2012 Presidential Election: Mitt Romney Wins CPAC Straw Poll
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Some may say: “We are still in the infancy stage of President Obamas’ term. So, why even mention the 2012 election?” Yes, President Obama has just begun his four year term. However, for the GOP, it is going to be a long and barbed road to the 2012 nomination and elections. So, they best start now.
President Obama is one of the most talented orators that I have ever witnessed, he made history as the first viable biracial presidential candidate, his platform inspired hope for millions, etc.. but it wasn’t any of these things that actually won him the presidency. Obviously, he swayed many moderate and conservative voters. These voters did not suddenly change their ideals to vote for bigger government, bigger spending, bigger taxes, etc.. At least I didn’t. Instead, they voted for the known. President Obama was very clear and upfront about everything he planned to do if he became president. Whereas, the McCain campaign was like that school lunch that claims it is “Republican” meatloaf, but is actually some sort of odd tasting mystery meat. What’s done is done! Let’s look to the future.
The Republican party has finally realized, albeit a day late and a dollar short, that they strayed from their conservative base principles in 2008. It has also finally dawned on the party that the economy did, and will for several more years, overshadow all other issues.
I really do think the GOP is finally catching on. If the economy is the major issue….then you don’t nominate a candidate that 6 months prior to the nomination tells a newspaper “I am not an economy expert. I do not know anything about the economy; that is why I have advisors.” – like McCain did. Instead, you nominate a candidate that has spent his entire life engrossed in economics and has an actual working knowledge of economics.
In my opinion, the GOP had their perfect candidate in 2008, but was too worried whether or not he wore magic underwear. All hope is not lost though! CPAC appears to be the first indication of where conservatives are going to turn for 2012. On Saturday, Mitt Romney won the Conservative Political Action Conference straw poll. Over 1,700 attendees cast a ballot, and Mitt Romney won 20% of that vote. However, this is his third consecutive win at CPAC. So, I am not convinced that the GOP party ( as a whole ) is as smart as the CPAC attendees. None the less, official campaigning for 2012 will begin in about 1 ½ years, and CPAC can provide a good boost for Mitt Romney.
The official results of the Conservative Political Action Conference straw poll:
Winner- Mitt Romney – 20 percent
Bobby Jindal – 14 percent
Ron Paul – 13 percent
Sarah Palin – 13 percent
Newt Gingrich – 10 percent
Mike Huckabee – 7 percent
Mark Sanford – 4 percent
Rudy Guiliani – 3 percent
Tim Pawlenty – 2 percent
Charlie Crist – 1 percent
Undecided – 9 percent
So, I ask: Could it be?
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5 Comments
Makes you wonder why the Party can’t see what is so obvious to everyone else. Solid research and a great article.
You made some good points. McCain was so unemotional and seemingly uneffected and Palin so pushy. I think everyone was put off by the behavior.
Who is an independent to vote for?
Enjoyed this article! HE has my vote!
Very nicely written