The results of the CPAC 2007 Presidential Straw Poll:
- Mitt Romney 21%
- Rudy Giuliani 17%
- Sen. Sam Brownback 15%
- Newt Gingrich 14%
- Sen. John McCain 12%
Combining first and second choices:
- Rudy Giuliani 34%
- Newt Gingrich 30%
- Mitt Romney 30%
The Little Miss Attila poll, based on her perceptions of “the men’s speeches, aplomb in handling questions, and skill in courting the bloggers”:
- Giuliani
- Gingrich
- Romney
- Brownback
These three measures are equally valid bases for predicting the winner of the 2008 Republican nomination.
For example, if the contest is going to be decided by the number of college students that can be turned out with the promise of a free t-shirt and a pizza party, Brownback has a strong chance. If it’s based on a willingness to pretend that you read blogs, Romney is the definite frontrunner. And, if it’s based on being the only reason to give up a Saturday sitting around a cramped convention hotel surrounded by screaming teenagers, Gingrich can’t be discounted.








