Ron Paul Wins Straw Poll in New Hampshire

On Saturday, his 76th birthday, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas won the New Hampshire Young Republicans presidential straw poll.

Paul took 45 percent of the 302 votes cast while former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, who is leading in the Granite State, took second place with 10 percent.

Ron Pauls message of traditional conservatism -- fiscal restraint, limited government, and strong national defense -- is clearly the future of the Republican Party, said state Sen. Jim Forsythe, Pauls New Hampshire chairman who spoke at the event.The other candidates know that and sound more like him every day. But there are convenient copies, and theres the real thing.

It takes more than a sound bite and a flip-flop to fool New Hampshire voters, added Forsythe. Thats why theres real momentum here for Ron Paul.

Gov. Rick Perry of Texas and U.S. Rep. Thad McCotter of Michigan tied for third with 8 percent followed by former Gov. Gary Johnson of New Mexico with 6 percent. Two favorites of the tea party -- businessman Herman Cain and U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota -- took 5 percent each. Former Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah, former U.S. Sen Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and former Gov. Buddy Roemer of Louisiana garnered 3 percent each.