Ron Paul and Herman Cain lead the pack in Tea Party Patriots straw poll

U.S. Congressman Ron Paul, R-Texas, speaks during the Tea Party Patriots American Policy Summit at the Phoenix Convention Center on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, in Phoenix.

/ David Wallace,AP Photo/The Arizona Republic

Updated: 10:27am ET

Texas Rep. Ron Paul and former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain led a presidential straw poll among Tea Party members released on Sunday, with former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin trailing in third place.

In the poll, which surveyed about 1,600 members of the Tea Party Patriots group at a convention in Phoenix, Paul led with 581 votes as the preferred Republican candidate to run against President Obama in the 2012 presidential election. (Paul, a libertarian favorite, also won a presidential straw poll at February's Conservative Political Action Conference.)

Cain, a Georgia businessman and conservative columnist, followed with 256 votes.

Sarah Palin came in third with 149 votes, and former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, who is also considering a presidential bid, followed with 143 votes.

The poll was conducted over the weekend at the Tea Party Patriots' policy summit in Phoenix, which drew a crowd of more than 2,000 activists. Paul, Cain and Pawlenty all spoke at the event, but Palin did not attend.

If Palin mounts a presidential bid, many expect her to draw on the support of Tea Party members and groups. But the former Alaska governor has not yet announced a decision about whether or not she will jump into the 2012 presidential race, and a recent poll by the Des Moines Register shows a possible downturn in her popularity with likely Republican voters in Iowa - a key demographic for any contender.

According to the poll, Palin's popularity has generally ebbed over the course of the last 15 months - and while 65 percent of Iowa's likely GOP voters still view her positively (a drop from 71 percent in 2009), the intensity of their support has waned. In 2009, 27 percent of likely GOP voters in Iowa polled said they viewed Palin very favorably; in the recent survey, 18 percent said the same.

[K4t3]

by jimbom121 February 28, 2011 11:55 AM EST
Actually I do:

-Anti-abortion even in the case of rape & incest, or in case of the health of the mother and or baby
-Anti-stem cell research
-Wants to remove the Income tax
-Remove gov't oversight of industry
-Go back to gold standard
-Would not let shareholders vote on executive comp
-Opposes hate crime laws
-School prayer
-Abolish dept of education


I do agree with him on the Iraq War & oil Subsidies. But that is about it.
------------------------------------------------------------

And I agree with Ron Paul on every issue you mentioned Jimbo.

Anti abortion - there is no respect for life any more and in 2014 you will see where this right to life issue is going. If you're middle aged and in poor mental or physical health and 65+ too bad for you, all you will get is "end of life counseling."

Anti stem cell research - I can see both side of this issue, this research could save many lives but there is no respect for life unless you are considered elite or worthy. Additionally in the wrong hands this is a technology that could be manipulated for EVIL. - if you're middle aged and in poor mental or physical health and 65+ too bad for you, all you will get is "end of life counseling."

Removal of income tax - There are numerous taxes on everyday items that once government is only spending on necessities (cut foreign aid, stop wars, shut military bases overseas) you would see more in your paycheck.

Gov oversight - (I prefer meddling) has caused most of our "JOB" problems, tax incentives to outsource overseas, redistribution of tax dollars to banksters. Gov oversight brought us the laws that state banks need to lend to people that can't afford a mortgage (Jimmy Carter days) and look at all of the new credit card fees since gov over sight. Gov. help tends to make situations worse if you haven't noticed.

Gold standard - if gold were BAD China wouldn't be trying to grab all it can AND if the dollar were pegged to gold right now the dollar would not be worth $0.04 it would be worth $1.00+

Shareholder votes for execs. - When your dividends depend on the exec. why wouldn't you give the exec a raise because it means more money for you. Flat out corrupt system.

Hate crime laws - why do we need them? we already have laws against violence right? hate crime laws give "special" rights to some, are we not equal in the eyes of the law?

School prayer - We have FREEDOM of RELIGION, we should be free to pray or not it's up to the individual.

Abolish Dept of ED. - You're darn right, these kids are being dumbed down, being taught to think and do the SAME (adequate performance is GREAT), what happen to thinking outside the box? I know you don't have to say, it's all about conformity.

You missed a big point - end the FED- no more manipulation of the currency, the free market will determine the money supply.


We've been trying the Statist agenda for 100 years, It's about time we try something else and I don't believe Ron Paul's ideas are moving us backwards, I believe they are bringing back our Constitutional Rights, our freedom, our liberty, self-respect and all avenues of corruption taken away. Now that's a country I want my daughter to grow-up in.

RON PAUL 2012 - remember to donate often, $10 a month can restore the USA.

[3rdPartyPatriot]

