Ron Paul Wins GOP Straw Poll; Cain Tops Perry

Supporters of Ron Paul continue to prove their savvy at winning straw polls. This time, Paul walked off with the today's Values Voter Summit straw poll in Washington, DC, taking 37% of the vote, Politico reports. The event for social conservatives gave Herman Cain 23%, Rick Santorum 16%, and Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann both 8%. It seems pro-Paul voters signed up en masse yesterday to ensure a winning vote, Slate reports.

Given Paul's last-minute turnout, what does the poll really mean for Republican presidential contenders? Social conservatives are liking Santorum and have lost interest in Bachmann, Politico notes. Plus, Perry lost ground for calling critics of his immigration policy "heartless," while Cain swept up the crowd with a moving speech, says McClatchy. “Those results probably aren’t accurate,” said one voter. “Cain wowed everybody. He’s good.” (More Ron Paul stories.)