Romney tries for three in a row in presidential straw poll
When Mitt Romney returns to a favorite forum on Saturday, will he be able to make it three in a row?
The former Massachusetts governor has won the closely-watched presidential straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference in the past two years.
He even prevailed last February when he used the conference to announce he was quitting the GOP nomination race, making Senator John McCain the presumptive nominee. Romney drew 35 percent to 34 percent for McCain.
In a rousing speech, Romney hit all the hot buttons for conservatives, telling the conference he was ending his campaign so the party could unite. "In this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror," he said.
In the formative stages of the presidential race, Romney won the 2007 straw poll with 21 percent, with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani finishing second with 17 percent.
This year, the winner will be anointed the very early front-runner for 2012. The ballot includes besides Romney and Giuliani, Florida Governor Charlie Crist, former House speaker Newt Gingrich, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Texas Representative Ron Paul, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, and South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford. There's also “Undecided” and a space on the ballot for write-ins.
Huckabee and Paul also ran last year, while Palin was McCain's running mate and Crist, Jindal, and Pawlenty were believed to be on McCain's short list for vice president.
Comment
Permalink
EmailThis blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
About Political Intelligence
News from the Washington Bureau
Run Mitt Run!!
Romney is an empty suite
Run Mitt Run 2012! America and all of her people need you more than ever. President Lincoln ran many times before victory was secured. He then proceeded to be the best President the country has ever had. RUN MITT RUN!
We need to see Governor Sarah Palin as President, especially now! Run Sarah, Run!!!!!!!
Sarah Palin, baby! 2012
Ron Paul was the only one listed who was trying to warn us all that this economic crisis was bearing down on us. He is hands-down the best conservative in Washington. Then, and still today.
Sarah Palin goes the distance!!!
Ron Paul has been the most articulate of the defenders of the free market, against the socialist stimulus. He also is the only candidate that predicted the current economic crisis. While Mitt and Rudy were saying the sky's the limit, Paul said things were looking bad. He proved to be correct. Plus most of the McCain supporters will be dead by 2012, Paul's supporters are younger, and more energetic. He should lead the party
We need a new face and ideas, Rommney, huckabee, mccain. If they were strong they would of won before. I would like to see Gingrich and palin. Jndal sounded like Mr. Rogers. Gingrich has been around and knows what the DC elite are like and Palin is the maverick needed, this woman has bigger cahunas then any man I have ever seen. She's tacken more hits then I have ever seen and you can't keep her down.
What a misnomer CPAC is for such a transparent leftist as Romney to be able to win their straw polls and such equally pro-big-government candidates as Giuliani and McCain to come in at second place both those times. If those are the types CPAC attendees favor, why even bother limiting their choices to Republicans? They might as well just vote for Joe Liberman or Obama for that matter.
Run Huckabee Run!!! You're the solution to a LOT of our problems!!!
Huckabee 2012!!
www.paulosibaja.wordpress.com
Governor Sarah Palin is the only one for me.
Sarah Palin !!!!
Ah now Romney is the "face of the party" of the day. Tuesday it was Jindel, Wednesday it was Cantor, today it's Romney. A month ago it was Palin. No wonder people voted the party out. After Bush they're afraid to pick someone.
Romney is a corporation disguised as a person. His conglomerate is one of the largest in health care - yes, that expense which is breaking the entire economy. Electing him will guarantee that we pay over 10,000 per person per year in Health Care Costs to HIS companies.....the cost just passed 8K per person, about DOUBLE what the other civilized counties pay...and for INFERIOR service.
Beside that, anyone who really believe in holy underwear and multiple teenage wives is not likely to get elected in American politics. Thank Goodness.
There is really only one person on this list that is worth looking at and that would be Gov. Crist.
two years ago i would have Favored Newt, but after the last year of him turning to the left and saying that Conservatism is dead, I don't want him. Palin was probably hurt to much by being associated with McCain, Huckabee, Romney and Guliani are too Centrist to be worth considering. Palewnty, Jindall are both worth looking at, but who i'd really like to see is Gen David Petraeus, a conseravtive that has been around the block and knows the Milliatry, we need someone like him in these times.
Ron Paul for 2010, WHY WAIT?!, Obama has already proved he's a loser. We might want to posthumously elect Lysander Spooner as vice president as well.
Paul, nuff said
I like Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee. Mike Huckabee was the only one to talk about how the food we eat is one of the root causes of the health care crisis while Ron Paul is actually an organic farmer. Ron Paul of course is very correct on the economy as has become evident by current events. I believe Ron Paul is the only republican in the hunt that is correct for the most part on foreign policy. Paul is certainly right on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict taking an equitable stand on the issue. Paul is also the guy that does not sell his vote for money.
