Rand Paul wins 2014 CPAC straw poll, Ted Cruz finishes a distant second

The Associated Press ^ | 03-08-2014 | Stephen Dinan

[PaulCruz2016]

Sen. Rand Paul demolished his competition in the 2014 Washington Times/CPAC presidential preference straw poll on Saturday, winning 31 percent of the vote -- nearly three times the total of second-place Sen. Ted Cruz.

Mr. Cruz's 11 percent was still a big improvement for the freshman senator, who won just 4 percent in last year's straw poll. Neurosurgeon Ben Carson was third with 9 percent and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was fourth with 8 percent in results that signal growing discontent with the GOP establishment in Washington.

Indeed, CPAC voters now have an unfavorable view of Republicans in Congress, with 51 percent saying they disapprove of the job the GOP is doing on Capitol Hill. Just last year the GOP had a 54 percent approval rating, and in 2012 they held a 70 percent approval rating.

[PaulCruz2016]

Rand Paul: 31%
Ted Cruz: 11%
All the other losers (Christie, Bush): less than 10%

[ObamahatesPACoal]

I thought Christie was coming back.

Rand has clashed with Christie more than Cruz.

[CatherineofAragon]

So the Ron Paul cultists turned out for Rand.

[2ndDivisionVet]

How many Paulestinians did they bus in?

[grania]

That's a good result. As long as Cruz and Paul are always first and second, there's a good chance we can get a Cruz/Paul ticket. Or Paul/Cruz.

Either way, the ticket wins the election.

[ConservativeMan55]

Bttt

[ObamahatesPACoal]

This was about beating Christie.

[Hostage]

After hearing about the background of those attending CPAC I am not sure I would ever support such a group. I wondered why Ted needed to be at such an event but he has to touch all the hands in his run for president. I just hope he remembers where he came from when he makes it over the top.

[FreeReign]

LOL.

Ron Paul Wins Presidential Straw Poll at CPAC -- Again

[kjam22]

I’d like those two on the same ticket...

[Viennacon]

Makes sense. CPAC has a younger audience than the general GOP electorate. I congratulate him. Cruz is still my #1 pick though.

[VitacoreVision]

Rand Paul is Winning the Drudge Poll as well.

Results so far:

RAND PAUL 29.91% (24,034 votes)
TED CRUZ 29.42% (23,637 votes)

http://www.drudgereport.com/

[old curmudgeon]

What is Rand Paul’s position on illegal immigration?

[itsahoot]

Rand Paul: 31%

Legalized pot gathered more support than Rand.

[rabidralph]

His support for McConnell probably put him over the top.

[Zenjitsuman]

This is meaningless, half the voters were under 30 years old. That is a group who don’t show up at the polls.

Also, the Paul’s push legalized marijuana which may account for Paul’s popularity with the Pothead vote.

I like Ted Cruz, but he doesn’t inherit Pauliacs.

[FreeReign]

Folks. A Paul always seems to win CPAC. Doesn't mean a thing.

As I pointed out in my previous post Ron won in 2010 and 2011.

[Zenjitsuman]

Your comment reminds me that Ron Paul was thought to be Anti Semitic.

I don’t know enough about Rand to think he is pro Palestinian but we shall be watching to see if his campaign is getting a lot of Arab money

[bigbob]

I’m good with that.

[Zenjitsuman]

I would be much more interested in a Freerepublic straw poll