41st Conservative Political Action Conference  ...Next >
Richard Viguerie's ConservativeHQ ("the online news source for conservatives and Tea Partiers committed to bringing limited-government constitutional conservatives to power") conducted a "2016 White House Derby" straw poll.  Also in the booth were flyers promoting Viguerie's new book "Takeover: The 100-Year War for the Soul of the GOP and How Conservatives Can Finally Win It."   
717 people participated in the straw poll; final results were: Rand Paul 29%, Ted Cruz 12%, Ben Carson 12%, Chris Christie 9%, Rick Santorum 8%, Marco Rubio 7%, Scott Walker 6%, Paul Ryan 3%, Jeb Bush 2% and Bobby Jindal 2%.  These results were fairly similar to those of the official CPAC straw poll, however this straw poll seemed to have a problem.  One attendee wanted to vote for Chris Christie, but made the startling discovery that the screens did not always show the same candidates.  As shown above, the tablets displayed 15 candidates.  Christie was the last candidate on the screen in the top photo, but he did not show up on the screen in the bottom photo; appearing instead was Jim DeMint, third from last.  Whether this was an isolated incident or a more systemic problem, it certainly raises questions about this straw poll.  (Of course straw polls are of limited value to begin with, but they are a good way to engage attendees).

Press Release from ConservativeHQ.com
March 7, 2014

Correction: Paul and Cruz Top ConservativeHQ Straw Poll – Establishment GOP Blanked

Correction:  THE PREVIOUSLY RELEASED ARTICLE MAY HAVE CONFUSED READERS THAT THE INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVEHQ.COM STRAW POLL BEING CONDUCTED AT CPAC WAS THE OFFICIAL CPAC STRAW POLL.  IT IS NOT.  CONSERVATIVEHQ.COM IS CONDUCTING ITS OWN INDEPENDENT STRAW POLL AT CPAC.

CPAC attendees are rejecting the Republican establishment and its brand of Big Government “me-too-ism” in favor of candidates who are authentic representatives of the grassroots conservative base of the Party.
Richard A. Viguerie, Chairman of ConservativeHQ.com today announced the frontrunners in the presidential straw poll independently conducted by ConservativeHQ.com at this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).  This is not the official CPAC straw poll.

Senator Rand Paul topped the ballot on the first day at 29 percent. Senator Ted Cruz was running second at 17 percent.  Rounding out the top five were Ben Carson at 10%, Marco Rubio at 10%, and Chris Christie at 10%.

“The fact that the top votegetters in this year’s CHQ straw poll are young limited government constitutional conservatives bodes well for Republican chances in 2016,” said Viguerie.  “The common trait among the top votegetters in our straw poll is that they are all “boat-rockers” of a limited government constitutional conservative bent – the establishment Republicans contenders are all at the bottom of the list.”

“In my view, voters are rejecting the Republican establishment and its brand of Big Government “me-too-ism” in favor of candidates who are authentic representatives of the grassroots conservative base of the Party, and it is that authenticity that put Rand Paul and Ted Cruz at the top of the straw poll.”

Following are the complete first day results of the ConservativeHQ.com poll being conducted at CPAC:
 
  • Rand Paul (29%)
  • Ted Cruz (17%)
  • Ben Carson (10%)
  • Marco Rubio (10%)
  • Chris Christie (10%)
  • Scott Walker (7%)
  • Paul Ryan (2%)
  • Jeb Bush (2%)
  • Rick Santorum (2%)
  • Mike Pence (1%)
Note: Sarah Palin and Bobby Jindal did not receive enough votes to remain on the leader board.
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