(CNN) – Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich won a straw poll hosted by the Tea Party Patriots Sunday.
The Tea Party Patriots announced the results Monday following a conference call held late Sunday when more than 23,000 supporters across the country voted on their selection for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination.
“An overwhelming number of activists from around the nation showed they are serious about electing a candidate who advances tea party principles,” said National Coordinator Jenny Beth Martin.
But she added, “Just as in 2010, candidates like Newt Gingrich will need to show they will be fiscally responsible and protect the Constitution in the White House.”
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum all responded to questions selected by tea party coordinators that were provided to the candidates in advance.
Iowa Rep. Steve King prefaced candidate responses by observing, “I could make a perfect candidate out of the components” of contenders, but no perfect selection for the GOP nomination exists.
~~~ Following questions with the candidates, supporters were able to select their choice for the 2012 Republican nomination and rate their enthusiasm for each individual candidate as hypothetical nominee.
Gingrich received 31% support, followed by Bachmann at 28%, and Romney at 20%. Sixteen percent of participants voted for Santorum, 3% selected Texas Rep. Ron Paul, and less than one percent chose Huntsman.
Gingrich may have won the Tea Party Patriots straw poll, but was edged out for the enthusiasm vote amongst supporters. Just slightly more of the participants said they’d by extremely enthusiastic if Bachmann were the nominee over Gingrich at 36-35% –27% said they’d be extremely enthusiastic for Santorum, and one quarter said they’d be extremely enthusiastic if Romney secured the nomination for president.
As a side note, Politico differs on the “enthusiastic support” results…
The poll also asked participants to rank how enthusiastic they’d be about each possible GOP nominee. Gingrich won by that score, too, with 58 percent saying they’d be “enthusiastic” or “very enthusiastic,” followed by Bachmann (55 percent), Santorum (54 percent), Romney (50 percent), Perry (32 percent), Paul (6 percent) and Huntsman (5 percent).
As more comes out about Ron Paul potential supporters fall away.
The Wall Street Journal exposed a new side of Paul:
Any typical Congressional portfolio might have 10% in cash, 10% in bonds or bond funds, 20% in real estate, and 60% in stocks or stock funds.
Paul’s ONLY stock holdings (for one example) are all “short,” or holdings that make bets against, U.S. stocks.
One of them is a “double inverse” fund that, on a daily basis, goes up twice as much as its stock benchmark goes down.
Paul owns no Apple, no ExxonMobil, no Procter & Gamble, no General Electric, no Johnson & Johnson, not even a diversified mutual fund that holds a broad basket of stocks.
Paul doesn’t own stock in any major companies at all!
So, where’s the beef?
Paul’s holdings are 21% in real estate and roughly 14% in cash.
All the rest (64%) is in gold and silver.
William Bernstein, an investment manager at Efficient Portfolio Advisors in Eastford, Conn., reviewed Paul’s portfolio.
Mr. Bernstein says he has never seen such an extreme bet on economic catastrophe.
”This portfolio is a half-step away from a cellar-full of canned goods and nine-millimeter rounds,” he says.
BTW, Nan G… did you happen to notice in the graph that the “recessions” are hued in blue? And that all the “flat” recovery is post the 2008 crash/2009 “recovery”?
Now look at the growth in the years after the previous recessions.
Just goes to show that Obama ought to be portraying this economy as sill recessionary… to ‘splain his truly deplorable economic leadership and wild spending ways.
@MataHarley:
I did.
Calculated Risk graphs usually show the recessions as light blue vertical bars.
Obama has fudged enough numbers so that the very wonkishly technical definition of what is or is not a recession has blurred.
But he has done that to the “poverty/near-poverty,” numbers as well.
Our whole country’s mean (or was it median) household income is now only a few dollars over Obama’s new definition of the top of the ”near-poverty” line.
That redefines nearly 49% of all Americans as in poverty or near-poverty.
Nan G. #1 Sounds like Paul’s negative outlook is right in line with the majority of folks here at F.A.Some have recently talked of stockpiling food ,guns and ammo.
Mata I”m still thinking Sarah’s gonna jump in after Newt’s poor third in N.H.(following 3rd in Iowa) and try to steal the nom. Your thoughts?
