5th place, Jeb Bush 8%

4th place, Ben Carson 11%

3rd place, Ted Cruz 12%

2nd place, Scott Walker 21%

1st place, Rand Paul 26%

Regardless of what you think, this is an important barometer leading into 2016.

This win adds credibility to the candidacy for the winner of this straw poll.  In this case, a close 2nd place is helpful for Walker.

Plenty of things can (and will) happen between now and 2016, but getting off to an early, good start is very important.  I can testify personally that starting late with little money is not a winning formula in most important political races.

People willing to honestly look at history generally agree that when Republicans nominate a strong conservative for President, they tend to win the White House.  When they nominate a moderate (like they have most recently), they have lost.

Regardless of the eventual nominee, Republicans would do well to remember in the meantime that conservatives are watching what they do between now and then in Congress on a number of issues.  Issues like repealing Obamacare, Defending unborn children, Immigration, Net neutrality, Taxation and Spending.  Poor performance on these issues by Republicans could still cost the Republicans the White House.

American conservatives are watching.

***Gordon Howie is an author and CEO of Life and Liberty Media***

     “It’s not about right or left, it’s about Right or Wrong.”

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