Washington (CNN) - The results of the Washington Times CPAC straw poll of presidential candidates are in, and the winner is Texas Rep. Ron Paul, with 30 percent of the vote. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was the runner-up with 23 percent.
There were 3,742 ballots cast in the annual survey, which is a chance for devotees to name their pick for president in 2012. Fifty-six percent of those surveyed said they were generally satisfied with the field of potential candidates and 43 percent said they wished the GOP had a better field of potential candidates. For those surveyed, the size of the federal government was the most important issue to them.
CPAC is an annual gathering of conservatives, which this year served as the first cattle-call of potential 2012 Republican presidential candidates.
The full results:
Texas Rep. Ron Paul: 30 percent
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: 23 percent
Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson: 6 percent
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie: 6 percent
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich: 5 percent
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty: 4 percent
Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann: 4 percent
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels: 4 percent
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin: 3 percent
Former talk show host Herman Cain: 2 percent
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee: 2 percent
Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum: 2 percent
South Dakota Sen. John Thune: 2 percent
U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman: 1 percent
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour: 1 percent
Others: 5 percent
Undecided: 1 percent
From CNN Politics
© 2011 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Contact us | Work for us | Help
Mitch Daniels ties with Michelle Bachman! Love it. Mitch Daniels would be BY FAR the toughest for Obama to beat.
Great! His poll numbers are almost as dismal as Palin's! Obama will be re-elected in 2012, and this is just more proof of that...
For what it is worth, I would have voted Ron Paul as well had I been there. Congrats to the honorable Paul and to Gary Johnson my former governor for his third place finish.
he and Romney are the most coherent of this bunch- bachman and palin? please........
Ron Paul? Maybe the Republicans got back their common sense!
Hasn't Ron Paul won every straw poll he's been in in recent history?
I voted for Ron Paul the last time around and then found out they don't even count write-in votes in a lot of states.
The establishment is scared of Ron Paul because he represents real change, not faux change.
Huckabee, Romney, and Christie actually have a chance at winning. The rest of them are either crazy extremists, dumb, or just too angry to attract support.
Nothing to see here.. Ron Paul always buses in fanatics to CPAC to vote for him. Nobody outside of a small core think he's at all normal.
Looks like a Paul/Romney ticket might work.
I believe it'd be better for Ron Paul to be at the top than Sarah Palin. The man doesn't fall neatly into the Republican party ideal as he takes a more Libertarian approach on a lot of things. I vote either way since I don't believe in the merits of either party, and would be more likely to vote for a stand out candidate than someone who spouts the same old same old.
How many straw poll winners (from CPAC) became the republican nominee?
Wish more main stream people would listen to this man he has been consistent in his message and right most of the time. What he says people do not always like but the truth is the truth. Just follow and listen for awhile and think about what he says even study on it. You may find yourself for him quicker than you think.
The CPAC straw poll confirms it: the party faithful are a bunch of wingnuts.
He needs to be our President to restore all of the wrongdoings of a supposed democracy. There was a revolution in Egypt; now there needs to be a r[LOVE]ution in the USA! Ron Paul 2012!
Sadly, the only place he wins.
Obama has a chance against this guy.
Is it too early for a write in candidate?
Way to go Ron! You beat the social conservative scum! Ron Paul's message of freedom and prosperity is catching on, he is the only republican with a real plan going forward and really the only one who can beat Obama. I can't wait to see an Obama Paul debate, Barack would be stumbling while Ron Paul tells America the truth. I ask my anti war liberal friends to join us and let's end these wars, finally kill the patriot act, and stop running a global military empire we cannot afford while still honoring our promises made to the American people. We can carve a sustainable path going forward with a true servant, statesman, and economic genius like Ron Paul!
Romney is the best chance the GOP has of reclaiming the White House. More than anybody else, Romney understands how the economy works, and what it will take to get America's economy running on all cylinders.
Romney 2012!!!
Again, he usually wins this. Wish he could win the GOP primary... He's one Republican I would vote for! Wrote him in in 08...
This simply shows you that among those on the right that CPAC pull in even those far more right then most. Ron Paul wins high votes here but would not (and has not) with polls of the entire right populace.
Nobody payed any attention to CPAC for so many years...why is it in the news so much now? Because the right is a lose cannon these days....
While I don't agree with Ron Paul on many things, he is the only one of the pack that has any integrity.
I wish the media took Ron Paul seriously. He raises a lot of money and is popular with a growing segment of Americans who want fiscal responsibility and limited government in the social realm, I don't understand how major media outlets can just brush him off.
Happy to see that Palin is on the bottom of the list
Trump is right, Ron Paul can't get elected. These right wing whackos can pay lip service to themselves and get absolutely NO WHERE when it comes to getting someone elected. What a complete waste of time! How about doing something that's going to create some jobs like all of you said you were going to do?
It's harder and harder to see how the GOP can avoid a split in 2012, with Ron Paul or some other libertarian running as a third party candidate.
If they do, four more years of Obama. All Paul would have to do is win 10% of the vote to guarantee Obama's re-election, and that seems totally doable, especially with the rise of the libertarian-minded Tea Party.
Obama might have trouble winning 50% of the vote, depending on his GOP opponent, but he'll damn sure win 45, regardless of who he is running against.
