Herman Cain wins Tea Party presidential live straw poll at Phoenix summit
Phoenix (CNN) - Which Republican should become the next president? Herman Cain, according to a number of Tea Party activists gathered at a weekend summit in Phoenix.
Cain, a conservative talk show host and former Godfather's Pizza chief executive, won the American Policy Summit's presidential live straw poll on Sunday.
Republican Rep. Ron Paul of Texas won the summit's online poll.
The survey is a chance for conservative activists gathered on the last day of the Tea Party Patriots conference to name their favorite presidential picks.
Cain won nearly 22 percent of the nearly 1,600 votes cast. Paul won nearly half the votes cast by more than 2,300 online registered attendees.
"The mood at this summit shows that Tea Party activists are looking for leaders who share our principles of fiscal responsibility and limited government and who will vow to uphold policies that reflect those principles once in office," said Jenny Beth Martin, national coordinator of Tea Party Patriots.
"Mr. Cain and Rep. Paul's positions resonated with Tea Party Patriots this weekend and the straw poll indicates the enthusiasm for these strong conservatives," said Mark Meckler, the Patriots' other national coordinator.
Following Cain in the live voting were: former Minnesota Republican governor Tim Pawlenty, with nearly 16 percent of the votes; Paul, with just over 15 percent; former Alaska Republican governor Sarah Palin, with just over 10 percent; former Massachusetts Republican governor Mitt Romney, with nearly 6.5 percent, and Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann, with just over 5.6 percent.
Cain, Paul and Pawlenty's wins were likely helped by their speaking appearances at the event. Cain addressed the activists on Friday evening. Paul and Pawlenty spoke on Saturday.
None of the other potential 2012 presidential candidates showed up, citing prior commitments to summit organizers.
The problem with much of the GOPs thinking is that you can run a government like a business. These are two different animals and cannot be treated alike. How many of you get to vote on who your boss is at work? Sure, there are "some" business practices that can be applied to avoid waste, but as a whole, you can't run a country, state or city like a business. It's because you have to consider the needs of ALL THE PEOPLE. You can't fire the ones that don't agree with you.
Example, look at the mess Scott is creating in Florida, not to mention the selling out going on it Wisconsin. These guys are backed by those wonderful Koch brothers. They can't bring back serfdom fast enough.
Well this is the last time I participate in these Tea Party Straw Polls. It seemed to just be based on the votes at the convention? This Herman Cain might be a good guy.. I don't know. Never heard of him. But Ron Paul had over 50% of the online votes and apparently that doesn't count when I paid $10 bucks believing that my vote would count?
Apparently only the votes of those who attend count. So basically it depends on what part of the nation your in and if your supporters are dedicated enough to drive to all of these things. That's fine I guess but it's rather deceptive and seems to have little bearing on the actual 2012 election. Then again I'm new to the political scene and haven't bothered until this year, so maybe others can fill me in.
From the statistics gathered it appears Paul is still the clear Presidential GOP favorite but it may be just because he has really dedicated and informed followers. Get the feeling that most of the Nation will still vote for who they see on Television which will piss me off. Hope I am wrong though. I'm hoping that poll they had about Obama 41% and Paul 40% for President was accurate but we won't till the election primaries sadly.
I wonder if the tea party thinks we are laughing with them and not at them?
It has been "bad news" for Palin since 2008. Some people just won't admit it though.
The Tea Party thinks that Cain "a conservative talk show host" and pizza company CEO is a viable candidate for president. LOL
The tea party continues to marginalize it self... and happened to Palin? 10 % ??? The republican party gave her 15 minutes of fame for a gimmick ticket with McCain. Looks like those 15 minutes are just about up.
Pizza making does not qualify as foreign experience.