what are next really or somewhat important events until January 2012 ?
December 19: Iowa caucus. (Kidding. There's virtually zero chance that IA and NH will move up to December.)
There aren't any straw polls that match Ames in prominence. Perhaps the biggest of the remaining straw polls is "Presidency 5" in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 22-24:
http://www.presidency5.com/history/which also coincides with a debate in Orlando on Sept. 22. Presumably, all candidates will at least participate in the debate. Romney has said that he won't participate in any straw polls, but perhaps the other candidates will? I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Before that, there's a debate on Sept. 7th in California, which will presumably be the first debate to include Perry. Around the same time, we'll probably find out if Bolton, Giuliani, or Palin are running, as they've all suggested that they'll probably announce their intentions either by "Labor Day" or at least "early September".
I don't know that there is much more in terms of important dates. Third quarter fundraising numbers have to be released by when? Oct. 15? Also, by Oct. 1, every state is supposed to tell the RNC what they're going to do about their primary or caucus dates. Though in reality, some states always miss the deadline, and nothing happens to them.