When will Conservative go back to being a reference to people who are conservative and not anti-government radicals. This guy wants to stop funding schools, does that sound conservative to you?
That's the best they can do? The Dems should start planning for another 4 years of White House control. Of course, they don't really have anything better to offer than the Republicans. I wish there was a way to block political ads on my TV. I'm dreading them already.
I am sick and tired of the establishment media telling us who can and cannot be chosen. I bet if RON AND RAND PAUL were the republican ticket they could easily defeat Obama. Look at the elites choice Mitt Romney, he is a compromiser, a neo-con like George W., wavers his opinions and views, a rino, yes is slick and funny but at this point our country needs something better. We need someone who follows the constitution, who does what he says he is going to do, who tells the truth even when it is not popular! That to me sounds like Ron Paul! Some say he is too old! I say so what! If an old man like Ron Paul can energize the youth like he has than he can beat Obama! Go RON AND RAND PAUL you have my families and friends support!
Dr. Paul's voting record speaks for itself. The change Obama preached went against his career of capitulation to corporations. Ron Paul isn't 'change you can believe in', but his beliefs can change Washington
The revolution continues....
Go Ron Paul !!! Hope for America ... and the world.
Ron Paul, seriously ? Thanks for playing republican's ! Paul is almost as old and decrepit as John McCain and probably just as unpredictable ! How on earth will he be able to connect with middle America , young voter's and minorities like President Obama can ? Just looking at the cast of character's in this poll, President Obama can beat all of them ! President Obama will win again !
Thank you for this unbiased report, stating facts rather than spin, smears and out and out lies, like just about every other "news" source for Ron Paul's win.
I know it doesn't mean much but if Ron Paul's win helps get real issues such as monetary policy, the Fed, or the problems with global empire and massive spending out in the mainstream, and even a few more people wake up, it's all good. He's fighting for Main Street and he's been doing and saying the same things for 30 years. Ron Paul FTW!
Is this another Sarah Palin Moment. LOL Republicans!!!!! LOL
Interesting results I am interested to see if these results end up similar to the next Republican primaries. I am rather fascinated by how low Palin and Gingrich's percentages were, as well as how high Mitt Romney's percentage was. It is going to be an interesting 2012 campaign to watch.
Thank God! Ron Paul is the only candidate who makes sense!
Now with this assortment of potential candidates with almost no national credentials except for obamahatemongering, you can be sure the democracts wiill control the whitehouse into well, for another 12 yrs
So much for the Republicans' chances to win the Presidency in 2012.
Yes!!! Ron Paul will take the White House in 2012!!!
It's about time true conservative won. The phony conservativesfrom romney and pawlenty to bachmann and palin should all sit back down.
They now play this off as nothing. If Palin or Romney would have won they would make it sound like a big deal. Ron Paul will win in 2012! Join the revolution the Ron Paul Revolution! Ron Paul 2012!
Ron Paul had the strongest support and is a clear leader in conservative politics. I can't wait for the GOP to get behind Ron Paul for a win against Obama!
Interesting that Ron Paul won, but I doubt he will be the nominee, too libertarian to be elected IMO, but would be a huge improvement over what we have in the WH now.
END THE FED! The people are waking up!
So, the republican party platform is going to be a return to the 19th century, then?
Ron Paul ahead of all the pre Madonna's. Goes to show you, you can sell the same bull only for a while. We are all tired of the system, we need a major change.
Awsome for Ron Paul – the guy needs more air time on the big time networks
and not a one will beat president Obama in a general election. Not a one of these folks.
So what – he won it last time too. A small band of zealots does not a candidate make – let alone a POTUS.
Thankfully, Ron Paul's entire base of support shows up at this conference. Outside of this conference he gets 17 votes across America.
As a non-party affiliated citizen who has actively voted since my first election in 1988, I would NEVER vote for anyone with even remote ties to the TeaParty. They are extremists who not only do not listen to those of differing opinions but those who would truly love to destroy those of us who don't agree. Such extremism is unacceptable in our government.
I can support Ron Paul.
I definitely agree with them. I think that Congressman Ron Paul would be a great president. He is for the downsizing of government and auditing the federal reserve.
I'm highly relieved that Sarah Palin got almost squat in this. At least Ron Paul can form a thought.
YESSS!!!!!! RON PAUL 2012. The only Republican who actually advocates small government!!!
As the media tries to spin this victory I for one will be voting for Paul 2012 and the blogosphere is alive with comments of others posting the same. If the GOP won't allow someone like Paul to run then the Republican party deserves to fall apart. I can think of no other more viable candidate to run against Obama in 2012 than Dr. Paul. Support and defend the constitution. Freedom is popular!
i like paul
good to see people finally wise up and back a man with a sound fiscal policy.
All these are washed up , also ran., with no hopes of winning anything, much more the Presidency They should all go home pick their toes and smell it
Ho-frickin'-hum. So a loozer retread won over all the other loozer retreads. Wake me up in 2012.
Looks like the President has nothing to worry about in the next election.
Thank god these guys still have some sense left in them...a lot i should say...Ron Paul is the only honest man I can see in either party. I may not completely understand his ideology but I feel I can TRUST him.
