Posted on 02/20/2010 6:56:45 PM PST by SmartInsight
Paul's victory renders a straw poll that was already lightly contested among the likely 2012 GOP hopefuls all but irrelevant as the 74-year-old Texan is unlikely to be a serious contender for his party's nomination.
CPAC organizers were plainly embarrassed by the results, which could reduce the perceived impact of a contest that was once thought to offer a window into which White House hopefuls were favored by movement conservatives.
A spokesman for the conference rushed over to reporters following the announcement to make sure they had heard the unmistakable boos when the screen first showed Paul had won the straw poll.
2,935 votes were cast in the straw poll, the most in the history of the 37-year conference, but a fraction of the approximately 10,000 people who attended CPAC
Forty-eight percent of those who participated in the contest indicated that they were students and the divergent reaction to the results reflected the outcome.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
I was at CPAC three years ago and a newbie confused about procedure and programs. I read nothing about a straw pole but saw the table once or twice. I was concerned about getting a seat and could not see through the crowd at the table to know what they were doing. I thought I could catch it later but it wasn’t available. I was disappointed I missed the whole thing. It’s done before you hear most of the speakers.
I was at CPAC three years ago and a newbie confused about procedure and programs. I read nothing about a straw pole but saw the table once or twice. I was concerned about getting a seat and could not see through the crowd at the table to know what they were doing. I thought I could catch it later but it wasn’t available. I was disappointed I missed the whole thing. It’s done before you hear most of the speakers.
That really isn't news, but it seems to be here. So whenever the STOP-MITT campaign is mentioned ... one must question whether Pawlenty would warrant the same revulsion.
Which one were you at? What was the vote about? How many voted then?
To me, Paul is really not a Republican.
Just a RINO
Since I want the best candidate who can beat Obama,
that means Conservative Republican Sarah Palin.
A "little Chicago" in the CPAC halls?
It worked for Stupid Stinky BO Dumbo in the Iowa caucus.
Pawlenty is okay ... mixes conservative with pragmatic / populist.
He's not someone who should be ruled out, but ideally we'd find someone better.
I'd give him a 7 out of 10, Huckabee 5, Romney 4.
I am not a big fan, but as long as Sarah is not there I love it.
The Paulites must’ve stood in line over and over or the media went and voted too?
BINGO! Ron has no chance to win the nomination or election in 2012, BUT, he represents folks who are sick of the same BS from politicians from BOTH sides. Yes, Paul is wrong on some key issues - but even HE would have been better than Obama the total Communist.
But that being said - I think it is pretty classless that he got booed for "winning". If those folks didn't like it, they should have voted.
Will someone PLEASE share with me the so-called “conservative” qualities of Mitt Romney... So far, and based on the 2008 election, all I heard was a bunch of Kerry-esque waffling on issues that are core to Conservatives, and his record was very telling.
So in what ways is Mitt truly “Conservative”?
Just when I think there can be some progress in ridding the GOP of some RINOs, a push for that nutjob resurfaces.
Fear not.
Paul will get the same .07 % he always gets.
The big CPAC question is Why is Romney invited?
It’s the hair, dude.
That mesmerizing hair!
Paul / Palin 2012
It was 2007. Ann Coulter was there, Cheney and Bush, Duncan Hunter, Phyllis Schlaffly, Michelle Malkin, Pat Boone, Mitt Romnie (he won the straw poll), Huckaby, Horowitz with Tom Delay, Ron Paul, Gulianni, Jim DeMint,Sam Brownback, Inehoff, Pence, and Tancredo.
Mitt Romney 21%
Rudy Giuliani 17%
Sen. Sam Brownback 15%
Newt Gingrich 14%
Sen. John McCain 12%
When first and second choices merged heres the breakdown:
Rudy Giuliani 34%
Newt Gingrich 30%
Mitt Romney 30%
How many voted out of the total present?
you might ask Jim DeMint. He supported him and Jim is the most conservative Senator.
The crowd was 58% 25 and under in age, of course Ron Paul won!
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