POLL: The Re-Shaping of the GOP Primary

This weekend has proved nothing if not eventful for Republican presidential contenders. Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann received the needed strong-showing in the Iowa Straw Poll on Saturday with 29 percent of the vote. While the win is a significant boost for Bachmann, it's also important to note that less than 20,000 people voted in the poll, many of whom paid $30 for the privilege of doing so.

But it's important enough that a poor showing by former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty caused him to withdraw from the race. He finished a distant third with 14 percent of the votes behind Texas Congressman Ron Paul who garnered 28 percent.

The straw poll may not have even been the biggest story of the weekend as, after much chatter, Governor Rick Perry threw his Texas-sized hat into the presidential ring. Perry has serious financial backing and is expected to compete with Bachmann for the votes of the more conservative wing of the GOP.

This week Michele Bachmann will visit the Upstate (on Tuesday) and other candidates are paying a visit to Congressman Tim Scott T later this month.

And during Labor Day weekend Senator Jim DeMint will be hosting a forum for candidates.

What do you think? Has this weekend changed your opinion on the primary? Vote in our poll and tell us in our comments section.