For record-keeping/illegal betting purposes, here are the names on the CPAC presidential straw poll.
Michele Bachmann
Haley Barbour
Herman Cain
Chris Christie
Mitch Daniels
Newt Gingrich
Mike Huckabee
Jon Huntsman
Gary Johnson
Sarah Palin
Tim Pawlenty
Ron Paul
Mitt Romney
Rick Santorum
John Thune
There are “undecided” and write-in options; as I keep mentioning for some reason, there is a manful Trump write-in campaign. The only PAC presences I’ve seen so far are that of Mitt Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC and Ron Paul’s sprawling Campaign for Liberty and Young Americans for Liberty organizations; Romney, Tim Pawlenty and Ron Paul all appear tomorrow.
Paul won the straw poll last year, a surprise that absolutely quieted the buzz that the poll usually generates about presidential campaigns. I talked briefly to David Keene about this, and he described Paul’s win as “close, with Mitt Romney right behind.” (The numbers
were
Paul 31 percent, Romney 22 percent.) I mentioned that Paul’s C4L organization had brought at least 1000 attendees this year.
“And only 600 of ‘em voted!” said Keene. “Not a great return on your money. ”
