Liberty-minded Republicans still clamor for Sen. Rand Paul. Some 800 enthusiastic activists converged on Nashua, New Hampshire, over the weekend for the annual Republican Liberty Caucus National Convention, to talk shop and vote in a presidential straw poll.
Mr. Paul was the preference of 57 percent of the attendees, followed by Sen. Ted Cruz with 51 percent. But for the liberty lovers, that was about it. No other candidate received more than 18 percent, the poll found. And about those numbers. The organizers explain that the survey used an alternative voting method called “approval voting,” which allows voters to approve of one or more of the current GOP candidates. “As a preference poll this may produce results where more than one candidate receives over 50 percent approval,” they say.
“The large turnout for this event and the enthusiastic participation of attendees in this poll shows the rising tide of liberty in the Republican Party,” said caucus chairman Matt Nye.
“Liberty Republicans have clearly identified these two candidates as the best in a crowded field. They are an inspiration to Republicans around the country and we look forward to a great crop of candidates at every level, ready to go to Washington and restore limited government and a respect for individual liberty.”
Ben Carson was in third place at 18 percent, followed by Carly Fiorina (10 percent), Sen. Marco Rubio (9 percent), Donald Trump (7 percent), Gov. Bobby Jindal (6 percent) and Rick Santorum (4 percent.)
Mike Huckabee, Govs. George Pataki and Chris Christie all received less than 3 percent each; Jeb Bush as at 1 percent.
“New Hampshire is the jumping off point for the nomination campaign and with this choice the people have clearly chosen liberty,” said Aaron Day, caucus chairman. “We look forward to seeing a lot more of both Rand Paul and Ted Cruz in the next few months and I’m confident that our state candidates will do well with one of them at the top of the ticket.”
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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