CPAC straw poll: Paul 25% Rubio 23% Santorum 8% Christie 7% Ryan 6% Walker 5%

[Maxwell]

So Newt "I Support Gay Marriage" Gingrich is allowed to show up? Newt "I think climate change is real and i did a PSA with Nancy Pelosi about it" Gingrich? Jesus, c'mon on conservatives, be consistent.

[Maxwell]

I think Rubio and Paul fight for first, with Cruz taking a surprising third or fourth (behind Santorum maybe) and then the rest of the field.

[Maxwell]

My guess

1. Marco Rubio
2. Rand Paul
3. Paul Ryan
4. Ted Cruz

I think Ryan will do much worse than third. Conservatives are kind of upset at him for some reason, but I'm not sure what it is.

[Maxwell]

KY Senator Rand Paul: 26%
FL Senator Marco Rubio: 20%
TX Senator Ted Cruz: 7%
WI Congressman Paul Ryan: 6%
SC Senator Tim Scott: 6%
Neurosurgeon Ben Carson: 6%
LA Governor Bobby Jindal: 5%
Former PA Senator Rick Santorum: 4%

The rest are insignificant.

I really think its going to be between Rubio and Rand, with a possible strong showing from Paul Ryan, Ted Cruz, Tim Scott, Ben Carson, or Bobby Jindal. Santorum even, but I don't think that's especially likely.

[Maxwell]

Santorum delivered that speech extremely well and it was well-written. With that being said, the french revolution stuff was ridiculous and insulting.

[Maxwell]

David Catanese at therun2016.com also gives out letter grades for speeches from both days:

Jindal: B+
Paul: A
Perry: C-
Rubio: A-
Ryan: B
Santorum: B

Is Marco Rubio's speech REALLY that good? I thought that "We don't need new ideas, the idea is AMERICA" was a really silly and ridiculous line and showed how much of a lightweight he is.

Come on, they have to give Santorum more credit.

[Maxwell]

Seeing Donald Trump speak was just depressing. So much for hoping that he would call out Obama on his elementary school report card.

[Maxwell]

Christie got 4th without even being invited. I think that's great news for him. Also, not surprised Santorum in third: the guy delivered a speech that definitely works to that crowd.

Walker beating Jindal can't be good for Jindal's presidential ambitions.

[Maxwell]

Palin placed in the top 10....bhahahahahahaha

Not too surprising considering the response from that crowd. They still eat it up.

[Maxwell]

What is it that Conservatives like about Ryan? Among all the slimy, hypocritical, self-satisfied little pricks of the party, he stands out for his incompetence at PR.

I don't think they do too much anymore, considering he almost lost 5th Place in CPAC to the Wisconsin who constantly trails him by 10 points in Polls and is behind the guy who didn't even speak.