Posted on 04/23/2007 12:15:48 PM PDT by Smogger
BREAKING: Officials with the California Republican Assembly released the results of their presidential preference straw poll which occurred during their Spring convention in San Bernardino County.
The California Republican Assembly is California's largest GOP volunteer organization and works to uphold conservative values and principles in public policy. The organization is often called the "conscience of the Republican Party."
Despite not being an officially declared presidential candidate (or having an active presence at the Republican gathering), former US Senator Fred Dalton Thompson of Tennessee scored a huge upset, netting the votes of 28 CRA delegates. Tied for second place with 22 votes were California Congressman Duncan Hunter and ex-Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
The following are unofficial results, provided on-site from the convention location by CRA activists Bob Rego and Scott Folkens of San Bernardino County:
1. Fred Thompson: 28 votes
2. Duncan Hunter: 22 votes
2. Mitt Romney: 22 votes
3. Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX): 14 votes
4. Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO): 9 votes
5. (tie) Former US House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA): 8 votes
5. (tie) Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani: 8 votes
6. US Senator Sam Bownback (R-KS): 3 votes
US Senator John McCain, Former Cabinet Secretary Tommy Thompson, ex-Arkansas Guv Mike Huckabee all recieived zero votes in the CRA straw poll. Organizers failed to include former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore.
The California Republican Assembly is expected to soon issue a press statement on the results of their convention and the non-binding presidential straw poll.
“Congrats Thompson and Thompson supporters.
Gooooo Hunter! Hey, Hunter’s my man.”
Hunter is my guy too, but I will not be really upset if Thompson wins the nomination. I will be really upset if Rudy McRomney wins the nomination.
Do get an idea of what's been going on check out the link here!
Found it.
In many ways, Thompson is a politician who learned how to be an actor by simply playing himself. A big man with a deep baritone Dixie drawl, he exudes authority. Pro 2nd Amendment, he looks like a guy who could manage a crisis. And, according to television producer Dick Wolf, who cast Thompson in “Law & Order,” he probably could.
“Look, I’ve met every president since Nixon,” said Wolf, an independent who supported Bill Clinton. “When they focus their attention on you, it’s like a light goes on. They have this unique ability to make you feel like you’re the only one in the room.
“I don’t know if it’s a gift or a trick, but Fred’s got it.”
Wolf finds Thompson’s potential candidacy interesting. He’s even had conversations with him about it.
“We talked about it in the abstract,” Wolf recounted. “I said, ‘You should run.’ He said, ‘Really, why?’ I said, ‘Because I don’t think there’s anyone out there who can appeal to the base.’ “
Wolf said he could easily see Thompson running and winning.
“When Fred Thompson walks in a room, people want to salute,” Wolf said. “But beyond that, he’s a remarkable consensus builder. He can see both sides of an issue.
“The character he plays in ‘Law & Order,’ as all successful characters are, is not too far from the mettle of the man.”
Well said! It seems that the party is REALLY pushing Rudy, though. I just cannot get behind someone who is so liberal!
Was happy to see Thompson getting into the race. Now I’m torn between Thompson, Tancredo and Hunter!
...because I figured you’d be here and I specifically wanted to hear from you.
No, when ANYONE wins a straw poll, it’s irrelevant. When Fred wins one in CA, it’s irrelevant. When Romney wins one in SC, it’s irrelevant. When Rudy wins one in TX, it’s irrelevant.
It showed that Fred got 28 out of 144 people in the room to be Fred supporters, nothing more.
funny, the rudyfans post about the most minute grouping of individuals coming out for rudy and we are supposed to find that relevant, but fred is never relevant. i agree, polls taken this far out from the primary are irrelevant. across the board. but i do think there is something to be said for someone who has not even yet declared showing up on polls and even on occasion beating someone who has been running for the past several years. take it to the bank? no. but interesting nonetheless. that fred even shows up and does half decently on polls when he hasn’t spent dime one, interests me.
Romney 54
McCain 31
F. Thompson 12
Giuliani 11
Hunter 9
Gingrich 6
Huckabee 5
Brownback 2
Tancredo 1
Undecided 9.
Or Rudy with this one in OH:
Rudy 30.9%.
McCain 25.8%
Fred 12.1%
Romney 8.6%
Newt 8.2%.
Yes, irrelevant. Unless they're only relevant when YOUR horse wins 'em. LOL
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