Richert: GOP Straw Poll Relevant

Kevin Richert/Idaho Statesman sez the nonbinding straw poll being conducted by the Idaho GOP Friday has a purpose: “Sure, it’s (the straw poll) gimmicky; with voters paying $30 for the privilege of casting a ballot, this isn’t exactly representative politics. But the straw poll could give us a sense of which faction of the Idaho GOP is more motivated: the Romney wing, or the Paul wing. Romney has long since secured backing from many of Idaho’s big-name Republicans, including Gov. Butch Otter, Sen. Jim Risch and Rep. Mike Simpson. Factor in Romney’s 2008 run, and the support base built along the way, and Romney’s Utah/Mormon Church connections, and you have an establishment candidate. Paul has secured endorsements from a few of the Legislature’s conservative hardliners, including Sen. Shirley McKague, R-Meridian; Rep. Pete Nielsen, R-Mountain Home; Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, a darling of the fed-bashing nullification movement; and Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol, the House’s resident tax scofflaw.” More here.

Question: Which followers do you think are more committed in Idaho — Ron Paul’s or Mitt Romney’s?