Posted on 09/26/2015 3:16:50 PM PDT by VinL
The results are in at the Values Voter Summit -- and, for once, Donald Trump fails to top a conservative poll.
The straw poll at the summit, a conservative gathering hosted by the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C., showed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz winning over voters, leading the pack for the third year in a row.
Cruz, with 35 percent of support, was followed by neurosurgeon-turned-politician Ben Carson, with 18 percent of the vote. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee came in third, drawing 14 percent of supporters, followed by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio at 13 percent.
Play Video Why so thin-skinned, Donald Trump?
Registering at fifth place on the survey results: Donald Trump, the GOP front-runner in many state and national polls.
The religious conservatives in attendance simply weren't buying what Trump had to offer. Despite bringing his Bible on stage when addressing the audience, Trump registered at only 5 percent. Trump was even booed at the summit when he slammed Rubio over his immigration policies and called him a "clown."
Below Trump, Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and former Hewlett-Packard chief Carly Fiorina came in with 4 percent and 3 percent of the vote, respectively.
Trump's low support among the conservative evangelical base will come as no surprise for those following the billionaire's presidential campaign. Trump has been known to flout convention when it comes to wooing the religious right, even admitting once that he was "not sure" that he had ever asked God for forgiveness.
"If I do something wrong, I think I just try and make it right, I don't bring God into that picture," Trump said in July at the Family Leadership Summit in Iowa.
Still, Family Research Council president Tony Perkins, who announced the summit's results, said that Trump's fifth place showing was still "pretty good."
Of the issues most important to attendees, the top three included protecting religious liberty, advocating against abortion rights and protecting "natural marriage."
Carson, with 25 percent of the vote, was the first choice for the vice-presidential slot.
At least 2,700 registered participants attended the summit.
Right...but you’d agree- better to win, than not to win.
Considering all the FReepers who claim that Trump is only in the race to help Cruz, this should mean a lot of happy FReepers.
Actually, the GOP-e might have a chance of beating the conservative if the GOPe abandoned its obsession with Bush.
Bush drops out, and a Rubio or Kasich stand a much better chance.
The religious vote.
I don’t understand it, this is a group that Cruz has courted for half a decade in one form or another, they know him extremely well, how can he ONLY get 35 percent of their straw poll? And Ben Carson in double digits?
Someone needs to figure out what Cruz’s problem is connecting with voters, as this should have been over 50% for Cruz out of the field.
Santorum wasn’t leading in the polls in Iowa either and ended up winning. Iowans don’t really decide until the last few days. And the support tends to roll out quickly in waves once the power players make their endorsements, largely leaning towards the strongest social conservative.
These primary polls taken this early are mostly smoke and mirrors. Almost everyone is undecided and the pollsters force them to pick the choice they’re “leaning to.”
Here is the last Iowa caucus results compared to an NYT poll taken 20 days before:
IOWA ACTUAL:
2012 - Rick Santorum (25%), Mitt Romney (25%), Ron Paul (21%), Newt Gingrich (13%), Rick Perry (10%), Michele Bachmann (5%), and Jon Huntsman (0.6%)
IOWA POLL 20 DAYS BEFORE:
2012 - Newt Gingrich (31%), Mitt Romney (17%), Ron Paul (16%), Rick Perry (11%), Michele Bachmann (9%), Rick Santorum (4%), and Jon Huntsman (1%)
That would be great!
I don't dislike Trump, but I'm wary of overnight conversions to conservatism. Cruz has been a fiscal and social conservative from before he was elected to the Senate and he still is one. He's hated by the DC "elites" and it hasn't changed him.
Trump was boo’d after his remarks about Rubio....some here denied it and tried their best to dismiss it but people there confirmed it. Trump may be his own worst enemy. Time will tell.
“Sen. Ernst have both been unofficially favoring Walker.”
Has Senator Ernst made anyone squeal yet?
“Ted Cruz is hands down the champion of Constitutional Conservatism.”
I suppose that is why Cruz voted for the Corker bill, which neutralized and turned upside down the Constitutional treaty provision.
Nope, they booed Rubio. Wishful thinking on your part?
Steve King endorsed Fred Thompson in 2008— but from what I read, he’s undecided as to Trump and Cruz. His former chief of staff is directing Trump’s Iowa campaign, and his son is involved with one of Cruz’s Pacs.
what is wrong with you...cant you read? Idiot!
“Trump was boo’d after his remarks about Rubio....”
Even Frank Luntz said they were booing the mention of Rubio’s name.
I can read and you are the idiot. Geesh, you pathetic wuss.
Trump didn’t win the CPAC straw poll either. YOu can’t win em all.
Hey Dawg Brother!
They’re really nervous about The Donald, ain’t they? :^)
That should be good for Donald, because Donald is going to take the Iran deal and make it even better.
Unfortunately, Vet and I often post conjointly, except he always seems to beat me by a minute.
The guy’s damn quick.
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