Right now, Republican presidential candidates are crisscrossing the state of Iowa, asking for the support of people like these.

Thousands of registered Republicans turned out for the Ames Straw Poll on Saturday, wearing t-shirts and pins bearing the names of White House hopefuls they support. A handful stopped to explain why they feel the way they do about these politicians.

Here are five sketches of Ames attendees, drawn from photographs taken on Saturday, along with their own words on why they've rallied behind a particular candidate:

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