I am So pleased to see Sarah Palin in 9th place. The world is a little safer now.
Remember, Jesus was very Liberal.
Which brings us to the question: Do we REALLY think that any of these people will do a better job than our current
President Obama? If we answer that question honestly, I think President Obama will easily be re-elected.
After more Republican hypocrisy and ruin of the middle class, Americans have awaken and won't cut off their noses to spite their faces for the sake of false "conservatism" and un-American agendas in 2012.
Go Ron! We need you!
Wow! I can see why 43% wanted a better field to choose from. Idiocracy looming in our future if anyone from this crowd ever gets near the White House.
Ron paul is a loser like the last time the. Stupid straw vote had voted in 2008 ! What a loser !
Woot!! Ron Paul!! I agree with most of his foreign policy but not all of his domestic policies. At least he's the ONE guy that will tell the American people the truth instead of telling them what they want to hear.
Obviously the straw polls are worthless since they never get it right when the Iowa primary comes along.
Field of freaks and hypocrites!!
You got my vote Ron in 2012!
Scary stuff, imagining any of these people president.
The GOP doesn't have the nerve to nominate Paul. They know he can't win...not that any of the rest of that group would do much better.
What about snooki – ill bet she would do better than this group of losers.
The middle class citizens (who are now the working poor) will suffer with the large influence of right wing extremist. We do not need cuts to medicare and social security to pay off our large debt caused by George W. Bush,s desire for a war in Iraqu. Do it another way. Cut military. Who are you protecting starving people.
Why couldn't Ron Paul be from anywhere but Texas (or anywhere else in the south for that matter?)
All suck. I'm voting for Obama!!
When are the Republicans going to get a clue and support the candidate that the people want, Dr. Ron Paul!!!!!
Ron will still have to hold a separate convention come 2012 as he is so far out of the mainstream of even the loony republicans that he doesn't belong. Maybe Ann Coulther can be his running mate. Sort of a repeat of McCain/Palin with hopefully the same results, but worse!
Good for Ron. Run Ron, Run! Let the Independents review your stances and remember why they voted for Obama.
This just shows how irrelevant this group is.
Nice
If Ron Paul would agree to regulate Wall Street and actually clean up Wall Street and stop giving our money away to countries like 1.3 B to Egypt's military... I would consider voting for him.
Ron Paul went from not being republican enough to most conservative?
We all know how important the CPAC straw poll is...look how far it got Ron Paul last time around.
Ron Paul has about as much chance of being elected President as I do.
This is bull. The GOP is only buying time. They have no idea who they want to lead the party. Just too many so called front runners. Bunch of sloppy bull malarky to throw the dems off if you ask me. No one person they have can compare to Obama. Not even close.
It is weird that Ron Paul always wins these straw polls etc but can never even get close nationally.
So Sarah got 71 votes, she could probably do better than that nation wide LOL
Of that list, Mitt Romney is the only one that would stand a chance at beating Obama. Ron Paul is a joke, no one would take Johnson or Christie seriously, Gingrich has baggage that would drag him down, and Pawlenty, Bachmann, or Palin running would not only keep the GOP out of the White House, it would probably be the worst defeat the GOP has seen since 1936.
A lot of people I know are already liking the fact that Paul won...just like they did in 2007, except for Romney.
In 2007, McCain, the eventual nominee came in FIFTH with 12% behind Romney (#1; 21%), Giuliani (#2; 17%), Brownback (#3; 15%), Gingrich (#4, 14%).
In 1999, it went to Steve Forbes!
Seems to me it's a pretty bad indicator of who will win.
Didn't he win this last time? Too bad the American people realize Ron is their best shot at a good government.
You know I was always told that empty barrel's make's the most noise.....these folk are a trip and they are sad,funny stupid and the whole nine yards. And they beleave the crazyness that come out of there mouth......Lord help us. These Repulic Party of NO!!!!! Needs help and the folks that vote's for them needs help also.
... American people DON'T realize ... sry.
good luck Ron Paul,but i stick with what mr Trumph said,you are not going to be a president because if you were,you would destroy America.There will be some naive people that put you in the House,but the majority of American won't be fool by your extremist character.You want to cut spending,that is fine if you need to cut your own salary,do not use our tax money on your own purpose.I hope the America will realize that they make a huge mistake by putting those extremists such as the Tea Party people.Those are nothing but haters.They hate the Fed,hate the president ,hate the little men like us.But they forget that they are the goverment themself.Coming to cut spending ,would you,Ron Paul,cut your own salary?I thank the people that sacrify their lives for the country,unite the country,not turning everyone agaisnt one another like the Tea Party trying to do.
That's OK, Sarah will still win the nomination.
Ron Paul for the win. He has my vote for president without a doubt.
He's the only repub I'd vote for in the presidential race 2012.
Wow. This is the best they could do? I would hope they can come up with better pretty soon.
Isnt this nice for you Republicans, No Palin, no Rommney, no Gingrich and no to the other cronies..it's time to just give uppp
"Fifty-six percent of those surveyed said they were generally satisfied with the field of potential candidates and 43 percent said they wished the GOP had a better field of potential candidates. " Why is 56 percent spelled out and not 43 not? Maybe, its a mind trick for simple people. Anyway, yes they would want better field of people. Just look at who you had there. The only True Contender is Ron Paul. People are tired of lies and Fox news but reading this article I kinda wonder if Fox and Cnn are in bed.
