Scott Walker Gets Some Love at CPAC (Even Though He Doesn't Bother to Show)

But really, that's not much to take to the bank when you end up in a tie with Rick Santorum.

Conservative Political Action Campaign (CPAC)

2014 CPAC: Rand Paul wins second consecutive CPAC straw poll.  (Washington Post, 3/8/2014)

How's this for understatement?  The survey may not be too significant.

Also receiving votes.

• 2%
• Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee 
• Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal 
• Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin 
• Former Sec. of State Condoleezza Rice 
• 1%
• Former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels 
• Ohio Governor John Kasich 
• Indiana Governor Mike Pence 
• Ohio Senator Rob Portman 
• South Dakota Senator John Thune 
• Business Executive Donald Trump 
• Former Florida Congressman Allen West
• Less than 1%
• New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte 
• Kansas Governor Sam Brownback 
• South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley 
• New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez 
• South Carolina Senator Tim Scott Read

At CPAC, a GOP free-for all, by Dana Milbank.  (Washington Post, 3/7/2014)

Former winners:

• 2013:  Rand Paul
• 2012:  Mitt Romney
• 2011:  Rand Paul
• 2010:  Rand Paul
• 2009:  Mitt Romney
• 2008:  Mitt Romney
• 2007:  Mitt Romney
• 2006:  George Allen
• 2005:  Rudy Guiliani
• 2000:  George W. Bush
• 1999:  Gary Bauer
• 1998:  Steve Forbes
• 1995:  Phil Gramm
• 1993:  Jack Kemp
• 1987:  Jack Kemp
• 1986:  Jack Kemp
• 1984:  Ronald Reagan
• 1980:  Ronald Reagan
• 1976:  Ronald Reagan

Two winners on the list.

Why Scott Walker was smart to skip CPAC. (Washington Post, 3/7/2014)

From reason #4:  Going to CPAC = being in the media spotlight. But, it's also a place literally teeming with national reporters -- many of whom are watching every word, hand gesture and response from the crowd for signals as to whether you are connecting (or not).

Perhaps Walker realizes that he wouldn't hold up well to such scrutiny.

Characteristics of straw polls respondents:

• 46% in the 18-25 age range  (42% of registrants are students)
• 63% male
• 78% subscribe to this core belief:  My most important goal is to promote individual freedom by reducing the size and scope of government and its intrusion into the lives of its citizens. (Although I suspect most of the respondents give it the same lip service as Republican members of the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly.)
• 2% approve of Obama's job performance (vs. a recent polling average of 42.7% .)
• 48% approve of Republicans in Congress (vs. a recent polling average of 12% for Congress in general)

Outliers, in other words.