Palin is the only conservative who can get tens of thousands of people to stand in line in the rain. She is the only one capable of raising the money needed to take on 0bama, and she is the only one who would have hundreds of thousands of volunteers signing up to get out the vote.
Palin 2012
Republicans.....you will loose in 2012 with Mitt, Sarah, or any of the same old Republican BS. Why is the Republican Party so resistant to TRUE conservatism. Huckabee gets sorta close...but I still think he is still controlled by the same people that want us to stay in Iraq - forever..... The military industrial complex and politicians....the only people making money in a bad economy....makes you think huh...or maybe you are all just brain dead.
We need a Ron Paul style Republican in 2012 or the sinking Republican ship will continue to sink with capitalism and free markets on board for the doomed voyage.....
Now that the economic collapse that Ron Paul predicted would happen is actually happening, Ron Paul has a lot of credibility. If Ron Paul decides to run for President in 2012, he will give all the other wannabee conservatives a run for their money
Dr. Paul has been right about our entire situation, we would be fools not to elect him. These other bozos are clueless.
Ron Paul is the only true conservative in the bunch. Paul 2012.
It's ironic how most people still seem to think Romney is the economic genius we need. Where was he in the campaign calling out the housing bubble? Or that we were borrowing and living beyond our means? The only candidate who upon reflection told the truth was Ron Paul. Unfortunately, most conservatives are too stubborn and probably won't move towards him and support him, though the history has proven him correct. It just shows the sad state the Republican party is in these days. It's why I also very recently left the Republican party and become an independent.
If there is any conservative in that CPAC who has the knowledge and the will to bring change to this country and get us out of this financial mess he was warning us about for the last 30 years, that is Ron Paul.
Palin, a joke
Romney, a joke
Mcsame, a joke
Jindal, another joke
...
you get the picture
This is a Democrat's dream. If you really think that any of these tired candidates could ever defeat President Obama, you are truly deluding yourselves, and once again lose seats in the next two elections.
Run Mitt Run!!!!
Imagine having a guy running who can say things like, " Not only do I know how to get us out of this economic mess, I'M THE ONE WHO SAID THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FIRST PLACE!" These are going to be strong words in 2012 when Democrats are going to be very unpopular and our economy will be in shambles at best. Ron Paul is what a TRUE CONSERVATIVE is. He's voted with the thoughts of a smaller govt and bigger constitution every time. THINK GOP.
Dr. Paul is heads and shoulders above any other option out there including mitt romney when it comes to understanding/upholding the constitution in the tradition of the founding fathers. The LDS have a strong history of past leaders speaking very clearly how the people of this country should fight for the constitution in the tradition of the founders yet mitt just doesn't get it.
Romney, Giuliani, Gingrich, Huckabee, Jindal, Palin... all more of the same. The only 2 in that list who are telling the truth about our crisis and could actually change things and make a positive difference are Ron Paul and Mark Sanford. After the last election, I think it's pretty obvious America doesn't want more of the same (although they also seem to be confused on what real change is)! Especially more neo-conservatism and more war. If you want more war, you can be happy with Obama. He's continuing that quite effectively...
I can't wait to cast my vote for Mitt Romney in 2012!!
I don't know who is more ridiculous - the Ron Paul nutcakes or the Princess Sarah droolers. (Yes, that means you Rush.)
You want to lose again? I don't.
We NEED Jindal or Romney, Duh.
I'd like to see Romney/Paul 2012
Ron Paul 2012. Anyone who has spent time driving far distances in this country knows that there is more grassroots support for Dr. Paul than all the other potential candidates combined. Signs of support for Ron Paul are everywhere, while there are barely any signs at all for the others. When people are willing to put a sign for you in front of their home it really tells something special. The GOP would be foolish to attempt rallying behind any other candidate.
Barracuda '12 of course!!!
I'll be rooting for Romney. He is the one with the intellect and experience to get us out of this crisis that Obama's inexperience is suddenly making much worse.
My ballot would read like this:
Romney
Gingrich
Sanford
Pawlenty
Crist
Jindal
Paul
Huckabee
Palin
The only true conservative Republican is Ron Paul. He ws trying to tell you all the economy was bad and you all sneered at him. Listen to him this time.
There is really only 1 truly Republican running -
Ron Paul
All the others are just RINOs
Ron Paul was right about the impending economic catastrophe, and he told us exactly why it would happen. McCain, Giuliani, and the other performing monkeys laughed and smirked. Ron Paul was right about the GOP getting trampled at the polls if they nominated one of their front-line empty suits. The debate "moderator" asked Ron Paul if he had any "electability." Ron Paul was right again.
