Sen. Rand Paul wins the CPAC 2013 Straw Poll, narrowly beating Sen, Marco Rubio:
- Rand Paul – 25%
- Marco Rubio – 23%
- Rick Santorum – 8%
- Chris Christie – 7%
- Paul Ryan – 6%
- Scott Walker – 5%
- Ben Carson – 4%
- Ted Cruz – 4%
- Bobby Jindal – 3%
- Sarah Palin – 3%
- Other – 34%
- Undecided 2%
There were 23 candidates on the ballot and 44 write-ins.
President Obama continues to be very unpopular among CPAC attendees — 96% disapproval. In 2012 Obama did better receiving 79% disapproval in the straw poll.
Half the straw poll participants were young people between 18-25 years old.
Rand Paul became very popular among conservatives after his 13-hour filibuster against the Obama drones program last week. He is now seen by many as a leader of the future Republican Party.
Don’t read too much into the straw poll results. They are worth little more than bragging rights.