Straw Poll Picks Romney, Jindal, Paul and Palin
 Thursday, April 30th, 2009  by Connie T.

We know that the CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) wrapped at the end of February, but we were taking a short blogging break around that time, so if you've already heard this news, forgive us for catching up.

1,757 straw polls were cast this year, and 59% of the pollees were students (57% aged 18-25) who've got a lot of voting years left in them...yes, there are still young Conservatives out there!

95% of those polled said they disapprove of the job that Barack Obama is doing as President (don't shoot the messenger!). 70% approve of the job that Republicans in Congress are doing (we're wondering which Congress they're referring to). And here is the big whammy: the question was, "Thinking ahead to the 2012 election, who would you vote for as the next Republican nominee for President?"

20%, the most of any candidate, voted for former Governor Mitt Romney. Coming in second was LA Governor Bobby Jindal. And, tied for third, Texas Congressman Ron Paul and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

Runners-up were Newt Gingrich (10%), Mike Huckabee (7%), SC Governor Mark Sanford (4%), Rudy Giuliani (3%), MN Governor Tim Pawlenty (2%), and FL Governor Charlie Crist (1%). 9% were undecided.

Ron Paul has as many supporters in a sample survey as former VP potential Sarah Palin? Now we're getting somewhere!

Another promising answer? 74% of people voted that the most important core belief of their ideology is promoting individual freedom "by reducing the size and scope of government and its intrusion into the lives of its citizens." The majority said that the policy initiative they fear most about President Obama and Democrats in Congress is expanding government.

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