AMES, Iowa (AP) - It was a Republican straw poll Saturday, but that didn't deter Democrat Joe Shannahan.

"It's a beautiful day to watch conservative Republicans," said Shannahan, a former spokesman for the Iowa Democratic Party and a supporter of Vice President Al Gore.

Shannahan said he planned to vote for the Republican candidate who would do the most damage to GOP front-runner George W. Bush, but that he didn't bring a large group with him.

"We didn't try to orchestrate anything," he said. "That wouldn't be right."

Ron Parker, spokesman for Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack's last campaign, sported a Lamar Alexander button and headed for a polling place. "Lamar's been my guy for a long time," he laughed.

Republicans said they were serious about enforcing time limits on the presidential candidates, and they wasted no time demonstrating that resolve.

Alan Keyes was the first speaker, and he had the jammed coliseum rocking with his fiery oratory when he came to the time limit. GOP officials shut off the microphone, cutting off Keyes in mid-sentence.

There was a smattering of boos from Keyes' backers and he stood frozen for a moment. His family quickly came on stage, and they all waved and walked off.

The party gave each of the nine candidates a total of 13 minutes to speak. Most planned a three-minute "spontaneous" demonstration, followed by a 10-minute speech.

State Republican officials have said they warned candidates in advance that the time limit would be enforced.

Steve Forbes started his appearance with a fireworks display and balloon drop. But the balloons might have backfired on him. Forbes' speech was punctuated throughout with the sound of the balloons popping in the auditorium.

Not all those who came to Ames actually got inside the Hilton Coliseum to hear the candidate speeches.

Roughly three hours before voting ended, officials began refusing access to the facility, saying it was filled to legal capacity. With the seating arrangement selected by Republicans, the building holds just under 14,000.

There were thousands of people still milling outside at that time, with some entertainment still going on.

Hundreds of bikers were among those attending the straw poll.

"I'm not supporting anybody," said Paul Orton, of Eldora, better known as "Taco."

Orton drove in with the bike brigade headed by Colorado Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, and Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, as did Mark Maxwell, who had stronger opinions.

"We're very passionate people," said Maxwell. "We get involved."

Maxwell said he was voting for publisher Steve Forbes.

There were plenty of athletes in Ames, too, showcased by the candidates they supported.
But Reggie White, a recently retired pro football star, had his own mission. He wanted the presidential candidates to sign a pledge to stamp out pornography. "I'm trying to promote godly things," he said.

The former Green Bay Packer at one time was a big backer of Gary Bauer, but insisted he wasn't supporting any candidate right now.

Orrin Hatch brought in NBA star Karl Malone, of the Utah Jazz, while Texas Gov. George W. Bush brought in former pro football star Roger Staubach and popular former University of Iowa football Coach Hayden Fry.

Fry was the role model for the television series "Coach" and is a transplanted Texan.

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