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In a non-shocking development, Kentucky junior Senator Rand Paul has won the 2013 CPAC Straw Poll. Paul, whose father Ron was a frequent winner on the straw poll circuit, beat out a field that included NJ Governor Chris Christie, Florida Senator Marco Rubio (winner of 2012 CPAC VP Straw Poll) and Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan.
Paul won with 25% of the vote, edging out Rubio with 23% and 2012 presidential candidate Rick Santorum was a distant third at 8%. Christie, who was not invited to CPAC, finished 4th at 7%.
Paul’s libertarianism is well-known but it is rather interesting that Rubio, who is far shorter on messages and solutions, came in so close to him. Also worth noting is the poor performance of apparent rising star Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Ryan.