@Richard Wheeler:
RW, you miss the bigger picture of what things could happen in the USA IF you think Paul is doing the exact same thing as some here at FA.
What Paul is doing is merely getting prepared for one disaster: inflation.
It is like only buying earthquake insurance in CA.
Lots of other things might befall a Californian.
On a somewhat related note, Paul was just on CNN.
He bristled that his past should get the same level of scrutiny as every other Republican who has risen to the top in these primary battles.
He was interviewed by Gloria Borger.
He pulled the tactic Bill Clinton started with his ”move on, nothing to see here,” game back in his day.
Paul said, look at old interviews of me, don’t bring it all up live.
He actually used the term, ”pestered me.”
Gloria persists:
About the newsletters: you had them under your name, you ran them for years, you read them, you made a million dollars off of them.
When Gloria continued to press Paul he undid his microphone and said good bye.
We still don’t know who wrote those newsletters or whether Paul still associates with the author.
____________
One constitutional scholar this AM pointed out the impossibility of Paul ever getting his hoped-for major cuts through a Congress that, in 20 years of him being a member, never listened to him at all.
After all, Congress controls the purse strings.
There is no cadre of Paul followers in either the House or the Senate.
No rich… I don’t think Sarah’s going to step into the fray at all. Why would she?
Bachmann is already supposed to be “the tea party darling”… but apparently that’s all in her mind since she isn’t. I never thought she had a chance at toppling Palin off that pedestal.
Santorium is a good conservative on most issues, but as exciting, commanding and inspirational as a dishrag.
Perry may return, but I highly doubt it. All in all, Perry has had the best of all worlds… cooperative Republican legislators in a red state with a good economy. Perry hasn’t shown he can stand up for the same principles under adverse pressure. Hey, he buckles when debating his own, fer heavens sake.
Ron Paul will never stop shooting himself in the foot on every issue outside of fiscal responsibility, so he’ll never be anything but a brief headliner… perhaps in Iowa, if even that. And the more he talks, the more you see he can just be a temperamental old prig of a man.
Romney is the pariah in the race. No one wants him, but everyone one who isn’t a conservative – or is so desperate for the Oval Office they’d sell their soul – does want him. Unfortunately, the Ann Coulters and other self-glorified talking heads, the TP “leaders” (Bwahahaha), the GOP Congress types are finding that the conservatives are so PO’ed that we don’t care about their desperation, or their peer pressure. All attempts to steer towards Romney results in a new front runner that is anything BUT Romney.
So in reality, unless a lot changes (and it most certainly could…) this would pit late to the party, Sarah… behind on filling the campaign coffers and not strutting her stuff in the debates thus far…. against either Romney or Gingrich.
Romney would have the most cash on hand quickly and would be happy to take the Alinsky road of rehashing Sarah’s past psuedo-scandals.
Newt has the experience, the conservative record of results in Congress and as Speaker, plus debate skills. He’s also a street fighter who never quits, like herself, and finds himself the target of hatred from just about everyone. So they have much in common.
A late Palin entry would leave her in second place to Romney for money, and in second place in debate skills to Newt.
See no reason why she’d go that route at all. Much more to lose than gain… especially since some supporters (as you read here) are just beside themselves with fury that she didn’t announce, and didn’t say no until late in the game. Nothing worse than a tea partier who feels scorned…. LOL
Suspect she may be very interested in a cabinet position tho… Which is probably the reason that Santorum and Huntsman are running. She’s a young woman. Cabinet experience on top of gubernatorial experience is good grooming for future qualifications. If anyone but Romney wins, I’d not be surprised to see a Palin appointment somewhere.
Ron Paul and Nan G’s comment? He simply puts his money where his mouth is… in the bunker. Can’t say as I disagree if the path continues as it is. T’ain’t looking too rosy for the US economy in the future. Lowered expectations with new “norms” for employment, aging workforce that will overwhelm the working young in a retail based nation (i.e. low wages) with a new high unemployment level. Long time housing recovery so no house/ATM cash to spend for a fake bubble. Serious national debt so it’s more likely than not that taxes will be high… if not now somewhere down line.
