But the most interesting news came from the Presidential straw poll, which had been tacked on to the end of the officer ballot, almost as an afterthought. The delegates were given a choice of a dozen or so candidates. None of the Presidential campaigns were represented at the convention.

The national frontrunner, Rudy Giuliani, placed third, right behind Georgia’s own Newt Gingrich, who finished second. But the winner was former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson of Tennessee, who received more votes than all the other candidates combined.

Fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh place went to Romney, McCain, Huckabee and Brownback, in that order.

I have always liked Fred Thompson, but his stunning and seemingly spontaneous victory took me completely by surprise. I am not sure what it means, but his nascent candidacy certainly bears greater scrutiny. (Senator Shafer’s Blog)

Permalink