http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/02/20/conservatives.meeting/index.html?hpt=T2

(CNN) -- U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, a stalwart foe of government spending, won a blowout victory Saturday in the annual Conservative Political Action Conference presidential straw poll.

With participants naming "reducing the size of federal government" as their top issue, the 74-year old libertarian hero captured 31 percent of the 2,400 votes cast in the annual contest, usually seen as a barometer of how the GOP's conservative wing regards their potential presidential candidates.

He has my vote if he runs.

apparently you can't approve threads on an Android browser.

sourceolitical Wire

In a surprise, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) won the 2012 presidential straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference.

The New York Times notes he won with 31% of the nearly 2,400 votes at the conference, edging out Mitt Romney who captured 22% of the vote.

"When Mr. Paul's name was announced in the packed ballroom of a Washington hotel, it elicited hoots and boos along with applause. Although Mr. Romney won fewer votes, he seemed to draw stronger applause."

CNN notes that a majority of participants "said they wished the Republican Party had a better field of candidates to choose from."

Politico: "CPAC organizers were plainly embarrassed by the results, which could have the effect of reducing the perceived impact of a contest that was once thought to offer a window into which White House hopefuls were favored by movement conservatives."

There were also people loudly booing when the results were read

I'm not sure I mind Paul receiving boos from many there.

Dr. Paul used to win all the debates last year on Fox News too. And it was hillarious watching Hannity and Frank Luntz complain about the "rigging" by Paul supporters.

THe other day Hannity tried to spin this as a good thing for conservatives saying this demonstrates how disgusted Americans are with the government. He absolutely loathes Paul.

No big thing. Just another meaningless "poll"

Ron Paul is a better candidate than most. The best the GOP has right now in my opinion.

Dr. Paul has my vote and support if he chooses to run again. He is the most intelligent canidate we could ask for and cares more about the country and citizens and preservation of the Constitution than any other politician IMO.

Dr. Paul may well be the smartest guy in the room, but he's about as electable as I am. Charisma bypass = no POTUS for you.

I would give Paul some serious consideration if he ran again. I did in 2008 but didn't think he was a viable candidate so ended up not voting for him. If he proves to be a real contender, he may have a shot.

What is Huckabee doing now? Is he still a plausible candidate?

I Wear Pants wrote: What is Huckabee doing now? Is he still a plausible candidate?

Plugging a book and appearing on Fox News...so I guess that disqualifies him.

Hmm, I thought he was the best Republican candidate last time. Ron Paul just isn't charismatic enough.

Give me knowledge and ability over charisma any day. Look at how charismatic Obama has been, yet he hasn't accomplished anything in his political career as a politician besides getting elected.

I really can't believe people are disregarding Dr. Paul simply because he isn't "charismatic". He is straight to the point and tells you how he feels and how he would work his ideas into policy. Other "charismatic" politicians dance around issues and do not directly answer questions. They are afraid to take on issues head on. Dr. Paul is not afraid.

I now see how blindly some people will vote, based on charisma. Many times charisma is a mask for someone who isn't capable.

I am going to use a college football analogy here to display how charisma isn't always the measure of a canidate. Jim Tressel of the Ohio State University is one of the most successful coaches of this past decade. Often he is described as being boring or not charismatic; however, he is still one of the most successful coaches. The same can be said of Mack Brown, head coach of Texas.

Pete Carrol, formerly of the Univerisity of Southern California, was very charismatic and had much success. It is only recently that we've discovered that much of that success is tainted with scandal. Same goes for Rich Rodriguez of Michigan.

Don't let charisma fool you, people come on!

I just don't know how Ron Paul actually does any of the things he says he would do.

I respect and admire the man, just think you need the right Congress members elected, along with Paul, to really see any change.

cbus4life wrote: I just don't know how Ron Paul actually does any of the things he says he would do.

I respect and admire the man, just think you need the right Congress members elected, along with Paul, to really see any change.

Fair point, but I would love to see President Paul veto every bill that comes acrossed his desk that is so full of pork.

Would be entertaining, that's for sure.

The question is...everyone always says that politicians are corrupted once they get to Washington, no matter their intentions...who is to say that the same thing won't happen to Paul?

If he runs I will vote for him.

I may not support for him President, not a huge fan of his foreign policy view, but I would love to have him as a Secretary of Treasury.

cbus4life wrote: Would be entertaining, that's for sure.

The question is...everyone always says that politicians are corrupted once they get to Washington, no matter their intentions...who is to say that the same thing won't happen to Paul?

I don't think he'd be corrupted, he's been in Congress for nearly 30 years and hasn't been yet. He has been consistent since his first term.

Yea, good point. Just saying that it is a whole lot easier to "stick" to your guns as a member of Congress than as the President of the United States.

cbus4life wrote: Yea, good point. Just saying that it is a whole lot easier to "stick" to your guns as a member of Congress than as the President of the United States.

We've seen men as great or greater than Paul act contrary to their deepest convictions while in the office of the Presidency before; Specifically Jefferson and Madison

Doesn't matter. I'm a big fan of Ron Paul, he's highly intelligent and honest about America's problems, but he has ZERO charisma. He'll win over the intelligent people, but he will forever fail to get Joe Sixpack and the minorites to vote for him.

In summary, he's boring.

ptown_trojans_1 wrote: I may not support for him President, not a huge fan of his foreign policy view, but I would love to have him as a Secretary of Treasury.

The best part of Paul is his foreign policy views. The social net cutbacks would not get through Congress. But like DDCrew put it, none of the spending crap would carry through.

A steady dose of Ron Paul educating the masses would a huge step in righting what is horribly wrong with our country today.

The economy would see a 2 year nose dive correction, but after that, Americans would regain pride in the country and a revigorized hope for the future. As it stands right now, there is very little hope.

And as an afterthought PTowne, do you not like Chuck Hegal's foreign policy views either?