Ron Paul, 30%, I'm impressed. Nearly one third of 10% of the right-wing idiots who make up, what, five percent of the populace?
Why waste our time all these guys Stink.
Ron Paul. Is 75 and a half years old today. He has never been more than a U. S. Representative. I really don't know much about his positions on the issues, but really he is 75+ now and that means he would be 77+ if elected President in 2012, and making him 81+ at the end of his first term if elected in 2012. I want Obama out of office as bad as most republicans and I am an independent. You guys really need to sharpen your pencils and do it quick.
ROTHLMAO!! What a joke!
And where is SARAH???? Where is Bachmann???? A whole weekend of spewing HATE and this is all they come out of it with??? Gee Whiz!!!!
The GOP is definitely turning into a neo-Nazi movement.
Yes, I am sure this straw poll is sooo meaningful... for a party that kept shunning Ron Paul for years for ACTUALLY being a conservative.
You are aware that republicans will not get behind him, right? That once again he'll be snubbed in the primaries at 1% as he always has been?
Republicans don't want actual conservatives. Paul has been advocating international non-interventionism, ACTUAL fiscal conservatism, taking away subsidies from republicans' corporate and farmer friends, and a major reduction in the military. Oh, and he doesn't parrot some token lipservice about Jesus every time he is asking for campaign contributions, which is what all the other republican candidates have reduced Jesus to.
What a list of losers!!!!
But I thought the great conservative icon was Palin! That's what I was told! The media keeps telling me Sarah Palin is the next Reagan!
I am not an American but i just wanted to point out that i have watched a lot of speeches given by Ron Paul and he is the only Politician in the USA that i like.
The American Street knows they have been lied to.
both of our corrupt political parties
all of our corrupt controlled media
This ain’t no party
This ain’t no disco
This ain’t no fooling around
this show radicals like Sarah Palin go to extreems not needed instead of helping the republican party grow stronger to win instead dirty our political partyT Party won't win precidential elections
I agree– Ron Paul is the best they have. That is not a compliment.
more of the same from the gop. why not just give obama another term if this is all that we have
The Ship of Fools has elected their captain
for god's sake the dude is 75!!!!! he'll be 77 by the time the elections roll by!!!!!!! he'll be 81 at the end of his first term!! they need to enact age limits. dead current presidents do terrible things for the nation's moral. stop being selfish and stop trying to win. if you're still trying to get in the office at 77...you obviously weren't meant to win! stop trying!!!
Wait a minute! Sarah Palin only received 3% of the vote?! Was this straw poll taken in REAL America?
Encouraging to say the least. I only hope this type of consensus continues to the time when it can make a difference. Ron Paul is what this country needs right now.
No thank you. If Ron Paul and his son Ayn Rand Paul want a libertarian paradise they should move to Somalia.
The GOP is more screwed up than I thought and Palin is done.
Ron Paul is the only person I would vote for...unless a third party candidate came in the mix. Real change means getting rid of JUST having the two politcal party system
This list of has-beens and never-will-bes demonstrates the dearth of talent in the Republican party at this time. Surely before 2012 some "cream" will rise to the top.
RON PAUL 2012! Real change, real hope. Stop the wars, stop the inflation, restore sound money, stop american imperialism and empire. Focus on peace and prosperity. Can't wait to see all the media spin and falsehood spread about this poll. Ron Paul is the most intelligent, consistent, integrity driven individual this country could elect.
I was undecided up until I heard Mitt Romney speak. He gave an awesome speech. I am really impressed by him. I hope he runs!
Ron Paul is realy a democrat . and the idiot republicans don't know it . LOL any way we will re-elect Obama . and we need him to continue to take back AMERICA from the evil republican dark side of the force
Ron Paul comes in 10x higher than Palin. I guess the media and the machine can't pick who they want after all.
Ron Paul? With Mike Huckabee and Haley Barbour barely scoring? Apparently, Repubs really do eat their own. Well, at least Palin, Gingrich, and Bachmann are at the bottom of the list, too, so maybe there's some hope for the party after all.
Palins look ike did better than Paliin would have because she can't work a crowd unless she is scripted . and has control of any questions . so she is a looser that has lied her way into money . allot of stupid people out there . and John Boehner will cave to the new tea party elected group . the party of NO is about done . the only thing they can do is kiss Obama and try amd ask for forgiveness . should we let the republican off ? na make them own up forthe many years of lies and corruption..change has come to america . much like Egypt . we should learn from Egypt . we the people and support the only ptrsident that has given a crap in a long time ((((OBAMA ))) 2012 m and beyond
Well good to know that Sarah only had approximatly 113 of them votes! If I had to choose any of these contenders, Paul would be my choice too~
Winning the nomination is as far as any of those buffoons will get.
OBAMA 1012
What a sad group of regressive anti-social bigots. Sad, but typically Republican.
Most of these people like Paul are prepared to destroy this country in their attempt to save it on their terms!
They will throw the baby out with the bathwater to achieve political standing with their base.
They have absolutely -NO balance- in their plans. Just more extreme policy that we have seen from them before.
