw poll, he will not go on in this race.”

Thompson has struggled to gain traction since announcing his presidential exploratory committee last year. He is registering in low single digits according to recent polls.

– CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby

'The Daily Show's' Jon Stewart

NEW YORK (AP) — Four presidential candidates are lined up to visit Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show" over the next three weeks as Comedy Central's satirical news review ramps up its "Indecision 2008″ coverage.

Sen. Joseph Biden, the Delaware Democrat, is first up this Wednesday. Biden appeared on "The Daily Show" last winter on the day he announced his candidacy.

Republican John McCain makes his 10th appearance on August 16, followed by another Republican, former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, on August 20.

On August 22, Democratic contender Barack Obama comes back to the show for a second time, his first as a declared candidate.

"It's sort of an open invitation for candidates," said Michele Ganeless, Comedy Central's executive vice president and general manager. "Jon makes these guys feel comfortable. He provides them with an opportunity to reach an audience they don't always reach, which is young men."

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Thompson campaigned in Iowa on Saturday

HUMBOLDT, Iowa (CNN) — At a stop on his bus trip through Iowa Saturday, GOP presidential candidate Tommy Thompson fired away at Republican opponent Mitt Romney, who also recently began his own bus tour of the Hawkeye State, saying that Romney is mimicking his plans.

"I'm the one that started the bus tour, and Romney is copying me," Thompson said forcefully. "And what's the best sense of flattery? It's when they copy you… He's following me around the state because I think he's seeing the polls and seeing we're starting to grow, and that's going to be threatening to him."

Thompson is currently on his tour of the 99 counties of Iowa in an “Iowa-made” Winnebago. His comments came shortly after both GOP candidates were in the rural town of Algona, Iowa.

When asked if he was bothered by the fact that Romney may be pulling potential attendees away from Thompson's events, Thompson said 'absolutely not.'

"We've been on this tour now for two weeks and he is just starting yesterday," said Thompson. "He's going to the same place I am, hopefully to show that he's got support better than mine, but I think overall [my campaign is] doing very, very well."

Romney’s Iowa spokesperson Tim Albrecht declined to comment.

– CNN Iowa Producer Chris Welch

Thompson announced his second quarter fundraising results Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani weren't the only GOP candidates to release their second quarter fundraising totals Tuesday.

Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson’s campaign announced raising $473,126 in the last three months, an increase over the $315,000 he raised in the first quarter of 2007.

“We are certainly pleased at the strong growth in our fundraising," Thompson said in a statement. "We've kept our overhead low and maintained a disciplined budget. To date, we're able to run a campaign equal to that of the better funded candidates despite the differences in funding."

Thompson did not reveal how much cash he had available as June 30.

All presidential candidates must submit detailed fundraising and spending reports to the Federal Election Commission by July 15.

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson will participate in the Iowa Straw Poll in August, he told reporters in a conference call Wednesday.

Thompson acknowledged that he knew many reporters dialed into the call to find out if he was dropping out of the presidential race, after his campaign sent out a media advisory earlier in the day saying he would make a "major announcement about the future of [his] presidential campaign."

"I've done this, and not all of you have picked up on it," he said. "But I know most of you have signed in this afternoon to find out whether or not I was dropping out of the race."

Thompson criticized former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Sen. John McCain for planning to skip the straw poll, calling it a "tradition" in American politics. He said even though it is "an expensive exercise, even for campaigns with big war chests," it is important for candidates to compete in the event.

"I believe it is a mistake to skip the straw poll, and I would hope that Mayor Giuliani and Sen. McCain would reconsider their positions," Thompson said.

– CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich

Thompson will make a "major announcement" about his presidential campaign Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson is set to make a “major announcement” about the future of his campaign on a conference call Wednesday, according to his presidential campaign.

Rennick Remley, a Thompson spokesman, says presidential candidate and former Bush cabinet member will discuss whether he will participate in the Iowa Straw Poll in August. Thompson has concentrated most of his campaigning in Iowa.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Sen. John McCain have already said they will not participate in the straw poll.

– CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (CNN) — Tommy Thompson's getting energized.

The former Wisconsin governor and Bush cabinet secretary is talking to about five reporters right now. Thompson's quite animated as he talks about what he calls a drug problem with teens in America. Thompson was also energized as he discussed the immigration reform plan now in Congress.

Duncan Hunter's sounding off right now about the fate of the Republican Party. The longtime congressman from California wants to see the GOP return to its roots. And he's slamming Mitt Romney right now. He just told a scrum of reporters that Romney stood side-by-side with President Clinton when it came to gun control.