And Europe’s fiscal condition isn’t much of a help, as we’re so intertwined. At least they have the head start on the US for attempting austerity. The US will be on the decline when they are starting to improve in the global credit rating agencies’ minds. Then of course there’s the future of the dollar. Right now, it’s still hangin’ in there only because everyone else’s currency looks so much worse. Will that always be the case? Don’t think so…
Nope.. nothing wrong with Ron Paul’s investments. Like I said, he puts his money where his mouth is.
I suspect with his long career in politics and the House, he’s pretty much given up all hope that any Congress or any POTUS will actually reduce spending. Can’t say as I disagree with him there either. Just slowing it down is probably the best we’ll all get without some radical change in leadership… both WH and Congress.
Nan G, if you’ll remember, I had to field a trio of Ron Paul supporters, who got all bent out of shape said he couldn’t coax a thirsty burro to a water filled trough. Another one got all victimized because I described Ron Paul’s stances andvotes on Israel schizoid, and his nature combative.
And, as I also said on that thread, Ron Paul the GOP’s “Dennis Kucinich”. Even the loons need a home. Hang, the Dems even give a home to Sheila Jackson Lee and Maxine Waters.
I’m telling ya… would still find the next admin very entertaining if they nominated Ron Paul as Treasury Sec’y. But I doubt anyone in Congress would approve. Why? Because he’s schizoid and combative….
Mata Sarah doesn’t give a hoot for any of these candidates.She toots her own horn and may believe she can win.Look at the tepid response to current crop from F,A. CONSERVS. Do you think they’ll back Romney or Paul. Newt’s drop will dramatically accellerate with Palin in the race .Believe large majority of F,A’ers would support Sarah over Newt who can’t beat Obama.
“Paul puts his money where his mouth is” There it is. He’s gonna win Iowa
You gotta know I’m enjoying the hell outta this. How bout you?
rich wheeler, you are making up headlines in your own mind, guy. Palin is no different than many of us… not exactly getting the Matthews tingle up the leg for anyone. But it’s the line up, and we have to choose from the menu.
As opposed to your erroneous characterization of Palin, she has not tooted her own horn, but has praised Ron Paul’s tough fiscal talk, and Newt… both in the last month. She has done no comparison to herself. This is just some personality disorder you have with the woman, so I swear you must dream of Palin in imaginary interviews.
Palin, in my opinion… and apparently to your disappointment… is not going to enter the race.
And what does that mean? My observation is that Ron Paul invests in a manner that is consistent with his expounded views. This has what to do with Iowa? Because if you think he’s got a big war chest, you’re wrong.
Sept. 9th, 2008
(CNN) – Texas Republican Rep. Ron Paul will call on supporters to back a third party candidate for president Wednesday, rejecting his own party’s nominee and offering equally harsh words for the Democratic candidate.
Paul, who unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination, will tell supporters he is not endorsing GOP nominee John McCain or Democratic nominee Barack Obama, and will instead give his seal of approval to four candidates:
Green Party nominee Cynthia McKinney,
Libertarian Party nominee Bob Barr,
independent candidate Ralph Nader, and
Constitution Party candidate Chuck Baldwin, according to a senior Paul aide.
_____________________________________________
Yes, folks, Ron Paul endorsed Cynthia McKinney in 2008.
Cynthia McKinney, a certifiably insane anti-American anti-Semitic lunatic.
Remember when she was arrested for punching out a member of the capitol police who tried to stop her when she wasn’t wearing her pin?
Cynthia McKinney, so crazy that she got defeated in a primary by a guy who thought Guam might tip over and capsize!
Cynthia McKinney, once arrested by the Israelis while trying to give aid to Hamas and penned a bizarre anti-American and anti-Israeli screed.
Ron Paul endorsed her!
Mata I certainly don’t have Mitt’s money who does but Ill bet you a buck Sarah gets in and gives Mitt a run to the wire. If I lose I’ll double down on Romney and a Romney/Rubio ticket beating BHO.
btw Paul has alot more money in his war chest than Newt who’ll have big money problems after dismal 3rd’s behind Romney and Paul in Iowa and N.H.
Sarah Now THERE’S a war chest.
Still haven’t a clue what you’re speaking of INRE Paul’s personal investment portfolio and Iowa, rich. Paul has been the 3rd highest GOP campaign recipient in the 2011 3rd quarter, falling behind Mitt (1st) and Perry (2nd). Bachmann was 4th.
