Romney gets solid win in Michigan straw poll

Michigan native Mitt Romney trounced his Republican presidential rivals in a Michigan straw
poll even though he isn't participating in straw polls.

As expected, Romney won the poll of GOP activists Sunday during the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference. He won 51 percent of the 681 votes cast, while Texas Gov. Rick Perry earned 17 percent.

Both candidates spoke at the conference Saturday.

Businessman Herman Cain and Texas Congressman Ron Paul each got about 8 percent. Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum each got less than 4 percent.

Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman got 2 percent. Michigan Congressman Thad McCotter, who dropped out of the race Thursday, got less than 1 percent.

The poll was sponsored by the National Journal Hotline.