At a southeast Ames coffee shop Friday morning, U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter mingled with guests, telling stories of life on the campaign trail and why he is the best candidate to be president of the United States in 2008.

The gathering space was filled with a few undecided voters and a mob of Hunter supporters.

It was the sort of scene that replicated itself at restaurants, cafés and candidate headquarters in Mid-Iowa throughout the day Friday as Republican senators, congressmen and former governors sought to generate excitement and the last few votes that could lead them to a better than expected finish in today's straw poll.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback met with supporters at their Ames headquarters. U.S. Congressman Ron Paul joined a Campustown concert in his honor dubbed "Ronstock." And former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson met with motorcyclists and other supporters at a restaurant in downtown Ames.

After ordering his coffee, Hunter stood in front of the crowd and started in on his campaign message.

Seated at a front table were Ed and LuAnn Roczey, Hunter's neighbors from Alpine, Calif.

On LuAnn Roczey's lap sat a large, folded-up banner that read "Duncan Hunter for President." It's a sign, her husband says, that can catch your eye from a mile away.

It's similar to the sign the couple first held along the side of a highway in Brainerd, Minn., while visiting their daughter. The response was so positive, the Roczeys said, they decided to take it further on the road. First it was to the Kentucky Derby. Then the Indianapolis 500. And then the Republican debates in South Carolina, New Hampshire and Iowa.

"We were in love with him before we started and even more so now," LuAnn Roczey said. "He is the most genuine person I've ever known, and I've known a lot of special people in my life."

Later in the day, nearly 300 people gathered at the Romney headquarters for a rally in support of the former governor from Massachusetts. Romney was joined onstage by more than a dozen family members including his wife, Ann, their five sons, their wives and their children.

"This is going to be the biggest family reunion we've ever seen," said Ann Romney. "We have both Mitt's side and my side here for the weekend."

Mitt Romney spoke about his time at the Iowa State Fair, highlighting his run-in with the unofficial presidential ballot of corn kernels placed in Mason jars by fairgoers.

"I was a little dismayed when I saw Barack Obama's; he had a lot of corn," Romney said. "But I was number one."

Two blocks down the road, Main Street was peppered with motorcycles gathered for a rally and concert in support of Tommy Thompson.

One of those supporters, Joe "Stormin'" Norman, left Staten Island, New York Tuesday on his motorcycle to make it to Ames in time for Friday night's rally.

"Tommy is always there for the American people and for the bikers, big time, so we all band together for Tommy," Norman said.

Norman, Thompson and 100 other motorcyclists plan to make a grand entrance into the straw poll this morning about 10:30 a.m.

In Campustown, a party-like atmosphere complete with plastic straw umbrellas, live on-the-street "Ron Paul Radio" interviews and a red, white and blue painted RV with a live monkey inside took over a small section of the sidewalk outside of Bali Satay House for a concert party in support of Congressman Paul.

Although only Iowa residents can vote in the Ames Straw Poll, many of Paul's supporters in attendance came from all around the country.

Kyle Varner and Jesda Gulati said they drove 27 hours this week to get to Ames from Spokane, Wash.

"Right now, the mainstream media and a lot of people believe that we are just a bunch of Internet spammers," Verner said. "I think by being here, people will see that we are really a lot of very passionate people who believe in Ron Paul's message."

Verner, who currently lives in Spokane, Wash., said he drafted 100 handwritten letters and made 100 phone calls to residents of Des Moines in support of Paul leading up to the straw poll. It was part of an effort that delivered nearly 98,000 letters to central Iowa, he said.

"I am right between my undergraduate and my medical school, so I have nothing to do this summer," he said. "I decided to work to make America free again."

At 8:30 p.m., Brownback, the last candidate to make a public appearance in Ames Friday night, arrived at his campaign headquarters on Main Street. He was met by nearly 100 campaign staffers and supporters.

Brownback described himself as the dark horse that will surprise everyone in the 2007 straw poll.

"I think we are going to do well in Ames," he said. "I think we are going to win in Ames."

William Dillon can be reached at 232-2161, Ext. 361, or William.Dillon@amestrib.com.