A similar attack on a frontrunner from another man back in the pack: Rep. Ron Paul just told journalists that Arizona Sen. John McCain can't be trusted. The congressman and Libertarian from Texas says that McCain is a maverick who bucked the party during the 2000 campaign.

All and all, it's a typical night in the spin room. The front-runners leave the spinning to their surrogates while the rest of the pack try to grab as much media attention as possible.

–CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (CNN) — Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, already in the race, said he'd welcome former senator and "Law & Order" star Fred Thompson, thinking about entering, into the race.

"It's (Thompson) a great name," Tommy Thompson said. He (Fred) is a great candidate and I think it will help the Republican party to have him in.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — "We didn't come up with new ideas," said former Gov. Tommy Thompson, when he was asked to name President Bush's biggest mistake over the past several years.

Thompson, who served as secretary of Health and Human Services during President Bush's first term, said, "We went to Washington to change Washington. Washington changed us."

He made his comments at CNN's Republican presidential debate in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Tuesday.

The former Wisconsin governor also criticized his party's spending habits saying, "If we're going to spend money foolishly, and as stupidly as the Democrats, the voters are going to vote for the professional spenders, the Democrats. Not the amateur spenders, the Republicans."

– CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Former Health and Human Services Sec. and Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson thanked a blogger for his online question on healthcare during the Townhall portion of CNN's Republican Presidential Debate on Tuesday.

"You know, I've been here for two debates," said Thompson, "we never had one question on healthcare. Thank that person for talking about healthcare."

The former HHS secretary and went on to outline a four-point plan for reforming the healthcare system.

– CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Former Gov. Tommy Thompson said jokingly said that if elected president, he would not send predecessor George W. Bush to the United Nations as an ambassador.

He made his comments at Tuesday's GOP presidential debate in Manchester, New Hampshire, co-sponsored by CNN.

Thompson went on to compliment President Bush's honesty and straightforwardness and said he would send Bush on a "lecture series talking to the youth of America about honesty, integrity, perseverance, passion and serving the public."

Thompson served as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services during Bush's first administration.

Supporters of President Bill Clinton suggested after he left office in 2001 after two terms that he might want to serve as U.N. Secretary-General. That speculation of course was tempered when President Bush was elected to the White House in 2000 and 2004.

– CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Analyst and Democratic strategist Paul Begala has planted the victory flag in former New York city Mayor Rudy Giuliani's camp.

While conceding that Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, knew the most about the issues, he also felt former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee's performance was the most surprising of the night.

Most disappointing? Begala thought former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson's debate performance left something to be desired.

Begala's favorite line? That came from Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colorado, who said, "I'd tell George W. Bush never to darken the door of the White House."

–CNN Contributor Cody Combs

WASHINGTON (CNN) — As President Bush's low popularity ratings looms over the Republican race, the White House hopefuls have said little been generally silent during the past few debates about their commander-in-chief. But Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo addressed what he thought Bush's role should be after he finishes his second term.

"Some time ago, 2003, I think it was, that I got a call from Karl Rove who told me that because of my criticism of the president, I should never darken the doorstep of the White House," he said.

He added, "As president, I would have to tell George Bush exactly the same thing that Karl Rove told me" because he was so disappointed in various aspects of the President's program, including education and the prescription drug bureaucracy, as well as immigration reform.

Former Bush Cabinet member and former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson said: "I would certainly not send him to the United Nations." He said the president's strengths of honesty and perseverance would be best used in touring America talking to the country's youth. "I think he could be a wonderful spokesperson" for the virtues of public service.

–CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich

WASHINGTON (CNN) — As President Bush's low popularity ratings looms over the Republican race, the White House hopefuls have said little during past debates about their commander in chief.

But Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo addressed what he thought Bush's role should be after he finishes his second term.

"Some time ago, 2003, I think it was, I got a call from Karl Rove who told me that because of my criticism of the president, I should never darken the doorstep of the White House," he said.

He added, "As president, I would have to tell George Bush exactly the same thing that Karl Rove told me" because he was so disappointed in various aspects of the President's program, including education and the prescription drug bureaucracy, as well as immigration reform.

Former Bush cabinet member Tommy Thompson said: "I would certainly not send him to the United Nations."

Thompson said the President's strengths of honesty and perseverance would be best used in touring America talking to the country's youth.

"I think he could be a wonderful spokesperson" for the virtues of public service, he said.

–CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich