Ames Straw Poll?

Ok, so he spent that money. Yet, isn't that the purpose of the money which is to be used to help his campaign which he was doing by buying dinner tickets so people could vote? Also, how much did the other candidates spend on campaigning and dinner tickets? As far as him coming in fifth place that is much better than what the mainstream media is leading us on to believe he would get. They were continually calling him a long shot and someone that only had 2%. It also shows that his supporters are not spammers like they always said. So, even if Ron Paul won this straw poll it is way to early to tell what is going to happen between now and the primary and general election. I am actually impressed that he got that much and maybe now the media will take Ron paul more seriously.