Well, there you go. Dr. Ben Carson had a heartland victory with a “whopping” 62 percent of the vote in a presidential straw poll conducted at the Polk County Republican Party Dinner on Sunday night, which took place in Des Moines but drew attendees from as far away as Minneapolis, who were anxious to yell “Run, Ben, Run” and witness the good doctor’s stirring speech.
“I hate political correctness,” he told the crowd. “I think it is a destructive thing. It’s antithetical to one of the founding principles of our nation: freedom of speech and freedom of expression.”
Dr. Carson drew three standing ovations. Find his full speech - courtesy of the “Iowa Republican” - here
“It’s clear that Dr. Ben Carson draws supporters who want him to make a presidential run in 2016,” says Vernon Robinson, campaign director of the National Draft Ben Carson for President Committee, an independent grass-roots group. “This poll shows that people like what he stands for and believe the country needs a leader like him.”
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas was in a very distant second place with 7 percent of the vote, followed by Texas Gov. Rick Perry, with 4 percent. The ballot, incidentally, included 50 choices.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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