CPAC Straw Poll: The Results (Romney Wins)

Hugh Hewitt's Blog on Townhall.com ^ | 3/3/2007 | Patrick Ruffini

[Pyro7480]

Romney wins narrowly while Rudy Giuliani (a client) finishes a strong second:

Romney 21%
Giuliani 17%
Brownback 15%
Gingrich 14%
McCain 12%

On combined first and second place choices, it's a win for Rudy:

Giuliani 34%
Gingrich 30%
Romney 30%

That's not too shabby. Romney's people spent thousands of dollars getting their folks to CPAC. It seemed like every other person in line for Romney's speech yesterday had an official Mitt t-shirt on -- and he certainly was being attacked as though he was the man to beat. Even so, Rudy manages to pull off a near-win by just showing up and has the most first and second place votes.

The question of whether conservatives can support Rudy Giuliani was answered pretty decisively this week.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Romney's pro-gay side is showing. He thinks the government should force its citizens to respect homsexuality. And all this over a comment that wasn't even about gays. Edwards has a wife. No one actually thinks he is homosexual. She was just calling him essentially a girly-man. Um, is The Governator the only one who can do that?

What she said was funny. It was a spin on a recent silly hollywood news item also.

[PhiKapMom]

From a good friend in email:

Romney 21%
Giuliani 17%
Brownback 15%
Gingrich 14%
McCain 12%

The combined first- and second-place questions are a win for Rudy:

Giuliani 34%
Gingrich 30%
Romney 30%

That’s not too shabby. Romney’s people spent thousands of dollars getting their folks to CPAC. It seemed like every other person in line for Romney’s speech yesterday had an official Mitt t-shirt on — and he certainly was being attacked as though he was the man to beat. Even so, Rudy manages to pull off a near-win by just showing up and has the most first and second place votes.

The question of whether conservatives can support Rudy Giuliani was answered pretty decisively this week.

[bw17]

"But it's good to see that the social conservatives at CPAC are well-informed about Guiliani."

Yes, and the conservatives who believe strongly in preserving traditional family values and the unborn's right to life, soundly rejected him.

[deport]

My question is where did the so called 'true conservatives' go? Did they not attend, not vote, or are they in fact not as large of a group that they like to project themselves to be?.. I'm confused in that two 'east coast liberals' as they are described here can come into this bastion of conservatism and walk away with the two top spots.... Blows the mind.

[Halgr]

So Hunter was railroaded?????????????/

[OldFriend]

Ann just can't help herself.

Most unfortunate.

[OldFriend]

Was this poll taken AFTER the conference? During? Before?

[Unmarked Package]

(((PING))) to FIRST PLACE finish for Mitt Romney in CPAC Straw Poll on March 3, 2007.

[deport]

So Hunter was railroaded?????????????/

---

I don't think he was railroaded but rather is assigned to the small pond to which that Coulter gal alluded to. He's just not in the big pond she described. He did come in at 5% as the 2nd choice category and at 7% in the combined 1st-2nd choice.

[nctexan]

"Hunter is getting blackballed by these clowns. They're gonna shut him out of the entire election process..."

I heard the MSM was hiding him because he's the only one who could beat the DEM's.

But who are "these clowns" that are blackballing him now?

[advance_copy]

I hope Fred Thompson decides to run for President. He will stand solidly on conservative values and win to become the next President of the United States. And that is the only way the GOP wins in 2008.

[Trteamer]

Since you were there, was Duncan Hunter on the ballot?

[Swordfished]

Kevin Madden, a spokesman for Mr. Romney, said: “It was an offensive remark. Governor Romney believes all people should be treated with dignity and respect.”

Classy all the way.

Not that I condemn Ann for saying what she did, she's free to choose to be within a certain class of political discourse...right alongside those who disparage candidates for their weight or looks.

[Halgr]

So your telling me that CPAC is not a true republican conservative organization?????

[Pyro7480]

He was on the ballot.

[rjp2005]

The guys who are trying to masquerade as full conservatives while Duncan has been for his career.

[deport]

So your telling me that CPAC is not a true republican conservative organization?????

---

Not telling you a thing as to what CPAC is. I think the CPAC respondants spoke along the lines that most polls show today with regard to which candidates are leading the GOP nominating process at this time.

[TAdams8591]

Good news for Romney! I'm glad to hear it! : )

[TAdams8591]

Thanks for the ping! : )

I'd like to see Romney gain momentum.

[JCEccles]

Romney’s people spent thousands of dollars getting their folks to CPAC. It seemed like every other person in line for Romney’s speech yesterday had an official Mitt t-shirt on — and he certainly was being attacked as though he was the man to beat. Even so, Rudy manages to pull off a near-win by just showing up and has the most first and second place votes.

The lesson here is that Rudy got out-hustled and out-organized by Romney. Rudy apparently thinks all he has to do is chant "9/11" while thumbing social conservatives in the eye.

Is Giuliani smart enough to learn from it? I hope not. But we'll see.