Values voters look at 2012 GOP crop

It's way early yet, but a gathering of Christian conservative activists in Washington starting today will give another read on the field of Republican presidential hopefuls for 2012.

The Values Voter Summit will hold a straw poll that includes former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Texas Representative Ron Paul, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Indiana Representative Mike Pence, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum.

Pence, Huckabee, and Pawlenty are to speak to the conference today, while Romney is scheduled to deliver remarks on Saturday. The straw poll results are to be announced Saturday.

"The 2012 presidential primaries may be several years away but many value voters are already surveying the field of possible candidates," Tony Perkins, president of summit sponsor Family Research Council Action, said in a statement. "This straw poll is an early test for possible presidential contenders who have shown leadership on the
major issues facing our country."

Romney narrowly won over Huckabee in the straw poll at the 2007 summit -- helping to launch their 2008 campaigns that eventually fell short -- but questions were raised about the results because anyone could vote online by donating $1.

Romney, however, did not use the 2007 event to give his big speech about his Mormon faith. Romney was also the headliner last year.

UPDATE: In an interview on CNN this afternoon, Romney blasted Obama's decision to scrap an antiballistic missile defense shield based in Eastern Europe and instead deploy a system targeted at shorter range missiles from Iran.

Romney said the decision harmed US allies in Poland and the Czech Republic, who had agreed to host the missile system -- "kicking sand in their faces," jeopardizes US security and that of it allies, and sends a dangerous message to Russia.

"It tells Vladimir Putin that if you bellow loud enough, America will back down," he said.