I predict no change. The GOP will continue to self-destruct. it will present a lineup of well-connected, rich demagogues, with a few functional illiterates like Palin and Huckabee thrown into the mix. In the new United Socialist States of America, it's every man for himself now. Got gold?
Ron Paul for Liberty
Ron Paul is the only honest politician in Washington!
rEVOLution
Ron Paul is the only choice if conservatives desire to maintain any relevance. He has been practicing conservative principles while all the others have been conservative in name only.
The only real GOP person to win against Obama in 2012 will be Sarah. She has that X factor to her, like Obama and Hillary (even though it didn't work in her favor this time). When Sarah works into a room / rally all eyes are on her...she has a HUGE following and i'm sure that following will be around in 2012....with the right VP pick, she will win.....in 4years we are going to have another lot of younger voters again, and i'm sure they will see Sarah Palin as a strong woman is right for the job. America will need Palin in 2012. I'm all for Palin/Perry in 2012
Who is the ONLY Presidential Candidate [2008] that voted AGAINST all things UN-Constitutional, including the massive pay-outs er... um... bail-outs?
Why Congressman Ron Paul of course.
Huckabee seems to be the most vocal Republican in dissenting with Obama's policies and the most articulate in laying out the reasons why he disagrees. The Huck could hang with Barry in a debate. Huckabee 2012!
Mr. Romney is a really good gentlemen and he should have been on the top of the ticket and would have handled this economic 'manufactured crisis'' with class.
We wouldn't be in this mess. Although he came to full social and fiscal conservatism recently, I believe he'll serve this country well. I could support Mitt.
Mr. Huckabee is not a conservative. This was already discussed when Mitt Romney challeged him on the taxes he raised and also he wanted to do something with iillegal immigrants children getting funds. He wants the lime light too bad. I think he should stay on his show. He also has shown a nasty side when he continued to stay in the race to bump Romney out and continue to mak snide remaks about Romney's wealth. This sounded like a liberal. He has also made snide remarks about Governor Palin. His character is in question and may not be able to hold up under the liberal pressure because he wants to liked too badly. Can't support at all.
Governor Tim Pawlenty is known to be a moderate and we just learned what that will do - lose.
Governor Crist is also known to be a moderate and undercut Mitt Romney during the primaries. Can't trust him either.
Newt Gringrich is a planner and has already gotten in bed with the liberals on global warming that is proving to be the biggest hoax. He should have known better.
Governor Jindal is clearly a sound conservative. He would make a good choice.
I would support him.
Then, there's Governor Palin . Look for yourself on the accomplishments she is achieving even in the midst of the critics going wild. She can be trusted to keep her campaign promises. She has courage to make the tough decisions. She is principled and governs by the state constitution. She can weather this media storm. She is also willing to call people out when they are dishonest too.Governor Palin is the choice without doubt. I'll support and work sooo hard on her behalf and give money too!!!!!!
WOW, isn’t that PALIN a GREAT LADY!!!!!
Elect Palin - Rumsfeld 2012!!
Too early to say for 2012---the top runners for now are:
Sarah Palin
Mitt Romney
Others in the wings----all who ran in 2008 plus the rising stars in Congress and Governors.
Ron Paul is the only candidate who wants to end the federal reserve and give the power back to the people. If you don't oppose the federal reserve then you are no better than Obama.
Mitt Romney is the only one who can lay out a compelling conservative vision to revive the economy. No one else has any credibility. No one else has actually worked in the private sector, competed around the world and created jobs. I hope he runs for president in 2012.
The front runner for 2012 is Ron Paul who has stood for limited government and liberty throughout his career. He's the only candidate with a sound fiscal and monetary policy to deal with the current economic crisis..
I don't know how anyone can support Romney who imposed a health care mandate on Massachusetts that contributed to the state's current budget mess. He's a statist who doesn't believe in free markets.
RON PAUL 2012!!!!!!!
No mainstream Republican stands a chance - and for good reason. If the GOP brand is not destroyed, the current product line certainly is - destroyed by incompetence, moral and philosophical bankruptcy, and broken promises. The GOP needs to return to true conservatism - small government and non-intervention in foreign countries and domestic markets. Adopt the platform of 2000, but this time do not renege on it. Liars need not apply. If the standard-bearer is not to be Ron Paul, then let it be some other real conservative who is not well-known - yet.
The only conservative that ran in 2008 was Ron Paul. The Republicans will admit their mistake and nominate him next time, or lose again. As much as I dislike Obama, I'm glad the neo-cons lost. It's time to clean house in the party.
Run Ron Run!
Ron Paul 2012