Writes Howard Fineman:

With the announcement of the Ames Straw Poll results, I drew the following conclusions:

Bye-bye T-Paw

Perry as a last-minute write-in bests a weak Mitt

Combination of Bachmann and Paul strength will generate more questions about the wisdom of doing a straw poll at all

Newt, with 385 votes, needs to drop outSantorum is in danger with a fourth place finish in a state where evangelicals matter so much

Romney supporters argue that this will help Mitt by pitting Perry against Bachmann for the evangelical/Tea Party vote

Ron Paul is about to become a MAJOR headache for the GOP

Right you are about that last one, Howard. The militarist-bankster alliance can't stand the light of day, and Ron Paul is opening all the windows.