Those efforts paid dividends this year, with Paul coming in second at the recent Ames Straw Poll just behind Michele Bachmann, who invested in shrewdly integrating digital boots on the ground to her overall, successful push in Iowa.

FORBES: A Plea To The GOP: Don't Pull A Digital Nixon

But with less than two months until the Ames, Iowa Straw Poll, I wait with baited breath.

FORBES: Michele Bachmann Enters Presidential Race...Where's Palin?

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann won the Iowa straw poll in Ames, followed by libertarian Congressman Ron Paul.

CNN: Picking Bachmann or Perry is risky for GOP

He showed off his skills playing rock-and-roll bass and surprised observers with a second-place finish in the GOP straw poll in Ames, Iowa, the following August.

CNN: Huckabee bows to 'inevitable,' ends GOP run

Eight of the 10 Republicans running for the White House were scheduled to be in Iowa Wednesday as they scurried for last-minute votes in Saturday's GOP straw poll in Ames.

CNN: Republican rivals focus on farm crisis

The Iowa Republican Party, which is hosting its straw poll in the city of Ames this weekend, is waiting to see what New Hampshire decides before announcing a date for its caucuses.

CNN: South Carolina GOP moves up primary, adds to 2008 scramble