Rising Republican star U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky edged out Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio in a straw poll yesterday at a conservative conference that showcased the party’s new young talent, setting the stage for the 2016 presidential campaigns.
Thousands at the Conservative Political Action Conference cast ballots in the unscientific presidential preference poll, handing Paul 25 percent of the vote to Rubio’s 23 percent. Former Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum was third with 8 percent.
“Rand Paul has had a very good month. His filibuster gained him national recognition,” said Fergus Cullen, former chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party.
“I absolutely expect Rand Paul to be running for president. The torch has been passed to a new generation of Pauls,” Cullen said.
Paul endeared himself to conservatives last week with a 13-hour filibuster — a record in modern times. The filibuster, which
Thousands at the Conservative Political Action Conference cast ballots in the unscientific presidential preference poll, handing Paul 25 percent of the vote to Rubio’s 23 percent. Former Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum was third with 8 percent.
“Rand Paul has had a very good month. His filibuster gained him national recognition,” said Fergus Cullen, former chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party.
“I absolutely expect Rand Paul to be running for president. The torch has been passed to a new generation of Pauls,” Cullen said.
Paul endeared himself to conservatives last week with a 13-hour filibuster — a record in modern times. The filibuster, which