Rep. Ron Paul of Texas has won the presidential straw poll at the Republican Leadership Conference.
The perennial libertarian candidate won 612 votes from the gathering that brings presidential candidates, party elders, grassroots activists and donors. Coming in second place was former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who served three Republican administrations and then worked as President Barack Obama’s ambassador to China.
Huntsman got 382 votes, but did not address the conference. Aides said he was ill.
His wife, Mary Kaye Huntsman, came to meet privately with activists.
Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, a tea party darling, collected 191 votes. Former pizza executive Herman Cain won 104 votes and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney skipped the event and picked up 74 votes. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich got 69 votes.
5 thoughts on “Ron Paul wins GOP straw poll in New Orleans”
This is a straw poll and has always given Ron Paul a lead over others. Paul actually speaks for the majority of fiscal conservatives and if the GOP were smart, they all would be pro-choice candidates. Huntsman sunk his own ship this morning. The GOP are a bunch of has beens under the direction of the religious right.
I’ve been following these straw polls for years. This one was expected….When the actual debates begin, it will be who is the most eccentric Christian of the lot.
I’m waiting for the establishment GOP members to come out and say that their poll was hijacked. At least that’s the excuse they’ve given every other time Paul won. I’m curious to see if they claim that for Huntsman as well.
I like Ron Paul but if this country is truly going to change, change the entire congress. Afterall, they are the bodies that make the law, not the president.
Even if Ron Paul managed to get elected, he could only effect real change with congress behind him, but this will never happen with the current crop of crooks(I.E. both parties)that are the yokes around our necks!
Ronald Reagan said: “A person who agrees with you 80% of the time is your friend and ally, not some 20% traitor.”
For moderate Republicans, it looks like there is only one person running who meets that 80% agreement criteria: Barack Obama!
The hardcore fiscal conservatives will always vote for Ron Paul. During the final campaign he might even get more votes. He announced at the last conference that he would repeal Rove v Wade. This might also mean he lost his base of voters who demand their personal choices remain with themselves.
Sadly the majority of American voters cannot take responsibility for their own actions and will need the government to direct their choices. I am very disappointed and probably will give up voting. Why should I support any leader who feels the government has the rights to tell us how to live? I used to believe that it was my duty to keep the government out of our private lives. Now, I am beginning to feel it really doesn’t matter as Americans are too damn stupid to know right from wrong.
I”m tired of waiting for a Republican candidate who respects the voters to decide for themselves. I’m just sorry the Democrats could not put up a candidate who meant what he promised in 2008. They are all liars!
Comments are closed.