March 5 th, 06 Jim McLaughlin and Rob Schmidt
Methodology The annual straw poll was available to CPAC attendees from Wednesday, March nd to Saturday, March 5 th. A total of,659 CPAC attendees participated in the straw poll. Participants had the option to complete the straw poll via email or through the official CPAC App on their mobile device. Additionally, respondents had the ability to complete the straw poll in person at one of the seven stations available to participants at the event. Each CPAC attendee was assigned a unique, five digit PIN code with their registration materials. Respondents were required to enter their PIN code as well as the email used to register to complete the straw poll, ensuring that only CPAC registrants could participate.
80 70 Would You Consider Yourself? 66 60 50 30 8 0 0 6 0 A classical Reagan conservative A libertarian conservative A populist conservative 3
70 60 50 30 Most Important Issue For President (Choices Rotated) 49 6 0 0 0 Economic issues, like National security the economy in issues, like defeating general, jobs, taxes, radical Islamic terror government and ISIS spending and balancing the budget 3 Restoring honesty and integrity to government Social and cultural issues, like life, family, children and religious freedom Unsure 4
50 45 35 30 5 0 5 0 5 0 Thinking about the candidates for President, which of the following stances do you consider a deal-breaker, meaning that you would not vote for a candidate who holds that position? (Choices Rotated, Multiple Responses Accepted) 38 36 Expanding Medicaid under Obamacare in the states Supporting the government s use of eminent domain to take private property to give to another private entity 33 Supporting a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants 7 5 Supporting government-mandated price controls for prescription drugs Replacing the current tax code with a VATtype tax that would create a consumption based tax on goods and services 5
Which of the following comes closer to your own personal opinion about most Republicans in Washington? (Choices Rotated) They are doing a good job fighting for conservative principles and standing up to President Obama OR They are not fighting hard enough for conservative principles and are too willing to compromise with President Obama 80 7 60 0 0 0 Good Job Fighting Not Fighting Hard Enough Unsure 8 6
00 What do you think is a better way to reduce healthcare costs? (Choices Rotated) The government increasing regulations on hospitals, insurance and pharmaceutical companies by putting price controls on drugs and medical care OR Giving the private sector and free markets more of an ability to determine the costs of care, which will increase competition and lower costs 80 60 93 0 0 3 Increasing Regulations Private Sector Unsure 4 7
The U.S. Constitution grants authors and inventors the exclusive right to their creations, like the books they write and the technology they invent. These creations are known as intellectual property. Do you think that? (Choices Rotated) Congress should pass legislation to WEAKEN these Constitutional rights because patents and copyrights are outdated concepts. OR Congress should pass legislation to STRENGTHEN these Constitutional rights because inventors and authors should be rewarded for their efforts. 00 80 60 8 0 0 5 Weaken Strengthen Unsure 3 8
As you may know, there is now a vacancy on the Supreme Court since the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia. Republican Leaders in the Senate have committed to block anyone President Obama nominates. Do you think? (Choices Rotated) Republican Senators should HOLD with the Senate Leadership and BLOCK President Obama s nominee for the Supreme Court. OR Republican Senators should BREAK with the Senate Leadership and FORCE a vote on President Obama s nominee for the Supreme Court 00 80 60 8 0 0 Hold/Block Break/Force Unsure 6 9
Cruz Rubio Trump Kasich Carson Sanders Bloomberg Clinton Other Und. 0.3 4 8 Vote: President (First Choice) 5 30 0 5 0 5 0 5 30 35 45 0
Vote: President (Second Choice) Rubio Cruz Kasich Trump Carson Bloomberg Clinton Sanders Other Und. 4 4 7 9 8 6 9 0 5 0 5 0 5 30 35
Vote: President (Combo Ballot) Cruz 6 66% Rubio 30 9 59% Kasich 8 8 6% Trump 5 9 4% Carson 7 9% Sanders % Bloomberg % Clinton 0.3 % 0 0 0 30 50 60 70
Haley Kasich Fiorina Paul Rubio Walker Rice Carson Cruz Ryan Sasse Perry Christie Bolton Bush Trump Other Und. Vote: GOP Vice President 3 4 5 5 6 0 4 6 8 0 4 7 8 9 9 3
Vote: GOP Vice President (By Vote for President) Tot. Cruz Rubio Trump Kasich Haley % 3% 9% % 4% Kasich % 7% 5% 5% 8% Fiorina % 5% 9% 8% 8% Paul 9% % 4% 7% 8% Rubio 9% 4% 6% 5% % Walker 8% % 7% 8% % Rice 6% 4% 7% 6% % Carson 5% 5% % 8% 3% Cruz 5% 5% 3% 3% % Ryan 4% % 7% % 6% Sasse 3% 5% % % % Perry % 3% % 0.3% % 4