Huntsman Surges in GOP Straw Poll

Libertarian hero Ron Paul handily won the straw poll at the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans on Saturday, but the real surprise was former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman’s strong second-place finish. Paul, who lost last year by just one vote, isn’t considered to be a viable presidential nominee, so Huntsman’s campaign may see a boost from his showing. Mitt Romney, considered to be the GOP’s frontrunner, has vowed to skip all straw polls this year. He came in fifth anyway, behind Paul, Huntsman, Michele Bachmann, and Herman Cain.