CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Every four years, Republican activists in Iowa go window-shopping, gathering at the state GOP convention to sample the presidential hopefuls on display. They get to meet presidential wanna-bes, probably at candidate- sponsored receptions, and listen to 11-minute addresses delivered to the 2,000 or so party faithful.
State Republican chairman Steve Grubbs suggested that the main goals for the politicians are to establish themselves as players and to recruit 50-100 volunteers for the nucleus of a campaign organization for Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses.
In contrast to the convention in Des Moines four years ago, no straw poll was conducted at this year's event, held in Cedar Rapids last weekend. But there was plenty of competition for the biggest--and loudest--crowd of boosters. Tennessee's former Gov. Lamar Alexander had the biggest turnout, a reflection of the solid base he built in his 1996 bid for the nomination. Much smaller but still sizable contingents were on hand for Sen. John D. Ashcroft of Missouri, Family Research Council director Gary L. Bauer, publishing heir Steve Forbes, Rep. John R. Kasich of Ohio
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