Texas straw poll in Ft. Worth

[Publius]

A reporter for the Dallas Morning News is blogging that it appears the Texas straw poll in Fort Worth will come down to a race between Paul and Hunter.

The five candidates who are here have finished speaking, and based on the response in the hall, it's a showdown between Duncan Hunter and Ron Paul. Political handicapper Gromer Jeffers, who knows how to calculate the odds, is genuinely stumped on this one. But if we have to pick, give a slight edge to Paul, if only for the home-field advantage. We should know in a few hours.

Many delegates (Texas does it differently than others, only people that have been recent delegates to GOP conventions are allowed to vote) are apparently very angry with the "top tier" candidates for snubbing the poll. ( Star-Telegram.com | 09/01/2007 | Straw poll no-shows upset some voters )

The blog is available at: Trail Blazers

[lew]

41.1% Duncan Hunter (534 votes)
20.5% Fred Thompson (266 votes)
16.17% Ron Paul (217 votes)
6.4% Mike Huckabee (83 votes)
6% Rudy Giuliani (78 votes)
4.7% Mitt Romney (61 votes)
2.2% Ray McKinney (28 votes)
.77% John Cox (10 votes)
.62% John McCain (8 votes)
.46% Sam Brownback (6 votes)
.46% Tom Tancredo (6 votes)
.23% Hugh Cort (3 votes)

[lew]

I like how straw polls across the country are drastically different with their results.

Duncan Hunter is first here, but was close to last at Iowa. Tancredo is basically last here, but 4th in Iowa. Similar stories at all the other straw polls across the country.


The only two candidates who have consistent turnouts and percentages, regardless of location and regardless of whether they appear at the event or not, are Fred Thompson and Ron Paul. I predict the nomination for the Republican Party will come between these two.

[lew]

This was not an open Straw Poll, so this is a very good showing for Ron Paul among conservative Republicans that have been Republicans.

We all know that a lot of Paul's supporters are young, never voted, and / or Libertarians / Independents / Democrats.

So again, this showing among "normal" conservative Republicans is an excellent showing.

[AVengeance]

Ron Paul won't get the nod for the GOP ticket, if the Republicans have to hire someone to kill him themselves. Yes, I'll be voting in the Primaries, and he's who I'll be voting for. But we have to understand, the election is already decided. McCain or Mr911 will get through the primaries, and be handily defeated by an Edwards/Clinton ticket. The mass media has already picket their "favorites" for the contest, and that's what matters to the uneducated voters who will be TOLD who to vote for.