Scenes from the state fair: Republicans in Iowa

Texas Rep. Ron Paul waits to be interviewed by Fox News Channel‘s Carl Cameron.   (Seema Mehta / Los Angeles Times)

The Iowa Pork Tent -- a regular stop for the Republican candidates at the Iowa State Fair.  (Robin Abcarian / Los Angeles Times)

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty chats with fairgoers after flipping pork at a booth.   (Seema Mehta / Los Angeles Times)

Sarah Palin is mobbed by reporters and supporters after arriving at the State Fair on her “One Nation” bus.   (Seema Mehta / Los Angeles Times)

Palin hugs a fairgoer as she makes the rounds of the State Fair Friday.  (Robin Abcarian / Los Angeles Times)

Palin inspects a bag handed to her by a supporter at the Iowa State Fair Friday.  (Robin Abcarian / Los Angeles Times)

Fairgoers put a kernel of corn in the jar of the presidential candidate they support.  (Seema Mehta / Los Angeles Times)

A cloudless sky greeted fairgoers Friday, one day before the key Straw Poll vote in Ames.  (James Oliphant / Los Angeles Times)

Michele Bachmann takes her turn at the soabpox Friday afternoon.  (Seema Mehta / Los Angeles Times)

And there it is -- the world famous Butter Cow.  (Seema Mehta / Los Angeles Times)