Mitt Romney wins CPAC straw poll

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has narrowly won the straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference.

The Washington Times/CPAC straw poll results of 3,408 conservative activists showed Romney with the support of 38 percent of respondents. Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum was in second place at 31 percent.

When the results were announced, a packed ballroom erupted in both cheers and jeers as supporters of all four candidates sat in the room.

The other two candidates, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Rep. Ron Paul, came in third and fourth with 15 percent and 12 percent respectively.

Although he didn't win, Santorum had a relatively strong finish. The former Pennsylvania Senator is battling with Newt Gingrich to become the "conservative alternative" to Romney for the Republican nomination, while Paul's supporters lean Libertarian.

Romney's win, meanwhile, helps him make the argument that he is not insufficiently conservative for the Republican base. Romney has done well in the early states when he devotes a large amount of money and resources - such as Florida and New Hampshire - but has struggled in states where the electorate was dominated by conservatives, such as Iowa and South Carolina.

Despite Romney's win, a plurality at this conservative conference supported another candidate.

Roy and Barbara Dollard from New Jersey said before the results that they were supporting Romney but are "a little ambivalent."

Leroy, who didn't want to give his last name, supported Mitt Romney in 2008 but said "that was a different story." The Virginia resident said he didn't like Senator John McCain in that race.

The straw poll asked a series of questions, among them a respondent's vice presidential choice. Florida Senator Marco Rubio was the overwhelming favorite, with 34 percent support. No other person won double-digit support.

[barker5050]

How can beating the next closest opponent by 7% be called "narrowly" winning? Does that mean Obama's 7% win over McCain in 2008 was a narrow victory?

Winning by 1%, 2%, or 3% is a narrow win. When you win by 5% or more, it is a solid win in politics.

[RobAla]

On a side note here; originally Chip Reed's article "Hopefuls strut their conservative stuff at CPAC" was one which allowed comments. Almost immediately the article was converted into one that allowed no comments. I don't think Mr. Reed cared much for the comments which his article garnered.

I think it is gutless for CBS to slap propaganda pieces onto this website, which allow no comment. I absolutely agree with the policies of CBS, which guide how comments are to be posted. However, I find journalist who disallow comments to be gutless.

Just my opinion.

[shurch4truth]

Mr. Mitt could do himself a favor by not being obviously anti-Obama and hence anti-jobs. Mr. Banner and his fellow Repubs will do anything including prevent job growth if it serves to make Obama look bad.

And even though the vast majority of Americans don't like it, and are suffering because of it, they don't appear to be concerned.

Remember, it was under the GW bush Repubs the taxes were cut for the rich which caused the USA economy to take a nose dive and during that 8 years of Republican rule in the WH the rich did not use their extra cash to creat jobs.

In fact, joblessness became the worse since the depression.

Think about this when it becomes time to vote.

The economy is now improving. It was headed towards collapse when the Repubicans were in power.

[smirk5]

Hey Cons! How will Romney's economic and foreign polices differ greatly from Bush Jr.'s? No attacks, just answer the question if you're capable of doing so.

[fedup12]

Romney campaigning against Obama.

I will make congress repeal Obamas Romneycare.

Yep... Doesnt sound right does it.

[nearl451]

That and $1.50 will get you a cup of coffee.

[Jaaayyy]

A Pro-abortion, pro-gun control, pro-bail-out, pro-big government candidate wins the "Conservative" Political Action Committee?

CPAC is useless.

I am staying home if Romney is the nominee.

[fedup12]

Ron better get busy.

I know ... Wishful thinking. Someone I could actually vote for that isnt a religious nut.

[w_roos]

Still a lot of disgruntled Hillary voters at CPAC. Hope they can get over it soon.

[gunshack1]

Romney's last speach, "I'm a conservative" " I'm the best conservative" "I'm a great conservative" " Those other guys are not as conservative as me" "Did I mention I'm a conservative?"

[nearl451]

'Severely' conservative is what I heard.

[smirk5]

At the end of Bush Jr.'s Presidency, he showed up at CPAC. The crowd chanted "4 more years!, 4 more years!" After the dropped ball on 9-11, after the needless and unpaid for war in Iraq, after the unfunded Medicare part D, after exploding the defict, Conservatives still loved and had complete adulation for Bush Jr. That makes sense. Becaused, Bush's foreign and economic policies are still the only thing on the Republican menu. The 2008 election is one where Americans get to decide if they want to repeat the Bush Presidency again. Most Republicans are on board and wish Bush policies had never left.

[EyeObject]

Wow smirk5, you just dusted off the Obama '08 rhetoric and pasted it here and didn't even bother to change the election year. It won't work this time...but I'm sure you'll keep on "hoping."

[smirk5]

But it's true. A vote for a Republican this year is a vote to return to Bush Jr. policy. Or, please explain how economic and foreign policy will greatly differ from Bush's if Romney becomes President. You can't because they won't.