Ron Paul Wins CPAC Straw Poll
Texas Congressman Ron Paul won the CPAC presidential straw poll this afternoon gaining 30% of the vote, with former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney coming in second with 23%.
Other candidates in the straw poll lagged far behind - former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin got only 3% of the vote.
The results for the other candidates:
Former NM Gov. Gary Johnson: 6%
NJ Gov. Chris Christie: 6%
Former Speaker Newt Gingrich: 5%
Former MN Governor Tim Pawlenty: 4%
MN Congresswoman Michele Bachmann: 4%
IN Governor Mitch Daniels: 4%
Former AK Governor Sarah Palin: 3%
Herman Cain: 2%
Former AR Governor Mike Huckabee: 2%
Former PA Sen. Rick Santorum: 2%
SD Senator John Thune: 2%
Former UT Gov. Jon Huntsman: 1%
MS Gov. Haley Barbour: 1%
Other: 5%
Ron Paul's victory was expected - perhaps the most united group of attendees at the conference were young libertarians. 49% of respondents were between the ages of 18 and 25, and Paul's Campaign for Liberty had reportedly bought 1,000 tickets for the conference.
Fiscal conservatism was the defining core belief of the vast majority of respondents. 84% said that their most important goal is to promote individual freedom and reduce the size and scope of government. Only 9% thought the most important goal was to promote traditional values. And even fewer identified as hawks - with just 6% saying that their most important goal is to secure and guarantee American safety at home and abroad, "regardless of the cost".
Despite the overwhelming self-identification with fiscal conservatism, many respondents were pessimistic about whether Republicans in Congress would be able to fulfill some of their goals. 40% believed that the GOP would not be able to repeal Obamacare, compared to 36% of those who thought the GOP would. 40% didn't think that the GOP would pay down the debt, while 31% did.
There were some optimistic responses on other policy issues, however. 51% thought the GOP would rein in spending, and 50% thought they would reduce government regulations. 47% - a plurality - thought Republicans in Congress would cut federal taxes.
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