Thousands packed into the Hilton Coliseum at Iowa State University in Ames to cheer on their favorite of the eight republican candidates that made an appearance at the Iowa Straw Poll.

With 14,301 other Iowans, I cast my vote for which Republican candidate I think should run for president at the Iowa Straw Poll.

It was a day I was proud to be an Iowan. (And let me tell you, from a Minnesota-born-and-raised girl, that's saying something.)

It was a day when the nation, and even to some extent the world, was watching what Iowans had to say.

On Saturday, Iowans with Iowan concerns and Iowan values got to be the first voice in supporting or weeding out Republican candidates for the 2008 election. And whether you think Iowan concerns and values are on track or not, you've got to admit that's a pretty important role for a state in the Midwest that ranks 30th in a list of most populated states, according to the online resource Wikipedia.

Now there's been talk about moving the caucus up in Iowa to keep it first in the nation if other states move their primaries or caucuses earlier in the year.

Is this a good move? Or is the presidential race just getting too long?