Paul wins straw poll, Huntsman ranks second

[onehandle]

Source: AP

NEW ORLEANS – 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.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110618/ap_on_el_ge/us_republicans2012_straw_poll

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Just for show. It's going to be Mittens.

Go third party, teabaggers. It's your only 'hope.'

[Angry Dragon]

1. t-paw must have gotten his usual ZERO

[elocs]

2. Straw polls are usually worth, well, "straw".

Did anybody realize that "straw" spelled backwards reads "warts"? That is how you get warts from straw.

[lobodons]

3. Romney beats Gingrich by 5 votes

While straw polls are usually meaningless, they can provide some insight.

[struggle4progress]

4. Paul hasn't got a chance

[ejbr]

5. Newt got 69

how a propos.

[awoke_in_2003]

7. Seeing "Newt" and "69"...

in the same sentence just made me throw up a little.

[GentryDixon]

6. Mittens is probaly having kittens to think Jon beat him out.

[TomCADem]

8. Paul wins RLC straw poll; Romney fades to fifth

Source: First Read

NEW ORLEANS -- Ron Paul won the straw poll here at the Republican Leadership Conference overwhelmingly with 612 votes, drawing big boos and some quieter chants of "Ron Paul." Jon Huntsman finished a surprising second with 382 votes, despite being a late scratch because of a "bad cold." Michele Bachmann was third with 191 votes.

Herman Cain was fourth with 104 votes. Mitt Romney, the presumed front runner, who won the straw poll here a year ago, faded to fifth with 74 votes. Tim Pawlenty finished with just 18 votes, fourth from the bottom of the 12-person ballot, just ahead of Gary Johnson (10), Buddy Roemer (9), and Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (2).

Paul’s ardent followers packed the ballroom here before, during, and just after his speech, but they were barely seen listening to other speeches. They have organized to win straw polls at many other conservative events as well.


Read more: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/06/18/6888893-paul-wins-rlc-straw-poll-romney-fades-to-fifth

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Too bad that this does not really matter, since the only question is who Roger Ailes will ultimately greenlight to run for the Republican presidency.

[BeyondGeography]

9. Lots of Romney hate chez les Pubs

Can't criticize their instincts there.