DES MOINES - Republican presidential hopeful Sam Brownback said Monday this weekend's Ames straw poll will be a contest between passion and money. And he thinks he has a chance to pull the upset.

The Kansas senator is pinning high hopes on the straw poll, which his backers believe could help him emerge from a pack of lesser-known GOP contenders.

In the past, winning the poll has meant buying up thousands tickets and busing in legions of supporters. It's a pricey strategy for a frugal, upstart campaign.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who has built a formidable, well-financed organization in Iowa, is the favorite to win the straw poll.

"We can't compete with the money," Brownback said. "We do have a lot of passionate people on board. And they're helping put intensely, giving long days and long hours."

Brownback has campaigned hard to gain the support of Christian conservatives, who are expected to make up a large share of straw poll attendees. Among the guests at Brownback's straw poll tent will be Norma McCorvey, the "Jane Roe" of the Roe v. Wade decision who is now a pro-life activist, and Steve McEveety, executive producer of the film "Passion of the Christ."

Brownback is taking a day off the campaign trail today to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary.

"But I'll be right back," Brownback said.

HERE COME THE BIDENS - Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is returning to Iowa, and he's bringing the family.

Biden's wife, Dr. Jill Biden, his son, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden and his sister, Valerie Biden Owens, will campaign in Iowa starting Wednesday and continuing through Labor Day.

Sen. Biden plans to make stops at the Iowa State Fair, the AFL-CIO state convention in Waterloo and the Hawkeye Federation of Labor conference in Cedar Rapids.

REDEMPTION - Pastor Bill Devlin is spending time in Iowa trailing presidential candidates and encouraging young Iowans to get politically involved.

Devlin leads New York-based Redeem the Vote, the Christian right's answer to Rock the Vote. Rock the Vote is the MTV-inspired effort that uses pop stars and others to encourage youth political activism. Many of the spokes-voters tend to be politically left-of-center celebrities.

Devlin is traveling the state this week trying to get young Christians to attend this weekend's GOP straw poll.

"We believe we're starting a revolution among young people," Devlin said after attending a Sam Brownback house party. "We don't say, 'Who would Jesus vote for?' We do say, 'What would Jesus do?'"

Devlin said his group signed up 79,000 new voters during the last election cycle at concerts featuring Christian music acts.

Devlin concedes he has his work cut out for them in Iowa, where the average caucus-goer is in their mid-50s.

HUCKABEE'S BACK - Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee opens a three-day Iowa campaign swing Wednesday leading up to Saturday's Ames straw poll.

On Wednesday, Huckabee makes stops in Spencer, Algona, Boone and West Des Moines. He campaigns in central Iowa Thursday and spends the day at the Iowa State Fair on Friday.