Saturday, February 12, 2011

Ron Paul Wins CPAC Straw Poll Again

CPAC takes an annual straw poll to gauge who the conservative attendees favor for the upcoming Republican presidential race. Seldom is a candidate who wins the straw poll successful in winning the party's nomination to the disappointment of the event's organizers. For the second year in a row, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) won the straw poll with support from 30% of the attendees, drawing boos from many in the audience. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitch Romney came in second with 23%. Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie tied for third with 6% followed by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich with 5%. Gov. Mitch Daniels, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and U.S. Rep. Michelle Bachman (R-MN) each received 4%. Sarah Palin received the support of just 3% of the attendees.

6 comments:

M Theory said...

Here's the Faux News spin:

Fox says the *real* story isn't Ron Paul coming in first but that Romney came in 2nd two years in a row.

(not the story that Ron Paul won the straw poll two years in a row)

TURN OFF YOUR TV!

Gary R. Welsh said...

Romney, too, has won this straw poll in the past. I attended a CPAC convention once back in the 1980s. It's not a real representative group. They rely on a some real fringe nonprofits to help fill the event's exhibit hall to bolster attendance. The allowance of the gay organization, GOProud, was not about inclusion but having another paying exhibitor. I think about anyone who coughs up the money can get into the event. I can't believe David Keene is still in charge of it. He's a total bufoon who runs the ACU, which is pretty much a paper organization these days. I thought I read where his wife had been caught embezzling money from the organization not long ago. I'm surprised he's allowed to show his face there. I thought Phyllis Schlaffly was dead until I saw her on the stage last night making introductions.

Pete Boggs said...

It would be far preferable to keep Romney's Mitt off of our health care.

Nick said...

One of the biggest problems with CPAC is that it's been overrun with Ron Paul supporters, who are rude and often boo speakers that they don't agree with.

ACU has also caused controversy by allowing the John Birch Society to have a booth.

Keene should've been removed as chairman a long time ago, especially after the Fed Ex/UPS controversy erupted.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25072.html

And yes, his ex wife stands accused of embezzling tens of thousands, but he says since they were divorced at the time he had no way of knowing.

Despite being a buffoon, he stands to be named president of the NRA.

M Theory said...

Ron Paul supporters booed war criminals Cheney and Rumsfeld. I applaud them for that.

No one booed Daniels.

artfuggins said...

The local media made it sound like Mitch wowed the crowd and won them over and was the new hot sensation. I guess he won over 4%.