On Michele Bachmann announcement day, a tea party nod to Rick Perry

First, a disclaimer: The poll was completely unscientific. Some 160 tea partyers from around the country had gathered at the Washington headquarters of FreedomWorks, a conservative group that trains tea partyers in political organizing and advocacy. With reporters watching, the assembled activists were asked for a show of hands on the Republican presidential candidates.

The winner: Texas Gov. Rick Perry. He isn’t a candidate yet, and it’s not certain he ever will be. But Governor Perry’s “victory” is just one small indication that, were he to run, Perry would start with the goodwill of the GOP’s most energetic wing.

Michele Bachmann, the Minnesota congresswoman who formally announced her presidential campaign Monday morning in Iowa, came in a close second. Ron Paul, the libertarian-leaning Texas congressman, came in third. “Undecided” also did well.

In interviews, many tea partyers said they were glad to have many acceptable choices. In the straw poll, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was booed when his name came up, but without exception, activists said they would vote for him in the general election if he gets the Republican nomination. But some said they didn’t think Mr. Romney would get the nomination, despite his strong showing in both national polls and surveys of early nominating states.

“It’s just name ID,” says Jebb Young from Little Rock, Arkansas. “He didn’t win last time, which tells you something.”

The Republican habit of nominating the “next in line” candidate is a thing of the past, before new media made it easier for newcomers to break through, says Mr. Young, who is sporting a big “Perry 2012 President” button.

Why Perry? He has the “right attitude” toward the federal government; he believes in the 10th amendment, which reserves power to the states; and he has long executive experience, 10-1/2 years as Texas governor, Young says.

“People like cheerful candidates who can win,” he adds.

Howard Hellwinkel, a tea party activist from New York’s 19th Congressional District, north of New York City, says he’s leaning toward Congresswoman Bachmann, but isn’t firmly committed. “She’s a motivator,” he says. “She’s a good leader like Ronald Reagan – she would let her management team take care of the details.”

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