With participants naming "reducing the size of federal government" as their top issue, the 74-year old libertarian hero (Ron Paul) captured 31 percent of the 2,400 votes cast in the annual contest, usually seen as a barometer of how the GOP's conservative wing regards their potential presidential candidates.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney finished second with 22 percent of the vote, ending a three-year winning streak at CPAC. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin finished third with 7 percent of the vote, followed by Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty at 6 percent and Indiana Rep. Mike Pence at 5 percent.

They were followed by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who tied at 4 percent. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, South Dakota Sen. John Thune and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour rounded out the results. Five percent of participants voted for "Other" and 6 percent was undecided.


Of the 2395 Polled-

when asked is Barak Obama is doing a good job - 2% Approved 98% Disapprove
when asked are the Republican in Congress doing a good job- 63% Approved 37% Disapprove

53% voted that they wished the GOP had a better field of candidates while 46% were generally satisfied with the field of potential candidates