Ron Paul wins Republican Leadership Conference Straw Poll

[aaaaaa5a]

The Republican Leadership Conference just concluded their straw poll.

Here are the results.

Paul 612 votes

Huntsman 382 votes

Michele Bachmann 191 votes

Herman Cain 104 votes

Mitt Romney 74 votes

Newt Gingrich 69 votes

Sarah Palin 41 votes

Rick Santorum 30 votes

Tim Palwenty 18 votes




I'm not a big fan of straw polls. I just never thought they really meant all that much.

What is interesting is that at the Republican Leadership Conference, Romney and Pawlenty did not attend, sighting scheduling conflicts. (yea right!). And Huntsman said he could not give a speech there because he was sick (Are you kidding me?) At least Huntsman sent his wife and kids. (I don't know what to think about a man who sacrifices his wife and kids for an event he clearly thinks is filled with crazy people!) Romney and Pawlenty were complete no-shows.

This is important because it highlights the upcoming divide within the GOP, with the traditional country club Republicans on one side (now called GOP moderates) and the radical, anti-science, tea party, Dixie-crats on the other side (now called conservatives). Romney, Huntsman and Pawlenty were to busy thinking about a potential general election match up to get caught up talking about secession, birth certificates, Kenya, muslims, tyranny, ending a woman's right to choose, and creationism.

Look at this list of GOP Presidential contenders. Here is who spoke and who stayed away.

Attended/Spoke
Bachmann
Gingrich
Cain
Paul
Santorum

Didn't attend
Romney
Huntsman
Pawlenty


With that divide in mind, the fact that Huntsman finished second in the straw poll is pretty telling. This backs up data by Gallup that shows the GOP wants to nominate someone they think can win, even if that person does not agree with their views, or in this case, gives a lame excuse as a reason to not even show up! Huntsman finished well ahead of Romney. This provides further evidence that despite Romney's big lead, he has deep problems with the party's base.

Finally, can I call Pawlenty's campaign officially dead? Once again despite all of the media hype, Pawlenty finishes in dead last place. And no, had he actually shown up, I don't think his numbers would have been that much better. Pawlenty is a man without a base. He is a man without a home. He is finished. A few days ago I stated that there was no reason to even read national polls matching up Pawlenty and Obama. They are a waste of time. Pawlenty will not be the GOP nominee… PERIOD.


Full story here.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8300-503544_162-503544.html#ixzz1Pfsrxasn

[Webster Green]

1. I think he usually does win these things.

Hasn't he won for the last few?

[aaaaaa5a]

2. Yes

If I recall Ron Paul has won his fair share of straw polls. This only further adds to their uselessness, because Ron Paul will never be President. This also makes Huntsman's finish that much more amazing. This was a conference he basically blew off, but still finished in second. He finished well ahead of Romney. In a way, among people who legitimately can be President, he actually won. (Ron Paul is just a sideshow!). This poll must be looked at as great news for Huntsman, and the first sign of life for his campaign.

[Dokkie]

4. if by blew off you mean

sending and paying hundreds of supporters to attend and vote for him then Huntsman blew it off. Remember, Huntsman was scheduled to make a speech. He was probably concerned with the reception he would recieve from the Ron Paul supporter crowd and wisely decided to chicken out. Ron Paul wins it and all of a sudden it is irrelevant but when Romney does, it becomes a good indicator.

[aaaaaa5a]

5. Yea…. that must be it!

:sarcasm:


Maybe off of this result we should declare Ron Paul as the GOP front-runner.:rofl:

[Tarheel_Dem]

10. It's a gathering of activists. Of course he routinely wins these things.

I dare say that Kucinich and/or Sanders would win at a gathering of "progressives". The problem is this is the only place they can actually win. It is what it is.

[aaaaaa5a]

11. Agreed. NT

[Arkana]

3. Paul wins these things because his supporters know how to votebomb them.

That's why he wins online polls too.

[krabigirl]

6. Actually, for this one, apparently huntsman bussed a bunch of people in.

[aaaaaa5a]

8. You are right.

Here is the full story from CBS


"Despite missing the conference - his wife and daughter came in his place but did not speak - former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman finished a strong second in the presidential straw poll.
It was rumored that Huntsman's campaign bought tickets for and bussed in a number of college Republicans to up his vote, and his campaign did not deny as much to CBS News.
If true, it might not matter: The headlines out of the conference will be Huntsman's stronger-then-expected showing among the conservative activists who are believed to view him warily because of his centrist positions on immigration, cap-and-trade legislation and gay rights. And that will serve as a signal to potential donors and the GOP establishment that he may be a viable standard-bearer for the party."


Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20072308-503544.html#ixzz1Ph8luZgu

[madinmaryland]

7. re: Huntsman. In 2008, the GOoP thought Fred Thompson was the saviour.

I don't really read much into Huntsman's showing. Wait until he comes out, and actually has to face the music.

[ej510]

9. This is when Faux begins to minimize him.