Great list of good old American wack jobs. Clearly, Obama has no worries. He could have a 10% approval rating right now and still win against the people Republicans have to put up.
Wonderful!
That will give Obama a second term.
I love Ron Paul, this is pretty exciting
SO what. He has not chance of winning the National election. Only a Huckabee/Palin ticket can take it. 2012
If Ron Paul is unelectable, why has he been re-elected to his 12th term in Congress?
hate all of them
At least Paul sounds most reliable among the bunch....
Looks like Sarah has some work to do. Maybe she should go Independent. That would be a riot.
I think Ron Paul would be a great president.. and I'm not even an American.
Well, he's a kook but a kook that probably truly believes and loves his country. Can we say the same about the other clowns? On the other hand, he did raise that Rand kid. Gotta shake your head on that one.
To dream the impossible dream...........
Haley Barbour got a full percent? That's suprising.
It is OK. The Republicans are not smart enough to let him win the primaries. He is too radical for the status quo. I have point out that he is the only candidate who can potentially win over Obama. Sadly, he is the only Republican who wants to shut down the Federal Reserve. The bankers are never going to let him win.
the best thing we could do for our country would be to elect ron paul president.
It will be very interesting to see what happens from here........I'm greatly looking forward to seeing who will take the opportunity to step up next and lead this great country. I was very surprised to Donald Trump even making a move for presidency.
proof why CPAC people are nuts...
Whatever. The Paultards are like the 4chan of politics. They will overwhelm these meaningless votes for teh lulz
Really, this is no surprise. Dr. Paul is clearly the best candidate for the citizenry. Now, just watch all the paid trolls come out and attempt to vilify him here in CNN's comments. Also, just watch the mainstream media either ignore him or vilify him as well, as they did in previous election years. Ron Paul is the people's candidate -not Washington's man, not the media's man, not big-business's man, not the elitist/globalist establishment's man. Every real American recognizes that Ron Paul's message is the American dream -nothing more, nothing less. Ron Paul is a staunch defender of individual liberties (civil rights) and therefore would truly be the greatest people's President of the United States since Andrew Jackson .
So now we are waiting for President Ron Paul.. I thought Ron Paul is the drag queen – that black guy that changed his sex to that of a girl.. or is Ron Paul his dad?
Drum roll please...now all the negative attacks to continue from all the arm chair quarterbacks and the know-it-alls who do nothing but criticizes politicians. Please run for office to know how it feels when you are treated the way you have dished it out. Got it?
Nothing to see here....move along
I like to see him get it, but he can't win against Obama. He doesn't have the pizzazz to attaract the younger vote.
hail ron paul we need more of his kind
Good luck with that Conservatives/Republicans. A total idiot (besides Palin) is leading your chances....LMAO
Could have been worse – they could have chosen Ron Paul's idiot son. Or Sarah Palin. Or Rick "The Fetus Fondler" Santorum. Or pretty much anyone else on that list.
This makes it what... twice now that CPAC has picked Ron Paul? I realize he may not be everybody's choice as the ideal candidate, but he's someone who is pro-Federalist government, pro-small government, and is one of the very few politicians (and probably one of the few in D.C. period) who actually are competent in matters of economic theory and applied economic practice. C'mon, folks, that's gotta count for *something*...
Ron Paul is the only republican I would vote for in 2012. Unlike many of the fake conservatives who ran last fall Paul is the real deal, and will do what's best for this country. He looks out for the American people instead of just the corporations, and will make the hard choices that need to be made for the country to get back on the right track. He is for limiting the government, and restoring our constitutional rights that have been trampled by politicians in recent years. And most of all he is against wars, and was one of the handful of republicans who voted AGAINST the wars in the Middle East. Ron Paul for President 2012!!!
It is really nice that Ron Paul again won the "Ugliest Republican Dog Beauty Pagent". Wll deserved.
This is funnier than all hell! They pick a Nut Job like Ron Paul, maybe he can choose his Tea-bagger son from Kentucky and then these two Racists can run on a Paul/Paul ticket? President Obama's Re-election chances brighten with each passing day!!! I knew those Tea-party Loon's were good for something in the end!!!!
I would be happy to vote Ron Paul in 2012
LOL so funny how when i looked at sarah palin's name it says former alaska government. Are you serious? It should say Former Quitter.
It's somewhat rewarding to see Mitch Daniels so far down, but, as a Hoosier, I wish even fewer people would give him undeserved credit.
Yeah, we can win all the polls he likes. The media will censor him and give him only 1% of the media coverage pie as they did in 2007 and 2008. Ron Paul should be President of the United States now. Any Republican that voted for any other candidate in 2007 should be ashamed of themselves. Ron Paul is exactly what this country needs.
ha ha ha nobody!
What a bunch of morons! No compitition! OBAMA 2012!
Ron Paul always looks great because he has such an active base. But there is now way the signal callers in the GOP will support him.
can anyone smell marshall law cooking?
Michele Bachmann should not run for President. She has publicly distorted American history. She called our current President "anti-American," but denied saying it when questioned. How can we trust her? She is dishonest. She should not be allowed in Congress. She certainly does not deserve the Presidency.
That's like being the tallest midget at the dwarf convention.
Ron Paul is the only republican that may be worth something.
