Ron Paul Wins CPAC Straw Poll for 2012

Ron Paul today emerged as the surprise winner of the presidential straw poll at CPAC. Conservatives at the conference picked the Texas congressman with the libertarian bent as their favorite candidate with 31% of the vote, ahead of Mitt Romney (22%), the only other politician in double digits. Trailing them were no-show Sarah Palin (7%), followed by Tim Pawlenty, Mike Pence, Newt Gingrich, and Mike Huckabee.

Not that it's the kiss of success: Romney has won the last three years, reports Fox News. About 2,400 voters took part in the straw poll, about a third of attendees. And of those, nearly half were students, perhaps a sign of the organizing prowess of Paul's young followers. CPAC organizers weren't happy. A spokesman rushed over to reporters to make sure they heard the booing when results went up, notes Politico. (More Ron Paul stories.)