The New GOP

Romney Wins Straw Poll

Mitt is CPAC's most popular, Jindal is number two.

With Democrats controlling both branches of Congress and the executive branch, Republicans are scrambling to find a new leader. But who will fill the roll? Depending on how you read the indicators, it could be Mitt Romeny, the Massachusetts governor who, for the third time in a row, won conservative activist convention CPAC's annual straw poll. Romney won 20% of the vote, while Louisiana's Bobby Jindal won 14% without even being present. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (also absent) and firebrand Texas libertarian Ron Paul tied for third place. One person conservatives definitely don't want: George W. Bush, who drew comparisons to Obama for "big spending." Romney's first CPAC win, in 2007, launched the then little-known governor into the ring with the Republican Party's heavyweights; however, some would argue that Mitt's spectacularly costly, failed bid for presidential nominee means Romney's star is waning.