Ron Paul will/would be one of the most significant Presidents of the United States ever, if it happens...
Ron Paul is the most pragmatic and sensible conservative out there. Although he is getting old, I would vote for him over any of his competition, and over the Obamabots as well. This may sound odd to some, but a joint presidential ticket of Paul and Kucinich would be more than welcome.... a mix of constitutional libertarian conservativism with progressivism... combined with smaller, less intrusive and more efficient government. The left vs right paradigm is archaic and doesnt map onto todays society... we need a combination of the best of both camps, and empower the people to get the USA back to #1.
There is yet hope – the best choice among the lot, "Others" beat out Michele Bachmann by a full percent!
Others for President!
Go Ron Paul! I'm generally a Dem but I totally dig his principled sincerity. He'd have my line-crossing vote!
Of all the speakers at this nonsense-fest, Dr. Paul is the one man with the actual comprehension and record of TRUE constitutional conservatism to fit the bill. Most of you @$$holes need to understand that conservative != "family values" BS. The good Dr. is the only person in the Republican field with the voting record and conservative cred to be trusted. The man is integrity incarnate. no corporate $$$ like the other clowns. I don't even agree with 1/3 of his beliefs, but would vote for this guy any day of the week because of his sheer conviction and tenacity. This is what we need. not an establishment puppet from either party, but a man that has established himself as an honest representative of the people, NOT corporate constituents,
look good
I think it's time for libertarians to take their place as the leading political philosophy in this country. For too long the Democrats and Republicans have encourage this "left" vs "right", "liberal" vs "conservative" crud, and people are finally realizing that there is a philosophy that takes the best of both sides. Freedom is a good thing!
Ron Paul wont be allowed to win. He will be stone walled just like he was in 2008.
OB & GYN physician running for the President.
He looks like a fetus.
The Ron Paul movement is still growing. The whole Tea Party is a result of the Ron Paul campain. Ron Paul is the only one who fully understands foreign policy, sound economics and the constitution, hopefully we all understand it as well.
Liberty for all !
Pretty interesting results, the conservative Former Gov. Huckabee in 11th place at 2% and the money only please conservative Former Half gov. Palin in 9th place at 3% and then there's the fruit cake conservative Rep. Michele Bachmann at 4%. Ron Paul the only consistent very conservative captured 1st place with 30% of the vote followed by the ever changing in the wind Former Gov. Mitt Romney at 23%. All in all the almost 4,000 CPAC conservatives did a very good job of ranking the candidates, the only surprise was the poor showing of Huckabee.
I voted for Ralph Nader in the last two elections, but I would seriously consider voting for Ron Paul if he's on the ballot. Generally speaking, the Republican and Democratic parties are a revolving door of big business and wall street. It's a duopoly. Ron Paul, however, seems to have real values, not corporate ones. He wants to audit the fed, which is a grate idea.....because it's not even a federal institutions, it just had fed in the name. He would bring our troops home from their wasteful wars so they could be in our country. Maybe then there could be real control at the southern border. He's against the fraudulent war on drugs that's given us the highest prisoner/citizen ration in the entire world. He just seems independent to me....and it would be great to see him get the Republican nomination. He's the republicans only chance at winning. Can you imagine the Ron Paul-Obama debate. THINK ABOUT IT!
dmn glancing at it i thought it said straw pull.
The wacko among the wackos.
What's new? This happens every year and then Ron Paul gets 6% in each primary . Snooki Palin was pimp slapped for not showing up. Run Snooki run!
Good, then obama should have no problem getting reelected!
Sarah Palin at 3%? Really? And do folks realize Ron's son is a hard right loon?
Ron Paul is definitely the most competent candidate against Barack Obama. Not that he has a chance, but none of the others will even come close. A debate between Obama and palin will open up a crater the size of her stupidity on the north American continent. We may be engulfed by both oceans... Although the etertainment value would certainly be eternal. I do miss snl and the palin impersonations.
It's evident why Palin didn't attend CPAC. She's irrelevant and not the darling of the conservative movement that many pundits, especially FOX News, would have us believe. She's a thin-skinned, whining juvenile who acts like a teenage girl having a hissy fit every time someone criticizes her for valid reasons. I cannot believe there people out there who think she's presidential timber. The intelligence level of her supporters is absolutely breathtaking. Obama's not as good as I had hoped he would be but he's far less dangerous to our country than she would be.
We need GOOD candidates to beat Obama. This is the best? Come on GOP! We need an ELECTABLE person. Enough of the religous nuts and uber consevatives already. We need someone that is very financially conservative, moderate socially. Leave govt out of our lives. Period.
How about John Stossel?
Please, by all means; nominate this sputtering old geezer. Obama would annihilate him with ease.
A question for the staff of CNN. Since Sarah trademarked her named, shouldn't her entry be "Former Alaska Governor Sarah Pallin TM"
Well, nice to see Republicans are getting their heads on straight. Ron Paul should've been picked the last time. We all know he would've won had he been nominated in 2008. If he runs this time, he should pick Gary Johnson. Those two would make sure we had little to no taxes and be left alone to live our lives as we please.
Once agin CPAC has chosen the only person committed to restoring the county's freedom and liberty! The special interests groups, Wall Street and the global Corporate interests can not own this man. Even the Republican party and The Federal Reserve bank can not control this man. Ron Paul stands for the people's liberty only.
