OCEAN SHORES — Republicans attending the annual Roanoke Conference this past weekend overwhelmingly favor Mitt Romney for president.
At the close of the conference Sunday, the former Massachusetts governor gathered 60 percent of the vote in a straw poll of some of the most prominent and active state GOP members.
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich was a distant second with 22 percent, followed by former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 9 percent each. Exact vote totals of the 159 ballots cast were not released.
For vice president, the Republicans favored Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (37 percent), followed by Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (17 percent), Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan (5 percent) and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (4 percent).
Even though he never chose to run, Daniels last year was the top choice of Roanoke attendees for president, while Romney was second.
Republicans hold their state caucuses — part of the process to apportion delegates for presidential candidates — March 3, which falls just three days before the coveted “super Tuesday” of March 6, when 10 states hold nominating contests. There is no Washington state primary this year because funding for it was eliminated by the Legislature.
The three-day conference, with about 400 in attendance, has become a key Republican strategy-planning gathering for state and national races.
Results of the Roanoke poll could be an indication about how state Republicans are leaning in the presidential race — largely for Romney. “We do our best to represent all the elements of our party, ” said Steve Buri, Roanoke Conference chairman. “But the caucuses brings out a different crowd, too. If I had to guess, I’d say there would be a similar outcome.”
Having the caucuses coming up with the race still so close could help generate more interest in Washington state. “It might be more meaningful this year,” Buri said..
Speakers this year were most passionate over the vice presidential choice.
In support of Rubio, Paul Hess of King County said the Florida senator was “the most articulate spokesman we have in our party for fiscal restraint.”
“Let me say the last thing, he’s Hispanic, and that will help us,” Hess added.
Others who were mentioned for vice president but drew no votes were former Bush administration Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Santorum. There was no mention of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin or Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, who both received votes last year.
Buri believes the support for Rubio is because he is “one of the people that Republicans view as a top-tier possible presidential candidate.” The same could be said for Ryan or even Daniels.
“It’s reflective of the fact that there are some other good candidates who might be great vice presidential additions that are not part of the presidential nomination process,” Buri said.
The main state goals going out of the conference, he added, are to win more legislative seats and the governor’s race. Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna, the state Attorney General, was present for the entire conference.
“There is just a party unity that is very helpful going into the remainder of 2012,” Buri said, adding that “Roanoke is for Republicans of all stripes.”
Buri, a Newcastle city council member who helped start Roanoke three years ago, is stepping down as chairman but will still be on the event’s board of directors. He vowed Roanoke would be back at Ocean Shores in 2013.
“Ocean Shores has always been very good to us,” Buri said. “The Convention Center and the businesses there have been fantastic.”
The new Roanoke chairman will be Eric Garcia, currently the event’s treasurer and a past aide to former Congressman Jack Metcalf.
“It’s been an honor for me to lead an organization that I believe filled a niche that was needed in the party,” Buri said.
Angelo Bruscas, a Daily World writer, can be reached at 537-3916, or by e-mail at abruscas@thedailyworld.com
