Ron Paul in Top Tier of Straw Poll Results
Enough straw polls have been held around the country to show which candidates are catching on with grass roots Republican voters, and the results might surprise those who consider Rudy Giuliani the front-runner. The former New York City mayor may lead in telephone surveys, but he barely registers when voters have to leave home and put in a personal appearance to show their support. In 17 straw polls in 14 different states tracked on the Ron Paul campaign site, Dr. Paul has more than held his own, joining the top tier with Mitt Romney and possible candidate Fred Thompson.
Since the much-publicized Iowa straw poll, Ron Paul has won 4 of 9 contests, giving him 5 wins on the year, along with 4 second-place showings, 3 thirds, and 3 fourths. Ron Paul has won straw polls in Washington, Alabama, North Carolina, and twice in the key early primary state of New Hampshire. He has averaged 26% of the vote in the 17 straw polls, an impressive result in a nine-candidate field.
Even more impressive has been Ron Paul's record in head-to-head matchups with the other candidates in the straw polls. Not only does Dr. Paul have a winning record against every candidate except for Romney and Thompson, none of the others has earned more votes than him more than twice in seventeen tries. Anyone who thought Dr. Paul's fifth-place showing in Iowa meant that the second-tier candidates were gaining on him should consider these results:
Three more straw polls are on tap in the next two weeks -- Texas (September 1st), Maryland (August 24th to September 3rd), and South Dakota (September 3rd). The Texas contest is limited to past Republican state and national convention delegates, but the Maryland poll is open to all state residents, with polling conducted during the state fair, so turnout should be huge. Ron Paul supporters in all three states should show up to help keep the impressive grass roots results going strong.
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Since the much-publicized Iowa straw poll, Ron Paul has won 4 of 9 contests, giving him 5 wins on the year, along with 4 second-place showings, 3 thirds, and 3 fourths. Ron Paul has won straw polls in Washington, Alabama, North Carolina, and twice in the key early primary state of New Hampshire. He has averaged 26% of the vote in the 17 straw polls, an impressive result in a nine-candidate field.
Even more impressive has been Ron Paul's record in head-to-head matchups with the other candidates in the straw polls. Not only does Dr. Paul have a winning record against every candidate except for Romney and Thompson, none of the others has earned more votes than him more than twice in seventeen tries. Anyone who thought Dr. Paul's fifth-place showing in Iowa meant that the second-tier candidates were gaining on him should consider these results:
Ron Paul's Straw Poll Match-ups
Fred Thompson 10, Ron Paul 6
Mitt Romney 9, Ron Paul 8
Ron Paul 13, Sam Brownback 2 (with one tie)
Ron Paul 15, Rudy Giuliani 2
Ron Paul 14, Mike Huckabee 1 (with one tie)
Ron Paul 14, Tom Tancredo 1
Ron Paul 14, Duncan Hunter 1
Ron Paul 15, John McCain 1
Three more straw polls are on tap in the next two weeks -- Texas (September 1st), Maryland (August 24th to September 3rd), and South Dakota (September 3rd). The Texas contest is limited to past Republican state and national convention delegates, but the Maryland poll is open to all state residents, with polling conducted during the state fair, so turnout should be huge. Ron Paul supporters in all three states should show up to help keep the impressive grass roots results going strong.
