The Republican campaign for the U.S. presidential elections has drawn its first blood. A mere 15 months ahead of the actual ballot, the party hopefuls descended upon Ames, Iowa, to participate in an unofficial straw poll that has no standing in the nomination process, which begins next February. Originally, the Ames vote was designed to raise money for the state Republican Party. It still does; this year, it will gross nearly $500,000. But the party's success only highlights the way money dominates the election process.

Only Iowa residents can participate in the straw poll. They pay $25 for the privilege of voting. That means that the poll is a test of a candidate's organization. Can it get the voters out? That, in turn, is another way of asking if a candidate has the financial wherewithal to pay the fee and other enticements (such as lunch) to lure supporters to Ames for a weekend.

Since deep pockets are the key to success, the Ames results should come as no surprise. Texas Gov. George Bush, the GOP front-runner who has raised a stunning $37 million thus far, came in first, with 31 percent of the vote. Mr. Steve Forbes, the independently wealthy publisher, came in second with 21 percent. By one estimate, the two men probably spent between $2 million and $3 million for their votes.