Lord at least Palin is way down there, But still noone worth replacing Obam. Hope he is reelected.!!!!
This is the only Republican who wants to get out of Iraq. He is truly a fiscal conservative with some scary ideas for cuts...but at least he is more willing to cut the military than Obama...this may be the first time I will vote for a Republican...EXCEPT...his son sickens me and the thought of that sociopath near the White House, even as a visitor, really makes my skin crawl...
that doesn't surprise me much. Although at CPAC. as divisive as some of these people are.. maybe slightly.
Ron isn't. He'd give Obama a hard time because I'd almost be tempted to vote for him. Only Republican I ever would vote for. When Libertarian meant more middle of the road. He's the old style. Not the extreme right wing Liberatarians
No I don't agree with everything he does. But then again I don't agree with everything Obama does. He was voted in to be someone who would reach across the isle. Problem is. There's no hands there anymore. THe people he would have worked for were either fired or switched sides.
Finally!! Conservative names we can actually consider. The Republican party (i.e.- the majority of conservatives in our country) has gone so far off the rails that I, who have been a life-long conservative, am no longer able to vote "conservative" if this means embracing such individuals as Sarah Palin or Michelle Bachmann. This poll gives me hope I can return to the fold.
Good to hear that the economy and jobs is NOT the most important issue for Republicans. They want smaller Government over job creation, and it is clear that the "Party First People Last" mentality is alive and well in the Republican party and they have no idea on economic issues. They still think starting wars is the answer to foreign poilcy and diplomacy like Obamas is wrong. How can anyone want to move the country back so far by supporting a party that finish destroying the country ?
The only thing they got right was Ron Paul is the only candidate that can be taken seriously and the only Republican that actually has some ideas and can fully function with the english language. Ron Paul is one of a few that does not make a living from lying about Obama
Well isn't that special...I'm sure that the Dems are dancing in the aisles. Who could be better to run against in 2012 than the guy who suggested that there shouldn't have been civil rights legislation?
winning the cpac strawpoll is the kiss of death, google history and see.
Dr. Paul is our only hope......
Perhaps this go around Americans will see this and vote accordingly next year
Maybe – just maybe – nitwits like Palin and Bachmann will get a message form this and slink back under their rocks, never to be heard from again.
Ah well, I can dream, can't I?
And he'll be ignored again by the GOP in the primaries. Ain't that a peach?
Ron Paul, Really? When this guy speaks I cringe. Sounds silly with misleading "facts". If this is their best I would hate to see their worst.
What a bunch of disfunctional idiots. The GOP: Party of Donald Trump, Michelle Backman, and Sarah Palin. And the winner is: Ron Paul. I cannot believe how many stupid people there are in this country.
This poll shows you how unrepresentative Conservatives are of the American population as a whole. Libertarians hover around the 5% level in polls, but 30% of the CPAC voted for the Peter Pan Economic Philosophy called Libertarianism. Crazy.
We are spending over $40 B on Middle East this year. Just say NO to republicans.
Ron Paul...isn't he the Representative that keeps asking Congress to allow the Federal Reserve/Central Banks located in the USA to be audited, for the first time, ever?
Thats nice but, didn't he win this poll in 2008 as well? I have no use for Donald Trump but, I think that he is right about Ron Paul. From this list, the GOP/ tea party have no one and no platform.
The ones we want never get invited to the debate
Well even these guys see Sarah isn't up to the job.
I would like to see Ron run.
both he and his son are nutcases- crazy as heck.
Well then, thats as solid as they can make it. A good slate. BUT still a question mark. The reputation of being for the rich is
gonna be hard for the Republicans to live down and one that sticks harder and harder as the years go by. Another thing
that weighs heavy is wanting to repeal Obamacare without setting forth a replacement- more and more to be a milestone around Repub necks because it identifies them with the Health Industry and NOT the public-at-large.
the votes are a fraud!!!!! according to beck, hannity, and pigbaugh, palin and bachman are the front runners for the gop. wonder who they are gonna pick to run with this time, ( since the people) , i love that saying, made their choice.
Why does Mitt Romney always do fairly well in these polls? He comes off to me with the vibe of a used car salesman. If Ron Paul is #1, then why is Gary Johnson #3? They are similar, and should be positioned right after each other. Considering most of these "Tea Party Candidates" are in favor of preemptive war and the patriot act, I guess I shouldn't be surprised how Paul (liberty minded) and Romney (a neocon) took top 2, because Republicans don't know what the heck they want. I really hope, in his last term, Paul goes full "big L" Libertarian. It would do wonders for the liberty movement.
LOL Only Romney has a snowball's chance in hell of getting elected, and he's a long shot. The rest of these right-wing hacks should shut up and let someone with some workable ideas present them before the electorate. Bachmann, Gingrich, Pawlenty and the rest are just noise.
I do believe Ron Paul would be the best for this country and for the people.He's a strong christian and if you go back and see what the founding fathers said you would see they said we should elect christians to lead this country and that is what Ron Paul is.
