So today the Republicans had a presidential straw poll

to determine whom the Southern Republican Leadership Conference 2012 things should be the sacrificial lamb versus Obama.  And the results . . .

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney won the Southern Republican Leadership Conference 2012 presidential straw poll this evening. He beat Texas Rep. Ron Paul (R) by one vote, 439-438.

The full field (with number of votes):

Mitt Romney 24% (439)

Ron Paul 24% (438)

Sarah Palin 18% (330)

Newt Gingrich 18% (321)

Mike Huckabee 4%

Tim Pawlenty 3%

Mike Pence 3%

Rick Santorum 2%

Gary Johnson 1%

there is more . . .

When asked: Who would be your second choice in the Republican Primary Election for president?

Newt Gingrich    19%

Sarah Palin  18%

Mitt Romney    13%

Mike Huckabee  10%

Mike Pence    8%

Rick Santorum   7%

Gary Johnson    6%

Tim Pawlenty  6%

Ron Paul 5%

adding percentages for 1st and 2nd choice to gauge overall strength

Romney 37%

Gingrich 37%

Palin 36%

Paul 29%

Huckabee 14%

Pence 11%

Santorum 9%

Pawlenty 9%

Santorum 9%

Johnson 7%