I watched most of the Virtual Summit, and what I noticed is that there are many "Grassroots" organizations that delivered inspirational speeches pertaining to their powerful ideas to regain liberty and constitutional government. What great information that was made available for activists.
On the other hand, I noticed that the Republican Party has fully enveloped control of this movements presentation. No matter what the issue, idea, or solution, it was about the Republican Party.
When Dick "The Dick" Morris spoke about who was electable as president, he failed to mention Ron Paul, and for very good reason. Ron Paul is a threat to their (republican) agenda. The party will not back Ron Paul for that reason. Cain, on the other hand, is promoted because of his "Political Ties".
The on-line poll that I participated in, puts Ron Paul way ahead of the rest of the pack. The static poll puts Cain (a former Federal Reserve Chairman) ahead by a few points. Do you think that the Federal Reserve could afford to pack the crowd at $125 per person? I believe that the $10 on-line participation is by far the best representation of candidate approval.
Although Cain's speech was inspiring, and he (Cain) the better speaker (leaning toward preacher), Paul's speech content was by far most directional, sticking to facts and issues, and not playing on emotion, but common sense.
The Republican Party will attach it self to any grassroots idea or movement, represent it self in that light, and in the end, give us the same old bunk. Although it is our best bet in taking back our republic, we must beware, hold them accountable, and continue to strive for grassroots representation. If Ron Paul is unelectable, I dare them to prove it on a fair playfield. They will fail.
My overall observation, is that the Republican Party has enveloped the TEA Party movement for political posture. The activists and participants of this summit have excellent ideas and strategies to regain constitutional freedom. The grassroots effort to find sensible solutions is being co-opted. The Republican Party is using that momentum to consolidate political power. I think that the TEA Party needs to produce a third party candidate to be most effective. We may see that in the future, but not before the Republican Party has it's way with them. It's a shame.
As for the name calling, misinformed trolls/users here, it's time to wake up, grow up, and grow a pair. It's not about left vs. right anymore. It's about choosing tyranny or freedom, and making that choice for our descendants. America's on fire, and you're fanning the flames. Mainstream media has led you down a very crooked path. CBS News, or See B S News. It's all about perception.

[thrashertm2]

Thanks for the fair coverage cbs. Other media is reporting Herman Cain the winner even though Ron Paul receivved the most votes. WaPo smeared him further by using an unflattering pic.

[jimbom121]

Poor Tim Pawlenty just can't seem to generate any interest. He's becoming more a chameleon than Romney.

[UPofMichigan]

Lots of negative comments here. Not trying to defend the Tea Party but you people obviously don't understand Liberty. It's unfortunate that Ron Paul gets tied to such false impressions.

[Syphalis]

How, exactly are you tying anything related to facts?

This is what I really don't understand... Like him or not, can you really argue that Dr. Ron Paul is honest and speaking truth-to-power? I mean seriously? This guy has held almost the same positions since he started his political career. He can back up every position he takes with logical reasoning and the Constitution! He is about making you free.

Oh, and Marine Vet... guess which 2008 Prez candidate got the most donations from Military Men? Ron Paul.

We have no propaganda, we only have freedom and our faith in liberty. We can answer any "propaganda" claim you have. We have truth. We have the love of this great nation. Open your eyes people.

RP2012!

[itsjiffy]

You people obviously don't have a clue who Ron Paul is or what he stands for. You see that he spoke at a Tea Party Summit and you automatically shut down any critical thinking skills you have and label him with whatever label has been spilled out lately on the mainstream tele. Ron Paul is pro freedom. As he would say it, freedom is the absence of force. Freedom is the choice to associate, or not associate with whom ever you please. Freedom is living your life without the Government telling you what to do. Does that sound Fascist, or unreasonable to you? Just because he runs under the Republican label means absolutely nothing. He is a Libertarian, a traditional Liberal, and a real Conservative. I suggest you look into Dr. Paul because you all are clearly naive at this point, and you may be pleasantly surprised.... If you can look past the left right paradigm which is today's politics.

[jimbom121]

Actually most people do understand Ron Paul, which is why he gets low poll numbers outside of the ultra right wing.

[jimbom121]

Cain & Paul...just shows how useless these Tea baggers are in the big picture.

[UPofMichigan]

Do you know anything about Ron Paul...?

[jimbom121]

Actually I do:

-Anti-abortion even in the case of rape & incest, or in case of the health of the mother and or baby
-Anti-stem cell research
-Wants to remove the Income tax
-Remove gov't oversight of industry
-Go back to gold standard
-Would not let shareholders vote on executive comp
-Opposes hate crime laws
-School prayer
-Abolish dept of education


I do agree with him on the Iraq War & oil Subsidies. But that is about it.

[mountainstates1]

Tea Party, what a party of quacks, nuts, and malcontents! Last nights local news showed part of the Tea Party convention...they had chairs set up for probably 300 people and only about 50 of the seats were occupied! Just a bunch of 60 yr old bigots...

[Janfebmarapr]

"The controversial (Ron Paul) newsletters include rants against the Israeli lobby, gays, AIDS victims and Martin Luther King Jr. -- described as a "pro-Communist philanderer." One newsletter, from June 1992, right after the LA riots, says "order was only restored in L.A. when it came time for the blacks to pick up their welfare checks."

So that explains why he is at the top of the Fascist Tea Party Nation.
Just like in Nazi Germany, the less you believe in democracy, freedom, and the Constitution, the higher rank you have. Heck, he even has the hate thing for Jews going. Now THAT will make you number one for sure with the Tea Party Fascists.

[dcompton20]

wow,buddy you are spewing alot of misinformation,if you knew anything about ron paul you would know hes the only leader who follows the constitution,the only fascist is the president in office,and the president before him.and the "controversial" ron paul newsletters,werent written by ron paul,did you know hear that by now,that was sorted out 3 years ago,wont work this sime

[itsjiffy]

Wow. You obviously have no idea who Ron Paul is. He is the pro freedom candidate available. He in no way believes the Government should tell anyone how to live their lives. This includes gays and AIDS victims. You are clearly naive and no doubt ignorant. I challenge you to listen to his speech he gave last weekend... But that would probably put a damper on your extremely misguided views of Dr. Paul. Oh and by the way... You call him a Fascist? Do you even know what that means? He is the contra Fascist. Wake up.

[formrusmcsgt]

Palin came in 4th of 5 AMONG TEA BAGGERS......

The handwriting is on the wall.......

[san850]

...and I think the fat lady has sung. She's toast.