Posted on 08/16/2007 10:54:11 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Last week's Iowa straw poll got a lot of national attention -- historically it's known to be something that could make or break a presidential candidate. On Thursday, Illinois got in on the action, with its first-ever straw poll.
The polls were open at the state fair, and voters chose a candidate for president.
But it's not Election Day -- its the first straw poll in Illinois.
"You felt the enthusiasm in that room -- here it is, it was pouring rain at the time, and people were literally standing in the rain waiting to vote,” said Illinois State Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna.
Republicans came in from across the state, ready to celebrate party unity.
"This is important because it brings Republicans together,” said Senator Bill Brady.
People who voted in the straw poll got to choose from nine presidential candidates as well as several state constitution issues.
"There's a host of constitutional review questions. We put those out there because in 2008, it goes on the ballot do you want to change the constitution through a convention,” said McKenna.
In addition to gauging public opinion, the straw poll also highlights Illinois' contributions to national politics.
"I think because it is so close to Iowa's straw poll that one more activity about a straw poll and preference for president -- I think it will resonate with the public,” said Senator Dan Rutherford.
No matter what the opinion is, it didn't stop hundreds of people from pouring in to Springfield on a rainy day.
Here are the final poll results:
1. Mitt Romney -- 40.35%
2. Fred Thompson -- 19.96%
3. Ron Paul -- 18.87%
4. Rudy Giuliani -- 11.61%
5. John McCain -- 4.12%
6. Mike Huckabee -- 3.04%
7. Sam Brownback -- 1.08%
8. Duncan Hunter -- .65%
9. Tom Tancredo -- .33%
ron paul a close 3rd....
Your headline is wrong. Rudy was 4th.
Rudy in first place? Your headline does not match the results you posted.
I meant Romney, I’ll get it fixed by the moderator...late at night, I goof up sometimes. LOL Thanks for catching that!
Rudy, Precious, whatever, they’re all still the three-headed RINO Rudy McRomney to me, all rotten.
Ron’s doing so well he’ll be the last one to withdraw from the race. ;)
Sometimes those freudian slips is nocturnal.
It’s gotta be a little bit tough being John McCain these days.
“It’s gotta be a little bit tough being John McCain these days.”
Yeah, but he has only himself to blame.
Now if Thompson would just announce his candidacy. I bet he’d be on top.
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