Mike Pence takes top spot in Values Voter Summit straw poll [Palin comes in 5th]

Washington Post ^ | September 18, 2010 | Felicia Sonmez

[ejdrapes]

Mike Pence takes top spot in Values Voter Summit straw poll

By Felicia Sonmez

Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) took the top spot Saturday in a presidential straw poll of social conservatives meeting in Washington, a surprise victory over last year's overwhelming favorite, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee.

Pence placed first with 24 percent in the straw poll of 723 social conservatives at the Family Research Council's fifth annual Values Voter Summit. Huckabee took second place with 22 percent, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney came in third with 13 percent and former House speaker Newt Gingrich took fourth with 10 percent.

Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin took fifth with 7 percent. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, another potential 2012 GOP hopeful, took 1 percent of the straw poll vote.

Pence beat out 16 other leading Republicans on the straw poll ballot. Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty and Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minn.) were originally to appear on the ballot but asked to have their names removed. Pawlenty, who is on a trade mission in Asia, told reporters on a conference call Friday that he "didn't think it would be appropriate to participate" in the straw poll if he couldn't attend the summit.

[Gipper08]

Actually pence was the top VP choice...in addition to being the top choice for POTUS.

[Iscool]

Fortunately the Value Voter Summit will not be electing the next President...

[Bronzy]

Here was our conservative voice on health care by Mr. Pence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT7xfoSiH5Q