Ron Paul, Michele Bachmann | featured news

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich, who led Iowa and national polls in November, said Monday he did not expect to win Tuesday's Iowa caucuses, but will declare victory because he has survived an onslaught of negative advertising.

Sensing an opening, Romney is stepping up his Iowa campaign and talking about winning the state after months of taking a more low-key approach. He probably will return to Iowa in November and hold a conference call with thousands of Iowa GOP caucus-goers.

The Republican contenders for the presidential nomination aimed their fire Thursday night at front-runner Rick Perry while several second-tier candidates tried to gain traction in the GOP field as they faced off at a debate in Orlando, Fla.

Ron Paul won the straw poll here overwhelmingly with 612 votes, drawing big boos and some quieter chants of "Ron Paul." Jon Huntsman finished a surprising second with 382 votes, despite being a late scratch because of a "bad cold." Michele Bachmann was third with 191 votes.

Day two of 38th annual Conservative Political Action is underway. The scheduled lineup of speakers includes: Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a potential presidential candidate, speaks at 10 am EST. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., at 12:20 pm EST. Former U.S. attorney general John Ashcroft, 1:15 p.m. EST.