Ron Paul Wins Conservatives’ Straw Poll : NPR
Congressman Ron Paul of Texas won the informal poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C., for the second straight year Saturday. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney finished second.
Paul got 30 percent, while Romney got 23 percent of the votes of those attending the conference.
Others were grouped far behind.
Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson had 6 percent along with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich got 5 percent. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Rep. Michele Bachmann and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels each were at 4 percent.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin got 3 percent and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee got 2 percent. Palin and Huckabee are two high-profile Republicans who did not attend, while many potential candidates made speeches at the conference.
Paul is a hero to libertarians and has a fiercely loyal following.