Yet with a paltry war chest by comparison, Newt is still more than respectably high in the polls as a bankrupt latecomer, and now.. if this poll is any indication… in the Tea Party movement support.
Unless the three big money guys, and fourth money girl, can knock Newt out of the ballpark with their superior war chests, the money will follow whoever gets the nomination in the general. This is the primary. People funnel it first to their favorites. When the nominee is picked, then the money will end up flowing to that candidate. I’m not worried. Sounds like you are… LOL
Not a betting person myself. Trying to predict human behavior patterns is like spitting down wind, hoping that the direction doesn’t change.
very interesting, all this is pushing NEWT, I guess.
Just one more sign that many people do not want what the GOP is selling. Rommy.
MATA
hi,
could it be that RICK PERRY is left behind because his statement to cut CONGRESS,
which they have influence in the politic being right at the heart of it,
I think they have something to do with it,
No, Bees. Your boy is not left behind because he’s a victim. Well, let’s say he’s only a victim of himself.
I’d love it if Congress would be part time and have suggested that here long before Perry started talking about it. Won’t happen, tho. Just a wishful fantasy… just as a Perry surge is likely to be.
Maea Paul’s personal portfolio has done well with his bet on gold but has nothing to do with his war chest in Iowa which we agree is substantially higher than Newt’s. There’s talk Newt is too poorly funded to properly compete in all primary states.
I believe Palin will get in and truly energize Conservs. and T.P’ ers. Do you doubt the large majority of F.A.’ers prefer her to Newt? We’ll see what happens.
BTW I’m not worried about funding at all. Romney’s got plenty if his wife and sons agree to give up their inheritance. lol.
Can’t speak for the “large majority of FA’ers”, rich. As I said, many will still harbor venom for her not getting in at the beginning, and engaging in the debates. So I don’t know she’d get the overwhelming support you imagine.
She’s also not a dummy either, and the risks of her taking that tact far outweigh the possibilities. So you’re on your own with your bet, guy.
MATA
yes, they must have freaked up, to that statement, and PERRY would be cleaning up the GOVERNMENT,
MORE to the bone than any other CANDIDATES, WHICH is very much needed,
when you consider all the incompetence coming from there,
bye
MATA
I have read that DONALD TRUMP MIGHT GET IN IN MAY,
maybe SARAH would be joining him,
bye
Personally, Bees, I think the GOP field has room for only one lunatic. And Ron Paul already has that spot sewn up. We don’t need Trump. And I doubt he’d follow thru… never does any way. Has a history of this with two previous Presidential elections. He’s just a joke.
And of course Congress did NOT “freak” when Perry said that. First of all, it’s not an original thought. Secondly, Congress would have to begin that passage of a part time Congress themselves via votes and agreement. Never gonna happen. But they probably laughed themselves silly….
I’m listening to;
GLORY GLORY ALLELUIA, his troop are marching on
@Nan G: Paul’s portfolio is peculiar, but it reflects his beliefs and I believe has actually done really well, at least in the past ten years. If Bernstein wants to rag on Paul’s portfolio, maybe he’d like to post numbers for whatever funds he’s managed over the past ten years and see how the returns on those stack up against Paul’s. Not that that would really mean much.
Paul actually endorsed Chuck Baldwin in 2008, though indeed it looks like he preceded that with a pox-on-both-your-houses blanket endorsement of every other third party candidate out there.
It is too late for Palin to enter the fray as a candidate, unless she wants the party to tear up the rulebook on primaries and caucuses and just put her name on the ballot anyway. The deadline to get on the Virginia ballot is today. Lots of other deadlines coming up or just past. She could of course present herself as a consensus candidate in the case of a brokered convention, but I consider that both unlikely to happen and unlikely to be accepted. Write-in? That almost never works.
@Richard Wheeler: Newt probably has about as much money as Paul at this point, maybe a little less. Yes, Paul was in much better shape entering the fourth quarter, and I estimate he’s raised $10-12 million in the October-December timeframe – but I bet Newt has raised about the same, and while he may have been more in debt to start that period it looks like he’s spent less than Paul on TV. His problem will be first-quarter fundraising if he has back-to-back bad finishes in Iowa and NH.