Thank you
so Bolton thinks the president is wrong? well you old nut job you are wrong our president did the right thing by waiting to see what the people of Egypt. so some one should let you know you are a discustion old poop head . and you should have never been representing our country . you need to go away along with te rest of the republican terd heads america has opened their eyes and now sees the liars for who they are . we might revolt against john boehner and his croonies . what is happing in Egypt can happen here . against the republican establishment . I like most of america support President Obama
Paul and Romney?
The GOP would NEVER let Paul get anywhere near The Fed, or the White House
And Romney couldn't beat McCain, so.........
This is like picking Moe or Larry!
BD
He isn't what people are trying to make him out to be. He's another politician and lawyer in Washington. I listen, he says a provocative one liner, than escapes out with really no 'will' to say or do what needs to be done about it. I think he is using us and is a cop-out lawyer like too many taking opportunity with the media.
Love all the libtard comments here. If voted for the narcassist A-hole that runs their village like the idiot that he is. I would keep my mouth shut.
I voted for obama last election but I would definitely vote for ron paul if he were head of the republican ticket
This is all they got, beating down and making jokes of a sitting president instead of figuring out how to solve problems.
Looking a that list I have to say what a gift for the Democrats! Any of them would get all of the Republican votes anyway so big deal there. YOu could run a duck as the Republican nominee and the Republicans would voye for it simply because it is not Obama, a man most of them hate funadmentally because he is black, although they won't admit it.
Mostly cartoon characters at that event. Astonishing that some were actually suggesting that Obama was weak because he didn't send US troups to Egypt to break up the crowd and protect Mubarak! Imagine what would have happened if he did that.
These people are really a strange lot.
Ron Paul is a decent libertarian, the rest of the republican party are corporate sold out fascist racists.
You lefties are actually proud of the increase in the size of the FedGov? Proud of socialist agendas? Proud of our president and the far left dems ignoring the US Constitution? Proud of an arrogant president who absolutely hasnt got a clue what he is doing? Either your white guilt has gotten to you or you are very happy with the increase in handouts...the next president should be a guy like Herman Cain, but he isnt even mentioned and he should be...
I'm with the 43% – there needs to be a better field of choices.
Given that list, now I understand why some folks think Palin is so aw-shucks awesome lol.
Anybody but Obama in 2012 ... he is ruining America
Just look for the Ron Paul was right video on youtube. He'll win you over.
I'm a dem. but would vote ron paul if he makes it that far
Now begins the media and status quo politician's campaign to discredit Ron Paul and his supporters. The establishment does not want his anti-war, anti-global meddling, anti-overspending, anti-big government, anti-intrusive, anti-corporatism, pro-citizen, pro-freedom, pro-democracy type policies.
We need Ron Paul in 2012. The fact that everyone on the top of the good old boy network hates him, should be a sign as to who he really fights for.
He gets the crowd all charged up with pie-in-the-sky ideas, but aren't practical and can't be implemented. If the Republicans nominated Paul to run in 2012 it would guarantee a loss to the Democrats. Trump is absolutely correct that Paul is unelectable, but he stopped short The Donald is unelectable too.
To all the Tea Party haters who think the tea party can't produce, have you already forgotten the past mid term elections???? There is a revolution coming!!! PAUL FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!
Ron Paul would only get my vote if he ran as an independent.
If we can trim down his kinda crazy perhaps the resulting middle ground could be quite exciting. O best watch out.
Folks who are worried about Devil amongst us, do you really think they wear "I'm Devil" badges? No, they will talk about God (ie talk your language) and proceed to influence you to get your generations suffer – convincing you that there is no climate change, that flu vaccines are bad, wage wars to kill your progeny, tell you that tax cut for rich is fair, and trash your economy. CPAC, friends, is Devil's meeting, and perhaps you have fallen for them.
I love how the liberal hate mongers just open their sewage pipes at articles like this. The more you hate, the more it empowers the normal people in this country to wake up and see what a sham progressivism has been. Desperation is a stinky perfume.
I cant believe there are people who think Sarah Palin, would be elected by a majority of people in this country! LOL!! So there are others as stupid as she is!
Ron Paul has been warning that our monetary policy is unsustainable and would lead to a currency crisis – since 1971; events now prove him right. He has been warning that our reckless militaristic foreign policy was harmful to our interests – events in Egypt prove him right. Americans on the right and the left should do themselves a favor and do their own research on Ron Paul. Don't listen to the mainstream media which tends to belittle and smear him, because he opposes their corporate interests. He would make a fine president.
It comes down to the unemployment rate and jobs in 2012 folks...that's it, not the candidates. IF the economy is good: Obama, if not: Republican. Ron Paul would make a great President. A lot of his "radical" ideas are brilliant. ROn Paul 2012
I can not believe we are going to talk about this already, please let us enjoy DECENCY iN THE WHITE HOUSE, we had 8 years of complete and total out and out evil in there, at least we have a decent human being in White house for a change.
I support Ron Paul 100%.
I always said I would never vote for Mitt Romney or any other candidate with extreme religious views.
But the truth is, today I would vote for anyone who were able to kick the Liberals out in the cold.
We've already seen what they had to offer under Obama: nothing but increased spending and moral decay.
Even Palin is better than Democrat leadership.
Ron Paul is the only best in all. I bet if you listen him you gonna change your views about him.
RON PAUL for 2012