Newt spoke on Thursday and I wasn't there. So the crowd for his speech may have picked up some goodies. Some people I talked to that attended the day before said Newt gave a great speech (I didn't see it, have to look online) and that energy may have carried over to the straw poll.
Thanks. I am willing to accept that. Newt likely gave his audience a book he’s written or maybe a video I think that might be normal for most of the speakers and I think it’s nice to receive a little something.
He is from the South, too, so that might be a factor. Some of the attendees might be very familiar with him. They might know him personally and like him.